Rubric excerpt:

• Voice projection: Audible to back row; varies volume to match tone; clear enunciation.
• Eye contact: Regularly scans entire audience; minimal reliance on script.
• Gestures: Purposeful, controlled, enhance meaning; avoid fidgeting.

Student critique (about 100 words): During last night's school play, I followed Jordan's performance closely. He knew his lines and his timing landed jokes well. From the middle rows, I could hear most lines, but friends in the back said some moments were hard to catch. Jordan often looked toward different sections of the audience, which helped connect scenes. His gestures matched the emotions, like open hands when pleading and quick steps when anxious. However, when music swelled, his voice didn't rise enough to carry. In the final scene, the big reveal sounded small, so the impact faded. Strong choices—just speak up consistently next time.

Based on the rubric and the student's critique, which delivery skill needs the most improvement?

Rubric excerpt:

• Voice projection: Audible across the room; varied volume supports meaning; precise articulation.
• Eye contact: Frequent, balanced audience scanning; minimal reading from page.
• Gestures: Intentional, visible, and aligned to ideas; avoid distracting movements.

Student critique (about 100 words): At the UIL poetry interpretation, Maya stood confidently at the microphone. Her voice filled the auditorium without shouting, and she shifted volume for whispers and crescendos that matched the poem's mood. She kept one hand on the binder and used the other for small, clear gestures that highlighted key images. The main area to improve is eye contact; she glanced up occasionally but mostly read from the page, so we missed some connection. Pauses were well timed, and articulation was crisp. Overall, the performance sounded rich and controlled, showing strong command of breath and pacing from start to finish today.

According to the rubric and critique, which delivery skill was demonstrated most effectively?

Rubric excerpt:

• Voice projection: Clear, appropriately loud, and well-paced for the space.
• Eye contact: Engages multiple audience sections; minimal dependence on notes.
• Gestures: Purposeful, well-timed, support meaning; avoid stiffness or fidgeting.

Student critique (about 100 words): At history night, our class reenacted a Texas Revolution town meeting. Luis memorized his lines and spoke loudly enough for families at the back. He looked around the audience when addressing townspeople, which made the scene feel real. But his hands stayed glued to the script folder, and when he finally moved them, the gestures seemed random, like quick flicks that didn't match his words. During the heated vote, his body stayed still instead of leaning in or opening up. If he frees one hand and plans a few purposeful motions, his delivery will underline the urgency of the moment.

Using the rubric and the critique, which delivery skill most needs improvement?

Rubric excerpt:

• Voice projection: Consistently audible with clear enunciation; adjusts volume for emphasis.
• Eye contact: Direct, steady connection with audience/camera; not overly dependent on notes.
• Gestures: Visible and meaningful; avoid movements that exit frame or distract.

Student critique (about 100 words): In our video announcement, Priya speaks on camera for thirty seconds. She centers herself and looks straight into the lens the entire time, which makes the message feel directed to viewers. Her voice is clear and loud enough over the background track, though it stays in the same pitch, so a few lines sound flat. She uses a couple of small waves and a thumbs-up, but some movements slip out of frame, so they don't add much. Pacing is steady and easy to follow. The strongest part is the focused gaze that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

Which delivery skill is demonstrated most effectively in this performance?

Rubric excerpt: Voice projection—audible to the back row without strain; Eye contact—sustained scanning of audience with minimal reading; Gestures—purposeful, matched to ideas, not distracting.

Student critique (100 words): In today's persuasive speech, Jordan organized ideas clearly and used open, steady eye contact across the room. His hands supported key points with simple, purposeful motions rather than fidgeting. However, his voice often dropped at the ends of sentences, making claims hard to hear from the middle rows. During emotional appeals, he leaned in but still spoke softly, so classmates asked him to repeat statistics. When questions began, his answers were thoughtful yet quiet. If Jordan projects consistently at a strong conversational level, his confident presence and effective gestures will finally reach every listener, including those in the back row.

Based on the rubric, which delivery skill should Jordan focus on improving?

Rubric excerpt: Voice projection—clear, strong, and natural; Eye contact—confident scanning with limited dependence on text; Gestures—controlled, purposeful, and supportive of meaning.

Student critique (100 words): At yesterday's UIL oral interpretation, Maya's voice filled the auditorium without shouting, and her pacing matched the script's mood shifts. She met listeners' eyes across sections, pausing confidently at transitions. The biggest issue was her hands: she repeatedly twisted her binder and tapped her fingers during dramatic pauses, drawing attention away from the poem's images. When emotions peaked, she overextended arm motions that didn't fit the narrator's tone. Even in the closing bow, the fidgeting continued. If Maya kept her gestures purposeful and still during quiet moments, her strong projection and poised eye contact would make the performance truly compelling.

According to the rubric, which delivery skill needs the most improvement in Maya's performance?

Rubric excerpt: Voice projection—audible and steady; Eye contact—regularly engages the full audience with minimal reading; Gestures—intentional, support emphasis without fidgeting.

Student critique (100 words): During the science fair presentation, Leila stood centered and connected with us through steady eye contact, scanning each group and holding looks just long enough to feel conversational. Her voice was clear, though she sped up on longer sentences and clipped a few key terms. Gestures were small and infrequent; she mostly kept one hand on the table, which limited emphasis on steps and results. When she did point to the model, the timing was precise. Overall, the clearest strength was how she saw the audience, not the note card, making everyone feel addressed and included throughout the talk today.

Based on the rubric, which delivery skill did Leila demonstrate most effectively?

Rubric excerpt: Voice projection—strong and clear for the space; Eye contact—frequent engagement with audience, not the script; Gestures—natural, purposeful, and suited to context.

Student critique (100 words): At the local museum's Texas Revolution reenactment, Rafael projected with confident volume that reached families at the back of the courtyard. His gestures felt authentic—measured salutes, careful pointing with the replica map—which added energy without becoming theatrical. But he read from a folded script for most lines, glancing up only at scene changes. During the Q&A, he looked toward the ranger instead of the crowd, so younger visitors lost focus. If Rafael memorizes key transitions and practices looking up while finishing sentences, his strong voice and purposeful movements will connect the story directly to the audience's eyes and attention better.

According to the rubric, which delivery skill should Rafael improve to strengthen his reenactment?