BIOL368/F16:Presentation Rubric

Your journal club and research project presentations (October 11, October 25, November 8, November 22, December 13) will be evaluated on the following four categories. Each category will be rated as either accomplished, proficient, developing, or novice, and points will be assigned to each category accordingly.

Content

• The content described in the assignment is complete and accurate.
• The central message is compelling (precisely stated, appropriately repeated, memorable, and strongly supported).
• Explanations are clear, demonstrating your understanding of the journal club article or research project.
• Slow beginning with sufficient background and definitions to understand the talk.

Organization

• The organizational pattern (specific introduction and conclusion, sequenced material within the body, and transitions) is clearly and consistently observable, is skillful, and makes the content of the presentation cohesive.
• Outline is given and followed throughout the talk.
  • Outline states message of the sections of the talk, not just “introduction”, “results”, “conclusion”
• The talk has a logical flow.
• The talk follows the three-part framework of “tell them what you’re going to say; say it; tell them what you said”.

Visuals (slides)

• Please follow the Presentation Guidelines.
  • Every slide has a title that is the main message of the slide.
  • Entire content of slide is visible from the back of the room under ambient lighting conditions (color choice, size of fonts, etc.).
  • Layout of slides is simple
  • Emphasis is on important information
  • Appropriate figures are used to illustrate concepts
  • Slides are polished: no typos, phrasing is consistent on entire slides (periods vs. no periods; complete sentences vs. phrases), figures are clear, etc.
  • Appropriate citations are used and a list of references is provided at the end of the talk.

Speaking style (language and delivery)

• Speaker is knowledgeable, well-prepared, and well-practiced
  • Speaker appears polished and confident
  • Attitude engages audience (could be friendly, calm, enthusiastic,…)
  • Speaker answers questions well
  • Emphasis on important information
• Delivery techniques (posture, gesture, eye contact, and vocal expressiveness) make the presentation compelling
  • Speaker talks to audience instead of reciting memorized lines or reading from cards.
  • Pace is not too fast, not too slow
• Language choices are imaginative, memorable, and compelling, and enhance the effectiveness of the presentation. Scientific words are pronounced correctly and confidently.
• Optional: use of pointer is steady, not circling or waving.

Your presentation must be given on time on the date assigned; failure to present on that day will result in a zero for that portion of the grade. Do not be late to class on the day of your presentation.