Home > Subjects > English > English level 1 > 1.7 Speech > Achievement criteria
- Subject: English
- AS: 90058
- Level: 1
- Credits: 3
- Internal
1.7 Deliver a speech in a formal situation
Achievement criteria
The level of achievement that you receive is decided by the quality of ideas, information, or opinions, and the delivery of language techniques suitable for the audience and the purpose of your speech. Each one of these parts is of equal importance.
On this page: Achievement | Achievement with Merit | Achievement with Excellence
Achievement
- Speak in a formal situation to communicate ideas with supporting detail.
- Structure content and use language and a level of formality appropriate to audience, situation, and purpose.
- Speak audibly to an audience using some appropriate eye contact, variation of voice, and body language.
Make sure you:
- have at least one central idea
- add some information to describe and support your idea(s)
- order your speech into a logical sequence with an introduction, middle, and conclusion
- use some language techniques to help make your meaning clear
- plan to use some appropriate gestures that help to explain your words
- greet the audience and use personal pronouns in your speech
- make regular eye contact with the audience
- have your speech on cue cards
- stand steady when speaking so you don't rock or sway
- speak clearly at a reasonable volume without mumbling
- speak at a reasonable pace
- try to speak for at least three minutes.
Achievement with Merit
- Speak in a formal situation to communicate ideas with supporting detail and explanation.
- Structure content and use language and a level of formality appropriate to audience, situation, and purpose.
- Speak audibly to an audience with some confidence using appropriate eye contact, variation of voice, and body language.
Make sure you:
- reach Achievement
- spend time working on an idea and consider it from all angles
- give detailed reasons as to why you are discussing these points
- have an interesting introduction and conclusion that the audience can relate to
- link ideas and details for a smooth structure
- use a variety of sentence structures to help emphasise your main points
- use a range of language techniques such as word choice, poetic, and sound devices
- use a variety of body and voice techniques
- use cue cards correctly by only looking at them occasionally
- know most of your speech off by heart
- look at the audience for most of your speech.
Achievement with Excellence
- Speak in a formal situation to communicate ideas convincingly with supporting detail and explanation.
- Structure content and use language and a level of formality appropriate to audience, situation, and purpose, with effect.
- Speak audibly to an audience with confidence and impact, consistently using voice, eye contact, and body language for deliberate effect.
Make sure you:
- reach Achievement with Merit
- present original ideas and/or a unique perspective
- make it 'real' and interesting for the audience
- structure material in an unique way, possibly by connecting the introduction and conclusion so that your speech is memorable
- use a range of sentence structures for deliberate effect
- speak confidently using a variety of language and delivery techniques throughout your speech
- have well-rehearsed gestures and voice techniques integrated into your speech
- combine complex ideas, language, and structure successfully in your delivery
- know your speech thoroughly so you don't need to refer to your cue cards.
