1.Set clear criteria: Before evaluating a speech, establish specific criteria to look for, such as organization, delivery, and content. This will help you to objectively analyze the speech.

2.Understand the purpose: Determine the speaker’s goal for their speech – to inform, persuade, entertain or inspire. This understanding will guide your evaluation.

3.Observe non-verbal communication: The speaker’s body language plays an important role in the effectiveness of their speech. Pay attention to their eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, and posture.

4.Listen carefully: Pay close attention to the speaker’s tone, pronunciation, pace, and voice modulation. These aspects contribute to the overall impact of the speech.

5.Analyze organization: Examine how well the speech is structured. An effective speech should have a clear introduction, body and conclusion.

6.Check for clarity and comprehension: Ensure that the speaker presents their ideas clearly and concisely while being easy to understand by the audience.

7.Assess supporting materials: In many speeches, speakers use evidence or examples to support their points. Evaluate the relevancy and effectiveness of these materials.

8.Examine logical coherence: Assess whether the arguments presented are logically sound and coherent throughout the speech.

9.Pay attention to transitions: Smooth transitions between points help keep audiences engaged and facilitate understanding of the content.

10.Evaluate presentation style: Analyze if the speaker’s style is engaging or if it distracts from the message they are trying to convey.

11.Note audience engagement: Keep an eye on audience reactions during the speech – laughter, applause or boredom can give insights into how well a speech has been received.

12.Be aware of biases: Be mindful of any preconceived notions or biases you may have about the speaker or topic when evaluating a speech fairly.

13.Constructive feedback: When providing feedback, focus on areas of improvement as well as the strengths of the speech. Be specific and constructive in your comments.

14.Contextual factors: Take into consideration factors such as audience demographics, cultural context or the venue when evaluating a speech.

15.Reflect and learn: After evaluating a speech, reflect on what you’ve learned from the process. This will help you enhance your own public speaking skills and your ability to assess speeches in future.

In conclusion, these 15 steps can help you effectively evaluate speeches, enabling you to provide constructive feedback and learn from others’ styles and techniques. Proper evaluation not only benefits the speaker but also improves your own understanding and abilities in public speaking.