Analyzing real speakers with a public speaking rubric

When was the last time you had to speak in front of an audience? Learning to develop public speaking skills is essential in a modern world full of meetings, conferences, and networking events, and this practice closes module four with a hands-on speech analysis. If you want to sharpen your own delivery by watching real speakers, this is for you.

Why should you develop public speaking skills?

Public speaking is the act of performing a speech to a live audience in a structured manner, whether face-to-face or online. The goal is always the same: to inform, entertain, and persuade.

And here is why it matters so much. It is estimated that 60% to 70% of all jobs today involve some form of public speaking, no matter the industry you work in [00:37]. That is not a small number, and it means this skill follows you across every career path.

Good public speaking skills can have a huge impact on your career for a few concrete reasons:

• They let you demonstrate your knowledge.
• They show you can articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively.
• They reveal your confidence, which is what makes you stand out among others.

Once you appreciate public speaking as a valuable skill, you can build a speech that gets your message across and leaves a lasting impression.

What is public speaking? It is the act of delivering a speech to a live audience in a structured way, either in person or online, with the goal of informing, entertaining, or persuading them.

How does confidence shape your delivery?

The key to developing great delivery is confidence. This is not just a vague feeling; it is a state of mind that comes from feeling accepted and believing in your own ability, skills, and experience [01:11].

Confidence is what makes you stand out among other speakers. Two people can share the same knowledge, but the one who delivers it with conviction leaves the stronger impression.

So how do you build it? You train your voice, practice your techniques, and track your progress. When you measure how far you have come, you will be surprised at how much you have accomplished.

How can I become a more confident speaker? Practice your speaking techniques, train your voice, and track your progress over time. Confidence grows from believing in your own ability and reviewing what you have already accomplished.

What is rhetoric and why does it matter in a speech?

To be a good public speaker, you will have to learn to use rhetoric in your favor. But what does that word actually mean?

The concept has carried many meanings throughout history. Contemporary writers define rhetoric as communication that attempts to coordinate social action [02:36]. Its goal is to influence human choices on specific matters that require immediate attention.

Think of it in two steps:

1. Figuring out what needs to be communicated.
2. Doing that well by analyzing your situation and using rhetorical tools to craft a strategic, effective response.

That matters whether you are delivering a speech at a wedding, making a presentation at work, or participating in a debate with friends. When you recognize rhetoric as a valuable skill, you can shape a message that truly lands.

What is rhetoric in public speaking? Rhetoric is communication designed to coordinate social action and influence people's choices. It means analyzing your situation and using the right tools to craft a strategic, persuasive response.

How do you evaluate a speaker using a rubric?

The core exercise here is a speech analysis. You watch short presentations from three Platzi team members, faces you already recognize, and study how they present their topic to you.

Here is how to run the analysis:

• Download the rubric from the Resources section of the class.
• Watch each of the three speakers, and rewatch them if you want to catch more detail.
• Identify which elements from the module they are applying and which ones they are missing.
• Write your feedback for each speaker's performance in the comment section.

The point is not only to score them. You also practice giving constructive feedback, which trains your own ear for strong delivery.

So grab the rubric, watch closely, and think about what advice you would give each speaker. What feedback would you leave? Drop it in the comments and share what you noticed.