Spoken Word Poem & Performance Rubric
Student Name: ________________________________________
Student Grade (Out of 25 pts Total): _______________________
STYLE: Students writing
style or voice in the poem.
TOPIC: Topic of the poem
chosen by the student.
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE: Students
use of figurative language or
poetic devices in poem.
REVISIONS: Previous
drafts of poem turned in to
the teacher at the time of
performance
WRITING
Excellent Average Needs Improvement
Demonstrates a clear The writing style is The writing style was
voice in the poem that somewhat consistent inconsistent and did
is original and unique and unique to the not reflect a thought
to the student. Student student. Student didnt out finished product.
took advantage of take as much creative
creative liberties in chances in poem.
poetry.
One clear topic was One clear topic was Poem was inconsistent
selected by the student chosen and was and/or not guided by
and was supported by adequately supported one clearly chosen
subtopics or issues by subtopics or issues. topic.
creatively and
consistently.
Student demonstrated Student utilized some Lack of figurative
a mastery over the use figurative language language used in the
of figurative language. throughout poem. poem. Little to no
Multiple instances of Some instances of poetic devices used in
poetic devices used poetic devices used in the poem.
throughout the poem the poem.
for intentional effect.
All previous drafts of All previous drafts of Some previous drafts
the poem are attached. the poem are attached. of poem missing. Little
Shows insightful Shows some revisions to no clear revisions or
revisions with and steady progress of comments made on the
comments and shows poem to finished drafts to show
exponential growth to product. progression to finished
finished product. product.
 Performance
Excellent Average Needs Improvement
MEMORIZATION / Poem was clearly Poem was adequately Poem was not
DISFLUENCIES: Amount memorized. Less than memorized. 3 to 5 memorized, student
of pauses, likes, or ums 2 pauses or disfluencies disfluencies during read off hard copy.
during performance. during performance. performance. Over 5 disfluencies
during performance.

PRESENTATION Student spoke with a Student spoke clearly

ELEMENTS: Speaking confident and clear and intelligibly for
voice, eye contact, and speaking voice; most of the
gestures maintained eye contact performance;
with audience; used
appropriate gestures to
physically perform
piece.