Presentation Slides – Grading Rubric
Deadlines:
- If you are scheduled to present during Week 4, submit your draft slides by Class 6.
- All other students must submit their draft slides by Class 8.
You are encouraged to revise your slides after receiving feedback. Revisions may improve your presentation, but your slide draft grade is based only on what you submit by your deadline (Class 6 or Class 8).
Criteria | Excellent | Good | Needs Work | Not Demonstrated | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Slides – Images | Relevant, labeled, and credited; no screenshots used (unless pre-approved) | Mostly relevant; minor issues with labeling or crediting | Poorly chosen images or unclear labeling; some screenshots used | Images are irrelevant, confusing, or mostly screenshots without prior approval | /4 |
Annotated Bibliography | Clear and informative annotations explaining how each source was used | Annotations present but not always clear or detailed | Generic or vague annotations | Missing or unannotated bibliography | /4 |
Slide Text Limit | Entire slide deck has no more than 100 words total (excluding bibliography) | 101–120 words total | 121–150 words total | Over 150 words or no effort to condense text | /4 |
Structure & Flow | Clear, logical structure; ideas progress smoothly; appropriate number of slides for topic and timing | Structure mostly clear; some minor imbalance or transitions that could be improved | Noticeable issues with organization or timing; difficult to follow in places | Disorganized or confusing; slides appear random or disconnected | /4 |
Reminders:
- Word limit: Your slides (excluding bibliography) should contain no more than 100 words total. This is because slides are meant to support what you say—not replace it. Reading slides while hearing something different is hard for an audience to follow.
- Screenshots:
Avoid screenshots unless cleared with the instructor.
- You may use a screenshot of your own work only if it is clear and visually effective. Avoid blurry photos of handwritten notes or messy formulas.
- Do not use screenshots of formulas from books or papers. These are often hard to read and understand in a presentation. If you believe an exception is needed, you must get approval in advance.
- As a rule of thumb, plan for about one slide per minute. Most strong presentations will have 6–10 slides total—each focused on a key idea and designed to support what you say.
- Keep slides visual and concise.
- AI Policy: Remember to follow the course AI policy when researching and preparing your slides. AI can help with brainstorming or organizing ideas, but your slides must reflect your own understanding and voice.