Walkup's Way Home Critiquing Presentations  
Student Critique Form
 

 

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Introduction:

  •  What did the reader do to obtain your interest at the very onset?
    • ask a question
    • tell an anecdote
    • take a survey
    • use audio or visuals: music, video, book, diagram
    • open with a quote for thought
    • tell a pertinent joke
  • Did the introduction clearly state what was going to be covered?

Body:

  • Did the speaker clearly present the issues and the conflicts related to the issues?
  • Did the reader offer various solutions, while stating problems associated with each solution
  • Did the speaker make reference to some ethical theories we studies (examples below)?
Kingdom of Ends            Immanuel  Kant        1724-1804
  Are all people treated with the utmost dignity and respect?
(as ends and not as means - sanctity of life -worthy of infinity respect)
(poor, rich, young, old, intelligent, challenged, attractive, deformed..)
Categorical Imperative   Immanuel  Kant        1724-1804
  Could you logically will that this be a universal rule?
"Act so that the maxim [principle] of your action can be willed as universal law" Immanuel Kant
Divine Command Theory
  What did God command? 
Does the conclusion reflect the Judeo-Christian tradition? [It's OK if it doesn't]
(Thou shalt not steal.   Thou shalt not commit adultery)
Would God approve of your conclusion?
Utilitarianism      John Stuart Mill                 1806 - 1872
  Pain and pleasure are the measure - does this yield more pleasure according to the utilitarian calculus?
 (Is pleasure the appropriate criteria by which to judge this actions?)
Did you remember to include all "sentient" (feeling) beings (animals)?
Ethical Egoism     Ayn Rand                          1905 - 1982
  If we practice the virtue of. selfishness (self-development), letting nothing get in our way, we will improve ourselves & have more to contribute to the world, thus the world will be a better place
How is this true (or not true) in relation to this particular oral report?
Virtue Ethics  Alasdair MacIntyre  Aristotle
  Would a person who has lived a virtuous life tend to agree with the position?

Patience, goodness, truthfulness, courage...the right response would come naturally from  virtuous persons who  are free   because they are control of their actions and behaviors which are directed towards the good (as opposed to  unvirtuous persons who are slaves to their  emotions,  passions,  greediness, self-esteem, self-image, transient needs...)
Ethics of Care, Feminist Ethics Carol Gilligan and Annette Baier 
  Is this the most caring way to respond to this particular situation at hand?
Forget about the mechanical rules created by men & just think about care
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Conclusion:
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  • Do you agree with the conclusion of the oral report? Why or why not?
  • Did the conclusion naturally follow from arguments and evidence presented?
  • Was the conclusion memorable? Was there something powerful in the conclusion that you will take away with you and think about?

General Questions: - Students may want to comment on the following

  • Did the speaker present himself professionally (eye contact with audience, no self-deprecating behavior)?
  • What did you like best about the report?
  • What were the strengths of the report
  • Which area would you like to have seen improved - & how?
  • Did the presenter do his best to make the report interesting to the class? Was it well organized, easy-to-follow, easy to hear, enticing introduction,  effective ending?
  • Any general comments or suggestions?
   
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