Hi Jane, I evaluate my students' presentations based upon a rubric I create for each assignment. This way they know exactly where the points are going to come from and how they will be earned. This really helps to guide the students. With shy students you can reduce much of their anxiety by putting them into presentation groups. (3-4 students per group). Then I assign each student in the group a topic for a specific length of time, say 5 minutes. On presentation day I have the group come to the front of the room and sit behind a table. This way there are 3-4 students sitting there so the shy student doesn't feel as exposed. I have the students remain seated during their presentations, again it keeps the spotlight reduced during presentation time for the shy student. I have found this method helps the shy students do their presentations and really helps them to build their confidence. In many cases by the end of the course they are able to stand up and present confidently. With poor presentations by students, I tell the class "that in addition to what has just been presented they might want to also look at" and then I hit on the key points that were left out. Gary