We Toastmasters are good people - most of us are more comfortable commending rather than recommending.
Sometimes as evaluators, we will evaluate a speech which we honestly feel needs a lot of work or was poorly done. For such an evaluation, it is important to commend the speaker for what they did do well but it is equally important to address the deficiencies in the speech.
We can't just whitewash the speech and heap undue praise upon it. By not tackling issues and problems with a speech, we do a disservice to the speaker, to ourselves and to the club. Lack of sincerity is something that is noticed by the speaker and the group which hears the evaluation.
Being a good evaluator is being a good diplomat. Even speeches that need a lot of work have many elements that can be praised and part of the challenge is finding and bringing to light those elements. As an evaluator, you also can't ignore the negative aspects of the speech and pretend they are not there. You address shortcomings in a diplomatic way and give constructive, sincere recommendations for improvement.
Of course, an evaluation must take into account the level and nature of the speaker. Toastmasters delivering ice-breakers or their first few speeches do generally require a more gentle and supportive evaluation.
Evaluations are important, don't take the easy way out by being too nice. Address the tough issues in a diplomatic way. The speaker will grow and so will you as an evaluator.
