Which of the areas of speech criticism is the most difficult to evaluate?

The area of speech criticism that is considered the most difficult to evaluate is the ethics of the speaker. This stems from several complex factors inherent in ethical evaluations. Ethics involves subjective judgments about what is right or wrong, and these judgments can vary significantly depending on individual values, cultural norms, and situational contexts.

Evaluating the ethics of a speaker requires an understanding of not only their intentions and motivations but also the broader implications of their message and behavior. This can be particularly challenging when audiences have differing perspectives on ethical standards or when the speaker’s message intersects with controversial social or political issues. Moreover, some ethical considerations might be less visible or overt but can still have a profound impact on how the speech is perceived and received.

In contrast, the other areas of criticism, such as the results of the speech, the artistic nature of the speech, and the validity of the speaker's ideas, tend to be more objectively measurable. For instance, audience reactions and tangible outcomes can evaluate results, while artistic elements can often be analyzed based on established criteria in the field of rhetoric. The validity of ideas can be assessed through logical reasoning and evidence. Thus, while all areas of criticism have their complexities, the ethics of the speaker stand out due to their inherently subjective nature