Haddon Robinson offers the following as ‘a comprehensive check-up: questions to ensure you are covering the essentials.

I think that such questionnaires are useful as starting-points.  However, when used as prescriptons for preaching excellence, they can lead to sermons that are predictable, formulaic and unimaginative.  In other words, they can be helpful servants, but rotten masters.  Preachers should used such tools regularly at the beginning of their ministry, and occasionally thereafter.  Once these ‘essentials’ have been covered, much interest and helpfulness can be generated precisely by the intelligent and creative breaking of some of these rules.

ORGANIZATION

Introduction

• Does the message get attention?
• Does it touch some need directly or indirectly?
• Does it orient hearers to the subject? Or to the main idea? Or to the first point?
• Is it the right length? Is there a specific purpose?

Structure

• Is the development clear? Is the overall structure clear?
• Does the sermon have a central idea? Can you state it?
• Are the transitions clear? Do they review?
• Is there a logical or psychological link between the points?
• Do the main points relate back to the main idea?
• Are the subpoints clearly related to their main points?

Conclusion

• Does the sermon build to a climax?
• Is there an adequate summary of ideas?
• Are there effective closing appeals or suggestions?

CONTENT

• Is this subject significant? Is it appropriate?
• Is the sermon built on solid exegesis?
• Does the speaker show where he or she is in the text?
• Is the analysis of the subject thorough? Logical?
• Does the speaker convince you that he or she is right?
• Does the content show originality?

Supporting material

• Is the supporting material logically related to its point?
• Is it interesting? varied? specific? sufficient?

Style

• Does the speaker use correct grammar?
• Is the speaker’s vocabulary concrete? Vivid? Varied?
• Are words used correctly?
• Does the choice of words add to the effectiveness of the sermon?

DELIVERY

Intellectual Directness

• Does the speaker want to be heard? Is the speaker alert?
• Do you feel the speaker is talking to you?
• Is the speaker friendly?
• Does the delivery sound like lively conversation?
• Are words pronounced correctly?

Oral Presentation

• Is the voice easy to listen to? Is there clear articulation?
• Is there vocal variety? Does the pitch level change?
• Is there a variety of force? Does the rate vary enough?
• Does the speaker use pauses effectively?

Physical Presentation

• Is the speaker’s entire body involved in the delivery?
• Does the speaker gesture?
• Are the gestures spontaneous? Wide? Definite? Are there distracting mannerisms?
• Is the posture good? Does the speaker look alert?
• Is there good facial expression?

AUDIENCE ADAPTATION

• Is the sermon adapted to hearers’ interests? Attitudes?
• Is the message related to hearers’ knowledge? Does it meet needs?
• Does the speaker look hearers in the eye?
• Do you feel the speaker is aware of audience response?

In The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching, ch. 196