ENGL 115 Assignment 2

ENGL 115  Assignment 2 | Canvas University

Speech 4: Praise Speech

This assignment was locked Aug 21 at 6pm.

Purpose:  The purpose of this final speech assignment is to bring together the various skills you’ve developed in delivery and speech organization into a brief, expressive speech.  In general, you need to think of a person you know personally and who has influenced your life in a positive way. The person could be a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, coach, teacher, mentor, counselor, etc.  This type of speech is known as an epideictic speech.  Examples of these types of speeches include eulogies, roasts, weddings, honorary inductions, award ceremonies, etc. 

 General Expectations

1.     Your speech should be 2 to 3 minutes long.

2.     On the day of your presentation, you are only required to present your speech.

 Organization Criteria

1.     For the introduction: (a) include an attention-getting device and (b) preview your main points.   

2.     For the body, use two to four main points.  There are different ways you can structure your speech.  Two suggested approaches to organizing your presentation are:

o    According to the person’s major personality characteristics, illustrating each of these characteristics and how they have influenced you. 

o    According to who this person is, what that person accomplished, and how this person directly affected you.

3.     For the conclusion, be sure to: (a) restate your main points and (b) leave us with some concluding remark(s)—inspirational words, quote, reading, etc.

Content Criteria

1.     You will want to think about and adapt the language that you use in your speech.  Praise is often accompanied by vivid and compelling language.  In short, your goal is to be as descriptive as possible in evoking this person’s spirit and getting your audience to appreciate what kind of person they are/were and what it is/was like to know them.

2.     You are building a case that your chosen person is worthy of praise.  The content of your speech should be structured around “evidence” that your chosen person has had a positive impact on your life. 

3.     The types of “evidence” that most students use to support their case for praiseworthiness are stories, examples, facts, descriptions, and testimonials.  In addition, to make the speech more ceremonial, I ask that you use at least one additional external resource.  These could include (but is not limited to):

·         A one famous quote that helps praise this person.

·         A reading of 4 to 10 lines (e.g. song lyrics, a poem, scripture, etc).

·         Your chosen quotes/reading(s) may be used in any part of the speech (introduction, body, or conclusion).

·         Finally, you do not have to paint your chosen person as a saint.  We often learn a great deal from or are influenced by people that have compelling but troubled lives. 

Note: No visual aids are allowed for this speech.

 Outline Criteria

1.     You must complete an outline that is structured around an introduction, body, and conclusion. 

·         You must include your citations and transitions (where appropriate).

·         The thesis statement and supporting points must be written in complete sentences, not words or sentence fragments. Other supporting material should be written completely enough to be understood by the instructor.

·         The outline must be typed, and it must be submitted on the day of your speech.

·         If you do not have an outline for the instructor at the time of your speech, your grade will be deducted 10%.

·         You must provide a works cited list for your quote and reading.

·         There are two sample outlines on Canvas.

·         There is a blank outline template (Word file) on Canvas.

Delivery Criteria

1.     Your mode of delivery should be extemporaneous.  You are encouraged to use notes cards to aid you in your delivery, but you should not need more than one or two.

2.     Since this is our final presentation, and it deals with a ceremonial subject, a premium is put on using your voice and body expressively. This means that there should be clarity in voice projection and maintaining an appropriate rate, but also making consistent eye contact, employing some variety in your vocal tone, using the performance space, gesturing, and using your body language to help convey your ideas.