Essay Instructions: Select your type of speech occasion and intended audience: To plan your speech, it might be easier to decide if you will role play or create a real occasion before you decide on the type of speech you'll give. If you role play, this means you will speak about something that might NOT really happen in your life. If you choose a real occasion, then you will speak about something that has or will happen in your life. Look at the examples below. Once you have determined if you will role play or create a real occasion, you will do one of the following at that special occasion (when you speak online in front of classmates): 1. introduce someone who will give a lecture/presentation at a special event; 2. present or accept an award; or 3. deliver a toast, tribute, or eulogy. Be sure you understand what each of these types of speeches means by studying Thinkwell. Since most of you will not be in the actual room for the occasion, you must have a context and specific audience in mind for the speech. When you give your speech online to classmates and me, we will imagine YOU are at that event and we will be observers. If you want your classmates and me to be the real audience for your speech, you may invite people to be in the room with you during the speech. Some students just say that Prof. B has asked that students bring people to the speech session to see what online speech is like so they can keep the award, etc. a secret. See more below.
Listed below are some examples to help you think of your own speech topic. Just keep in mind that your classmates and I will be listening to your speech, but we will probably not be the actual audience. You will include words in your opening in the introduction that indicate what the event or function is. Do not state your name unless you would do so at the event.
Role play examples: 1.) Introduce Gus Bilirakis who will speak to the University Club. 2.) Present the Athlete of the Year Award to your best friend at a community event. Accept the Nobel Peace Prize. Caution: One student who accepted an Academy Award didn't do as well because she just sort of gushed and pretended to be flattered; she imitated poor speakers rather than the excellent ones. 3.) Deliver a toast to Bill Gates at his birthday party. Pay tribute to a local hero at a community event. Deliver a eulogy for a fallen soldier at MacDill AFB. Deliver a eulogy/memorial speech for a famous person from the past or present at a funeral/memorial service. NOTE: I've given you examples with some famous and not-so famous people. I offer these as food for thought, and you may substitute anyone and any occasion if you choose to role play.
Real situation examples: 1. One student introduced his wife (the main speaker) to the audience at an SPCA annual fundraiser. 2.) Several students have invited their mothers to be present during the speech but didn't tell them in advance the speech was about or for them. They gave their moms a framed certificate as a Best Mom Award. One semester, a mother invited her son to sit with her during the speech time slot and gave him a Great Kid Award. If there is someone special in your life, feel free to invite that person to be present during the speech, or call him/her up and do it via speaker phone while we listen. 3.) Lots of students have given wedding, birthday, or graduation toasts. One father paid tribute to his toddler son for helping keep him grounded and focused on his studies. Some students have paid tribute to other loved ones who have supported them during their college studies as a way to say thank you. The person to whom you pay tribute, doesn't have to be present, but you must pretend you are speaking to that person at a specific occasion. Some students have given wonderfully touching eulogies for family members and friends. I prefer you DO NOT give a eulogy for a pet.
Remember-- I want you to choose a possible real situation and give a great speech! Be creative and have fun! Choose something meaningful to you that will help you in your own life. Do not try to see how creative or crazy you can be; that is NOT the goal of this assignment. The idea IS for you to follow the guidelines and give a meaningful, real speech. Check with your instructor if you are unsure about anything related to this assignment.
· Submit to the Assignment Dropbox at least 2 days before you speak the information listed below in this format:
Type of speech occasion:
Intended audience:
Specific purpose:
Thesis:
Author, quote, name of website: (If author is unknown, write Anonymous)
Here is an example I've made up for you to see what I'm looking for:
Type of speech occasion: Present an award
Intended audience: Tampa Bay Research Institute Health Education Committee (HEC)
Specific purpose: I want my audience to know Dr. Akiko Tanaka deserves the HEC Inspiration Award.
Thesis: Dr. Akiko Tanaka, a clever thinker and dedicated supporter of our committee, deserves the HEC Inspiration Award.
Author, quote, name of website: Jack London, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." The Quotations Page
· Time limit: 2.5-3 minutes for the entire speech. Don't go over or under by much.
· Research: You must use at least one quote from a book of quotes or a website such as www.quoteland.com Look at the quote websites listed on the Mod 5 homepage. Do some research! You may ALSO quote a relative or come up with a quote from a movie, song lyric, TV commercial, or other such source, but do not just quote that person in your speech. You may also interview someone and use additional sources depending on the topic. Avoid reading a long poem; just choose relevant lines from the poem.
· Organize and fully develop the ideas: Follow the guidelines presented in Thinkwell. Try to create a theme and weave ideas around it. Be sure to include at least one narrative. Provide substantive information based on the 2-3 key points and not a long shopping list.
· Write an outline: I will not collect the outline; however, I do expect you to create and follow one.
· Work(s) Cited list: Put the quote citation on your outline.
· Cite sources in the speech: Carefully speak the quote(s) and cite the author of the quote(s) you use in the appropriate place in the speech. If the author is listed as Anon or Anonymous on the quote website, incorporate the quote using wording such as this: In the words of an anonymous author, "XXX." Be very careful in stating the author and his/her credentials, if necessary.
· Prop: You must use at least one prop. Be creative. For example, if you give an award, then have a plaque or certificate or something to hand to the person. Raise a glass to do a toast.
· Delivery: Speak from one note card on which you have written the key points. Try not to use cards at all. Know the speech ideas by heart (don't memorize words)--this is a special occasion to you and others, after all!! Please avoid reading to us. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse in front of your webcam. Pretend you are looking around the room at your real audience; do not just look at the camera but stay on camera (don't look at your monitor). You may stand or sit. Rehearse!
· Critique after the speech: We'll offer complimentary and constructive comments to let you know what you did well and what you need to work on.
4. Evaluation of oral presentation: Your grade will be based on meeting the guidelines for that type of speech, organization of the speech, content, use of narrative, use of appropriate quote, delivery, and use of prop. I'll be looking for you to apply what your Thinkwell professors have taught you. Have fun and enjoy your moment in the spotlight!
Evaluation of Special Occasion Speech
100 points
Length of presentation (2.5-3 min.)
INTRODUCTION
Uses a clever opening to get the audience's attention and let them know what kind of occasion it is
Creates a theme
BODY
Organizes ideas well
Presents sufficient facts, information, narrative/stories, etc. relevant for that kind of speech/fully develops the theme
CONCLUSION
Wraps it up neatly and precisely
DELIVERY
Uses a strong voice with appropriate inflection to keep everyone interested
Keeps direct eye contact with "audience"-- looks around not just at camera
Avoids reading from note card---talks to audience
Speaks clearly; enunciates carefully; avoids fillers such as “uh”
Uses appropriate vocabulary
Has good posture
Is professional, friendly, formal (whichever is appropriate)
OTHER
Follows the rules for that type of speech
Includes at least one narrative
Tasteful and appropriate topic and content
Uses quote effectively [quote from website or book of quotes required!!]
Cites quote correctly
Uses prop effectively [prop required!!]
Stays within the time limit of 2.5-3 minutes
Quoteland.com
