Prompt: You will prepare and deliver a special occasion/commemorative speech. You may select any of the types provided in the Special Occasion chapter in the textbook. These may include tributes, toasts, commencement ceremonies, and eulogies. Do not worry about your class being your audience and appealing to them in this speech; you will create this imaginary situation and an imaginary audience (it could be at an award’s ceremony, a father’s day brunch, Christmas, a funeral, etc.).
Details:
· Your speech should be
2-4 minutes in length.
· This speech should be delivered
extemporaneously. You cannot read from a manuscript; rather, you should create notecards or a keyword outline (different from the outline you turn in) of one page to deliver the speech from.
·
Professional dress (business casual) required: no hats, hoodies, clothing that is distracting from your message (t-shirts with words or messaging), athletic apparel, etc.
Required Documents:
· You must turn in a
full-sentence outline with your speech. Use the outline templates provided on Blackboard to ensure you have all the required elements.
· Sources are not required in your speech; however, please provide an APA reference sheet for any quotes or sources that are not personal.
Keys for Success:
·
For special occasion speeches, focus on big ideas: this is not an informative speech. Your main points should focus on big ideas (character traits, etc.). Your supporting material should be specific details that illustrate these traits.
·
Have a clear organizational pattern: there are a few organizational patterns listed in the book for these speeches. It is easy to think that because it is so short, it doesn’t need an organizational structure, but it still does, or it will become meandering.
·
Familiarize, don’t try to memorize (or read): The key to extemporaneous speaking is not memorizing your speech, but being very familiar with the overall ideas presented in the speech and the organization. You should practice several times before speech day.
·
Read the rubric: as you prepare, look at the elements on the rubrics for the speech and outline. Is everything there?
