TRIBUTE SPEECH－500 words

TRIBUTE SPEECH ASSIGNMENT

TIME LIMIT: 3-4 minutes

OBJECTIVES:

1. To pay tribute to a person, group of people, institution or an idea.

2. To practice planning and delivering a commemorative speech.

3. To give students experience in speaking from manuscript.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Your tribute speech gives you an opportunity to formally honor a person, group, institution or idea. Choose someone, something, or an idea that has been particularly influential in your life. This could be someone very close to you, like a family member, or it could be someone you’ve met only once or even have never met. Maybe you came across an idea in a book that really had a profound influence on you.

For example, you might honor someone who served as a mentor to you as you were going through high school or college, praise a person or group who has made a difference in your life or the lives of others, eulogize a loved one who has died, celebrate the anniversary of your school, business, or church, or memorialize a significant event (e.g. ending of Vietnam War).

REQUIREMENTS & EVALUATION CRITERIA:

1. You must have an audience of at least 6 people over the age of 16, including your camera operator. You should pan your audience before you begin your speech, begin your speech without stopping or splicing the video, then pan the audience again at the conclusion of your speech. Failure to have less than the required 6 audience members will result in failing the assignment.

2. A preparation outline is NOT required. This speech should be written out and delivered from manuscript (word-for-word). The manuscript should be typed, triple-spaced, large enough font to be seen easily, and be printed out on only one side of the page. Each page should end with a complete thought. You can mark up your manuscript with reminders for eye-contact, breathing, smiling, holding up visual aids, or use a highlighter to distinguish certain points.

3. Use language imaginatively and use this opportunity to further experiment with using the language devices discussed in Chapter 12 of the text.

4. Rehearse your speech thoroughly. Practice your speech in front of a mirror or friends to increase eye-contact, enthusiasm, sincerity and conversational delivery. Demonstrate that you know the subject of your speech well by not being overly dependent on your manuscript.

5. Visual aids are optional for this speech, however using a visual can really add a personal touch or make the speech more memorable.

6. Attach your typed Manuscript to the assignment in Connect. After you submit the video, there is a place to attach documents. Browse your computer to find your speech Manuscript. In order for your speech to count as “on time” you must submit your typed Manuscript at the time you submit your video and by the due date on the calendar.

7. Practice your speech several times before you deliver your speech in front of your audience. Check the timing to know what will fit in the 3-4 minute time limit and make cuts as necessary.

8. After you submit your speech video, you should watch your video again, and complete the self-evaluation on Connect. This counts as part of your speech grade.

9. This assignment is worth a possible 50 points. Evaluation criteria include: Manuscript, Introduction, Organization & Flow, Vivid Details, Practiced Delivery, Conclusion, Time Limit, and Audience.

CHECKLIST OF ITEMS DUE:

___ Typed Manuscript of speech (word-for-word)

Tips for Commemorative Speeches:

(from Public Speaking Workbook, 13th Edition, by Karen Kangas Dwyer, 2008.)

1. Begin with an intriguing introduction or attention getter (use a story, metaphor, or quotation, etc.)

2. Mention the event or occasion for your speech. You should use the word “tribute” or “celebration” to give respect to the subject you are honoring.

3. Briefly mention your connection to your subject, without focusing on yourself.

4. Give the background of the person, institution, or event so the audience will know why your subject is praiseworthy. Include historical information, character qualities, acts of service, and/or contributions to the community.

5. Go beyond only historical details; try to inspire your audience with respect for the subject (e.g. mention obstacles overcome, purity of motives, superiority of accomplishments, etc.).

6. Include principles and/or values to be learned from the subject. For example, a eulogy would include life-long accomplishments of the person who has died and what values or principles we can learn from his/her life.

7. Include vivid examples or personal stories that show the character qualities, events or acts you are honoring. Select examples that will not embarrass the person.

8. Be selective. Choose the best examples and details to illustrate your points. Less is more.

9. Use stylistic language devices such as simile, metaphor, parallelism, or alliteration to arouse interest, emotion, admiration, and/or consolation.

10. Conclude your speech appropriately. For a eulogy, express sorrow and sympathy. For other situations, express appreciation, admiration, or good wishes for the future.

Tribute Speech – Grading Rubric

Each line is 0-3 points, 75 points total possible.

SPEECH MANUSCRIPT AND PREPARATION – 16% POINTS

___ Manuscript is typed & triple spaced

___ Manuscript uses font large enough to be seen easily by speaker

___ Each page ends with a complete thought

___ Organization and thoughtful planning is evident

INTRODUCTION – 16% POINTS

___ Gained the interest of the audience

___ Mentioned the occasion & motivated the audience to listen

___ Established credibility (how you are related to the subject)

___ Fully introduced topic (described the purpose – e.g. tribute, eulogy, award, etc.)

BODY – 24% POINTS

___ Effective organizational pattern (ideas arranged logically)

___ Citations used where appropriate/required

___ Explained background & reasons for honoring person, place, idea

___ Included vivid stories to show the character qualities

___ Appropriate amount of detail given (not too much, not too little)

___ Information flowed well with smooth connectives

PRESENTATION & DELIVERY – 24% POINTS

___ Strong eye-contact sustained throughout speech (practice was evident)

___ Demonstrated familiarity with subject (able to speak conversationally)

___ Effective use of voice (easily heard, few uhms, appropriate speed and articulation)

___ Language used creatively and imaginatively

___ Sounded sincere, enthusiastic or passionate

___ Effective facial expressions, gestures, and animation

CONCLUSION – 12% POINTS

___ Prepared audience for ending

___ Expressed appropriate sentiment (praise, admiration, sorrow, etc.)

___ Vivid and memorable ending (interesting quote, anecdote, or final statement)

TIMING & AUDIENCE – 8% POINTS

___ Fulfilled time requirement (3-4 minutes within 30 seconds over or under)

___ Showed audience of 6 adults before and after speech without splicing video (failure to do this will result in an F for the presentation)