subject :
public speaking
Commemorative Speech Assignment
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.
• You must cite two (2) sources in this speech for full credit. There could be a wide
variety of things to cite. For a personal speech, it might be a family member. It
could be a movie, a song, or a person that you are giving tribute to.
• 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.
• Turn in an APA Reference sheet listing the sources cited in your speech.
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?
