In this assignment you are to do a critical analysis of a public speech. This is NOT a
report or “play-by-play” account of what the speaker said. Rather, you will analyze the
speaker in a similar manner in which I would evaluate YOUR presentations.
This assignment is a formal paper and must follow MLA guidelines. The paper should
be 3 to 5 pages in length. At least 3 FULL pages – that means you must go to the
very last line on page 3….papers shorter than the required length will have points
deducted. The paper should be double-spaced, standard 1” margins, and use 12
point Times New Roman type. Please note: you cannot reuse papers that have been
written for other courses, doing so will result in a grade of 0.
This paper is to have three sections:
The Description – This section is to be an introductory paragraph and is less
than 5% of the paper’s length and must give information about the speaking
event or video you chose (who, what, where, when) and introduce the paper.
For example, you might say something like, “In this paper, I will analyze…”
The Analysis – This section consists of two parts: analysis of three
theoretical concepts of public speaking (ie: eye contact, support material,
vocal delivery, etc.) that were positively used by the speaker and an analysis
of three theoretical concepts of public speaking that were not used effectively
by the speaker. This section allows you to do a micro-analysis of the
speaker/speaking situation. You are evaluating them on what they did well
and did not do well….NOT a book report on what they said. Also please note
that items such as poor sound quality or camera work are not considered an
element of “public speaking” – things that are out of the speaker’s control
should not be counted against them for this analysis.
Divide this section into a paragraph for each positive (3 paragraphs) and a
paragraph for each negative (3 paragraphs). Don’t mix and match in the same
paragraph – it becomes difficult to follow your writing when the ideas are
combined into single paragraphs.
The Evaluation – In this section of the paper, you need to make an argument
as to whether the speaker was successful/good overall or not. You must
make a decisive argument that they were either successful or not – do not
say “both.”
Make your analysis as complete and detailed as possible. Cite the text and what you
have learned throughout the semester to justify the points and conclusions you
make. Citing the text is an excellent way to support the points and conclusions you
draw in this paper. (make sure to cite the textbook properly in a Works Cited page
using MLA format! You can find a full citation of the textbook in the course syllabus if
you are having trouble finding all necessary info in the ebook) If you do not pull
information from the textbook and properly cite it throughout the paper, you
automatically drop a letter grade.
Down below is the link to the speech and name of it that this paper needs to be based off of and the link to the textbook so you can cite things in the essay. You don’t need any other outside sources, just the textbook.
Link and Name of Speech: Amy Cuddy – Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMcAmy Cuddy
Link to Textbook: https://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/spkguidebook8e/21216729/Home#/ebook/https://www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/spkguidebook8e/21216729/Home#/ebook/ (Let me know if you can’t access it)
