Honors Only
Professional Speech Critique
Students will be assigned two particular famous speeches to critique this semester. The links to view the speeches are available on the webpage. If the link is broken please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
The assignment is to watch the both speeches, then to read the speech transcripts. After seeing and reading the speeches students are to write a compare and contrast critique of the delivery, content and metaphors. This is NOT to be a format for the student to talk about their political beliefs - it is purely a critique of the content and delivery. In other words do not tell me you like or dislike the person - do not tell me that the beliefs expressed are not in line with your beliefs. That is not the purpose of this assignment.
What to include:
1. Delivery style should include the following:
a. Verbal - (each president in separate sections) [volume, rate, fillers, pauses]
b. Nonverbal - (each president in separate sections) [body movement, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions] (Note: keep in mind most presidential speeches are limited to a podium with no movement, basically they have NO choice in that matter but you can address how their placement or lack of movement affected the delivery)
c. Compare and contrast the two presidents verbal and nonverbal styles
2. Content should include the following:
a. Word choices - why you think this speaker selected particular words or phrases, what images were being created? Was the wording effective or not? Pick out a particular favorite section and explain why that section stood out to you. (each president in separate sections)
b. Possible Literary Devices used that you can address in this section: Anaphora - Did the speaker use any? Were they effective? Why or why not? Alliterations - Did the speaker use any? Were they effective? Why or why not? Simile? Others?
c. Then offer a compare and contrast of the content between the two presidents.
3. Metaphors
a. What metaphors were used? Were they effective? Why or why not? (each president in separate sections)
b. Personalize: do a metaphoric analysis (think about the images created in the mind of the listener (YOU), talk about those possible images and what they represent - then explain why you think this particular metaphor was used. (e.g. if the metaphor of a tiger is used what images are created in your mind? do we see something strong, ferocious, wild - do those images work with what the speaker was trying to convey? remember this is based on what YOU see so make it personal)
c. ALL of these speeches utilize metaphors - do not say you couldn't find any because they are there.
d. Compare and contrast the metaphors used by the presidents’
4. Requirements:
a. 8 page typed paper (approximately 2000 words, does not include cover page)
b. APA style format (cover page, page numbers, headings, font - Times News Roman 12 pt, references NOT required)
i. Do not play with margins or font size.
ii. Papers that are less than 8 pages will receive a zero!
5. Introduction (Gain and Maintain, Thesis, Preview), that tells the reader the names of the famous speakers, the purpose and/or title of the speeches and a preview of the contents in the body. (Hint: Comparing and Contrasting: Delivery, Content, Metaphors)
6. Level 1 Headings
a. Introduction
b. Delivery
c. Content
d. Metaphors
e. Conclusion
7. Level 2 Headings
a. Name of president and area covered
b. Compare and contrast
The assignment is to watch the both speeches, then to read the speech transcripts. After seeing and reading the speeches students are to write a compare and contrast critique of the delivery, content and metaphors. This is NOT to be a format for the student to talk about their political beliefs - it is purely a critique of the content and delivery. In other words do not tell me you like or dislike the person - do not tell me that the beliefs expressed are not in line with your beliefs. That is not the purpose of this assignment.
What to include:
1. Delivery style should include the following:
a. Verbal - (each president in separate sections) [volume, rate, fillers, pauses]
b. Nonverbal - (each president in separate sections) [body movement, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions] (Note: keep in mind most presidential speeches are limited to a podium with no movement, basically they have NO choice in that matter but you can address how their placement or lack of movement affected the delivery)
c. Compare and contrast the two presidents verbal and nonverbal styles
2. Content should include the following:
a. Word choices - why you think this speaker selected particular words or phrases, what images were being created? Was the wording effective or not? Pick out a particular favorite section and explain why that section stood out to you. (each president in separate sections)
b. Possible Literary Devices used that you can address in this section: Anaphora - Did the speaker use any? Were they effective? Why or why not? Alliterations - Did the speaker use any? Were they effective? Why or why not? Simile? Others?
c. Then offer a compare and contrast of the content between the two presidents.
3. Metaphors
a. What metaphors were used? Were they effective? Why or why not? (each president in separate sections)
b. Personalize: do a metaphoric analysis (think about the images created in the mind of the listener (YOU), talk about those possible images and what they represent - then explain why you think this particular metaphor was used. (e.g. if the metaphor of a tiger is used what images are created in your mind? do we see something strong, ferocious, wild - do those images work with what the speaker was trying to convey? remember this is based on what YOU see so make it personal)
c. ALL of these speeches utilize metaphors - do not say you couldn't find any because they are there.
d. Compare and contrast the metaphors used by the presidents’
4. Requirements:
a. 8 page typed paper (approximately 2000 words, does not include cover page)
b. APA style format (cover page, page numbers, headings, font - Times News Roman 12 pt, references NOT required)
i. Do not play with margins or font size.
ii. Papers that are less than 8 pages will receive a zero!
5. Introduction (Gain and Maintain, Thesis, Preview), that tells the reader the names of the famous speakers, the purpose and/or title of the speeches and a preview of the contents in the body. (Hint: Comparing and Contrasting: Delivery, Content, Metaphors)
6. Level 1 Headings
a. Introduction
b. Delivery
c. Content
d. Metaphors
e. Conclusion
7. Level 2 Headings
a. Name of president and area covered
b. Compare and contrast
Speeches Assigned
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Video Links
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Transcripts
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1 Barack Obama Tucson Memorial Speech
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2 Ronald Reagan Challenger Memorial Speech
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3 George W. Bush Address to Congress & America
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4 Ronald Reagan Inauguration 1981
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5 Ronald Reagan Inauguration 1985
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6 George H.W. Bush Inauguration 1989
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7 Barack Obama Inauguration 2009
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8 William Clinton Inauguration 1993
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9 William Clinton Inauguration 1997
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10 Ronald Reagan Brandenburg Gate Speech
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11 George W. Bush Inauguration 2001
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12 George W. Bush Inauguration 2005
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13 William Clinton Oklahoma Bombing Memorial
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14 John F. Kennedy Inaugural Speech 1961
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