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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


 

Speeches Assigned

Video Links

Transcripts

1   Barack Obama Tucson Memorial Speech
Obama Tucson Memorial
Obama Tuscon Memorial
File Size: 67 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


2  Ronald Reagan Challenger Memorial Speech
Reagan Challenger Memorial
Reagan Challenger Memorial
File Size: 67 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


3  George W. Bush Address to Congress & America
Bush Congress Address
Bush Congress Address
File Size: 112 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


4   Ronald Reagan Inauguration 1981
Reagan Inauguration 81
Reagan Inauguration 81
File Size: 114 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


5   Ronald Reagan Inauguration 1985
Reagan Inauguration 85
Reagan Inauguration 85
File Size: 148 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


6   George H.W. Bush Inauguration 1989
Bush Inauguration 89
Bush Inauguration 89
File Size: 199 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


7   Barack Obama Inauguration 2009
Obama Inauguration 09
Obama Inauguration 09
File Size: 79 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


8   William Clinton Inauguration 1993
Clinton Inauguration 93
Clinton Inauguration 93
File Size: 72 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


9   William Clinton Inauguration 1997 
Clinton Inauguration 97
Clinton Inauguration 97
File Size: 74 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


10 Ronald Reagan Brandenburg Gate Speech
Reagan Brandenburg Gate
Reagan Brandenburg Gate
File Size: 124 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


11 George W. Bush Inauguration 2001
Bush Inauguration 01
Bush Inauguration 01
File Size: 72 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


12 George W. Bush Inauguration 2005
Bush Inauguration 05
Bush Inauguration 05
File Size: 115 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


13 William Clinton Oklahoma Bombing Memorial
Clinton Oklahoma Memorial
Clinton Oklahoma Memorial
File Size: 79 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


14 John F. Kennedy Inaugural Speech 1961
Kennedy Inauguration 61
Kennedy Inaugural 61
File Size: 72 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


If you lost your assignment - click here ------------------------------------- >>>>>>>
Honors Public Speaking
File Size: 198 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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