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Professional Speech Critique

  Students will be assigned a particular famous speech 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 full speech, then to read the speech transcript. After seeing and reading the speech students are to write a 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.
 
VERY IMPORTANT: do not be vague! When you describe something you MUST connect it to the transcript. If you say the speaker lifted the volume, quote the line that was stated when the volume increased. If you recommend the speaker should have lifted their volume indicate which words should have had a higher volume. BE SPECIFIC

What to include:

  1. Delivery style should include the following:
    1. Verbal -
      [volume, rate, fillers, pauses]
    2. Nonverbal -
      [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)

  2. Content should include the following:
    1. Word choices - why you think this speaker selected particular words or phrases, what images were being created? Was the wording effective or not?
    2. Your personal favorite line and explain why that section stood out to you.
    3. Possible Literary Devices used:  
      1. Anaphora - Did the speaker use any? Were they effective? Why or why not?
      2. Alliterations - Did the speaker use any? Were they effective? Why or why not?
      3. Others? Simile?
  3. Metaphors
    1. What metaphors were used? Were they effective? Why or why not? 
    2. 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)
    3. ALL of these speeches utilize metaphors - do not say you couldn't find any because they are there.
 
  1. Requirements:
    1. Cover page with your name, class and a title for your paper
    2. 4 full pages of text - typed paper double spaced (approximately 1000 words)
      1. The ONLY acceptable fonts are:
        1. Courier New 12 pt. font
        2. Times New Roman 12 pt. font
        3. Arial 12 pt. font
    3. Do not play with margins or font size.
    4. Papers that are have less than 4 pages of text will receive a zero!

         Introduction (Gain and Maintain, Thesis, Preview), that tells the reader the name of the famous speaker, the purpose and/or title of the speech and a preview of the contents in the body. (Hint: Delivery, Content, Metaphors) 1 paragraph 
       
​      Body


       3 - 4 paragraphs on Delivery (BE SPECIFIC use quotes)

       3 - 4 paragraphs on Content (BE SPECIFIC use quotes)

       2 – 3 paragraphs on Metaphors (BE SPECIFIC use quotes - remember make this personal) 
       
       Conclusion
(Recap and Gain and Maintain)  1 paragraph



 PLEASE NOTE: This assignment is a signature assignment, which means it is a mandatory assignment for the course. Students who do not complete a professional speech critique will not be allowed to take the final exam. In addition students who do not turn in a professional speech critique will not qualify for last ditch day or be able to submit extra credit.

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
speech starts at 34 minutes into this video

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


To help you out below is the assignment AND a downloadable template
professional_speech_critique.pdf
File Size: 219 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

<<<<<TEMPLATE HERE>>>>>

Template for Professional Critique
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: rtf
Download File

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President Obama Inaugural Address 2013

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