Speech of Presentation and Acceptance: Character Speech
For this speech, you will create a character that has won a particular award. You will write two mini-speeches- the first will be a speech of presentation given in the persona of a M.C. or host; the second will be the acceptance speech given by the character receiving the award. The challenging aspect of this option is that you must create an original character, award, and occasion. (You cannot pretend to be Brad Pitt at the Oscars.) Since you are delivering both the presentation speech and the acceptance speech, you must ensure that you distinguish your two characters with vocal presentation, gestures, costumes, etc. This option requires a good deal of creativity and imagination and is a good choice for the speaker that enjoys acting. Your topic/situation should be lighthearted and humorous. Ex: Santa Claus delivers an award to one of his elves for being the BEST TOYMAKER.
See President Clinton/Nelson Mandela speech.
Commemorative Speech
Commemorative speeches are speeches of praise and celebration. They include speeches delivered on various holidays, toasts, eulogies, dedications, commencement addresses, etc. These speeches are closely linked to the occasion that they are commemorating or honoring. If you choose this speech, you must have a clear idea of your occasion and will need to describe this occasion/scene to your audience before you begin and then stay true to this occasion/situation in delivering your speech. While these speeches are often more serious in nature, they still aim to entertain their audience. You can invent an occasion or situation, but be sure that you stay true to your creation throughout your speech. Ex: I will be delivering a speech in honor of my dog Barkley on his 12th birthday party. I will be delivering a speech at Mayo HS graduation two years from now when I am a senior.
See “My Crazy Aunt Sue,” Barbara Bush and Chinoy speeches.
After-Dinner Speech/Personal Experience Speech
These speeches are similar to magazine feature stories or newspaper stories. They revolve around a central theme or idea that has some amount of seriousness and substance to it, but are often presented in a lighthearted tone. Usually, these speeches will draw from the speaker’s personal experience and include many anecdotes and detailed, descriptive examples. This choice offers you the most flexibility and freedom to invent your own topic/idea. These speeches may reveal:
· a funny, embarrassing, or happy experience
· a life lesson learned (story with a moral)
· a quirky personality trait
· one’s belief or feelings about an aspect of pop culture or society
· a satire of a social issue
· a story about a time you felt a strong emotion
See “The Horror of It”
“This I Believe” Speech
These speeches are modeled after National Public Radio’s long-time series of radio narratives entitled “This I Believe.” Various men and women write and deliver personal experience speeches on the radio that are centered around the theme of a core belief that the speakers hold about the world. See www.thisibelieve.org for examples. These sketches are sometimes serious and sometimes lighthearted… and often a brilliant combination of both. We will listen to and read some of these speeches in class. If you choose this option, you will write your own “This I Believe” speech to deliver to the class that focuses on one particular belief you hold about life, society, America, values, etc.
“The Onion” Satiric/Humor Speech
These speeches deliver a humorous social commentary about an issue or aspect of society that you find ridiculous, irritating, harmful, etc. You may choose to explore a global issue such as terrorism, poverty, or AIDS. Or you could choose to satirize an issue closer to home that has to do with your community, school, family, peers, teachers, etc. The subject you choose will be appropriate for satire if it is something you would truly like to change or reform in some specific way. Satires use techniques such as hyperbole (exaggeration), sarcasm, and irony to achieve their effect.