The GRADitude Speech
A Speech of Thanks Before You Graduate
Nobody got here alone. Each of you had a safety net of people watching you walk that tight rope to graduation. A GRADitude Speech is a tribute speech written to show thanks or respect to ONE of those people who stood by you, who cheered you on, gave you a second chance, or quietly supported you with a smile or a hug.
The PURPOSE of this type of speech is express gratitude while encouraging a deep sense of admiration and respect for your subject.
The Structure and Outline of theGRADitude Speech
- Your Opener - the opening, ice-breaker or attention grabber. Consider relaying a story about a time when the person supported you.
- Introduction - Tell your audience about who the subject of your speech is and why you have chosen them.
- ROADMAP – Give the audience a one-sentence overview of the reasons why you are grateful to this person.
- Body of Speech - convey information and reasons as to why you are grateful to this person-- Make it clear the difference that the person has made to you.
- Confirmation & Significance - Confirm and repeat the key points emphasizing the significance of the person’s contribution to your life.
- Conclusion - Try to end with a memorable punch line or positive statement as to why the person deserves tribute.
Grading Criteria:
/10 Met the time limits: 2-3 minutes
/50Followed the structure of the GRADitude speech
/5Opener
/10Introduction
/5ROADMAP
/20Body of Speech
/5Confirmation & Significance
/5Conclusion
/20Infused rhetorical flourishes into the speech
/10Delivered with Polish: PoiseEye-contactGesture
/10 Keeping it all together—papers/ deadlines/ no flakiness/ on task
/100Comments:
Rhetorical Flourishes
For full credit, infuse at least 5 rhetorical flourishes.
√ all that you put into your speech
____an analogy (expanding a simile…e.g. Like a Marine Drill Sergeant, Mrs.
Leachdemands her students’ attention through the whole period. And God help the poor recruit who cannot follow orders.
____a string ( at least 3) of rhetorical questions
____anaphora: the repetition of a key word or phrase—at least three times—to create a
theme.
____parallel sentence structure (e.g. He came. He saw. He ran away.)
____antithesis –parallel structure defining something by contrast (e.g. He is not fierce;
he is not brave, but he is really good on the banjo.)
____a conclusion that “steps down” — uses 3 parallel and graduated sentences(e.g. I am grateful that Evan makes me laugh nearly every day. I am grateful that Evan is in my class. I am grateful for Evan.)
___infuse some asides in parentheses—off the cuff commentary for the audience (e.g. I am grateful that Evan makes me laugh nearly every day. I am grateful that Evan is in my class. [Ok, now YOU need to stop laughing—I’m serious!]. I am grateful for Evan.)
The GRADitude Speech
SEVEN STEPS to Earn 50 points !
STEP ONE: Complete the draft of your speech and place the appropriate numbers next to your rhetorical flourishes (remember—you need at least 5 flourishes!):
- Analogy
- String of 3 rhetorical questions
- Anaphora
- Parallel sentence structure
- Antithesis
- Stepping Down
- [asides]
STEP TWO: Ask Mrs. Leach or a TA to check in your speech and assign you a partner.
STEP THREE: Stand and deliver for a partner and ask them to complete The GRADitude Speech Critique
STEP FOUR: Use a different colored ink to make changes or additions to your speech. These edits must be in a different color, so you can receive credit for revision!
STEP FIVE: Copy your new and improved speech onto 3x5 cards.
STEP SIX: Stand and deliver for another partner (or the wall) with a stopwatch to make certain your latest version of the speech is within in the 2-3 minute time limit. Write your time here:_____:______
STEP SEVEN: Make additions or deletions, then clip your 3x5 cards to the revised copy of your draft and this sheet, and basketize your 100 points!
EXTRA CREDIT: Using Blue or Black ink and some stationery, write a letter to the person you’re paying tribute to. Tell them that you have written a speech about them for your English class, then copy your speech onto the stationery. If you address the envelope, I’ll provide the stamp and 20 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS!