Special Occasion Speech Assignment
Purpose: To prepare and present a special occasion speech, that is indicative of the kind of special
occasion speaking used in your chosen career field, using one of the following types:
1) a speech of introduction, 2) a speech of presentation, 3) a speech of acceptance,
4) a commemorative speech (e.g., testimonial, eulogy, dedication, or speech of tribute to a person,
group of people, an institution or an idea), and 5) an after-dinner speech. Use the information
below as a checklist to prepare the speech.
____
Prepare a 5-7 minute Special Occasion Speech.
____
Complete the Special Occasion Speech Topic Worksheet attached.
____
Research the topic to gather information for your speech.
(Conduct informal research – such as using yourself and your knowledge - or - formal
research – such as library sources or the internet – depending on what your topic is, and
what kind of special occasion speech you are making). Make sure you cite this research in
your speech.
____
Adapt your speech to the audience (e.g., to make your speech “audience-centered” for your
classmates).
____
Review the information gathered in your informal or formal research and in your audience
analysis to prepare your speech.
____
Compile a bibliography of sources used (11th and 12th grade students)
____
Draft a manuscript of your speech and bibliography
____
Type and proofread the final version of your speech.
____
Prepare visual aids for your speech (if you plan to use any). Visual aids are not required.
____
Practice your speech out loud.
____
Bring the Special Occasion Evaluation (with the top section filled in) to present your
speech in class (completing your section of the evaluation sheet is worth a point; not filling
it in will cost you a point).
____
Evaluate a peer’s speech, using the Special Occasion Speech Peer Evaluation form attached
(turn in the peer evaluation at your next class). Peer Evaluations will be assigned.
____
Evaluate your own speech using the Special Occasion Speech Self Evaluation form
attached (turn in your self evaluation at your next class).
____
The Special Occasion Speech is worth 100 points; its manuscript is worth 25 points.
____
grade)
Speeches without bibliographies and in-speech citation will not be evaluated. (11 th and 12th
Adapted From: Athens Technical College
Special Occasion Speech Topic Worksheet
Given the above information, list 10 potential special occasion speech topics:
1.
6.
2.
7.
3.
8.
4.
9.
5.
10.
Based on the above information, I have chosen the following special occasion speech topic:
The thesis statement for my special occasion speech is:
Adapted From: Athens Technical College
Remember to:
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•
•
Special Occasion Speech Manuscript Format
Type the manuscript (use format below)
Include your name and speech title, date and class hour on your outline
Cite all sources on the outline (11th and 12th grade)
I.
Introduction
A. Attention getter
B. Thesis statement (specific purpose)
C. Credibility/goodwill statement (what is your connection to the topic?): Write this in one
complete sentence.
D. Audience relevance statement (how does your speech relate to/include the audience?)
Connective
II. Body
A. First major point - The purpose for giving your special occasion speech. In this point and
sub-points, provide the audience with background information and significance of the
speech you are giving.
Connective
B. Second major point - In this point, pay tribute to the person or thing. Use language
devices to provide your audience with a vivid image of why you admire, respect, and
appreciate this person or thing. In short, inspire your audience!!
Connective
III. Conclusion
Concluding statement - end the speech smoothly.
End by saying “Thank you” (to acknowledge and show respect for the audience’s attention)
Bibliography: List any sources that you have used to compose your special occasion speech. (11th
and 12th grade)
Adapted From: Athens Technical College
SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECH -- INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION SHEET
Name*________________________________
Topic*________________________________
April 26 ______, 2004
Length______________
(2 - 4 minutes)
TYPE OF SPEECH:*
( ) Speech of Introduction
( ) Speech of Presentation
( ) Speech of Acceptance
( ) Commemorative Speech
( ) After-Dinner Speech
Deductions______________
POINTS:_______
(Manuscript, Time, *Info.)
(Out of 15 points)
ELEMENTS:*
( ) Who
( ) What
( ) When
( ) Where
( ) How/Why
VG OK NW INTRODUCTION
COMMENTS
Captures audience attention
Establishes credibility
Acknowledges purpose of presentation
Relates event to the audience
Previews body of speech
VG
OK
NW
BODY
Major points
Effective supporting material
Smooth connectors
VG OK NW CONCLUSION
Summarizes major points/ memorable thought
Sense of closure/speech ends smoothly
VG OK NW AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
Speech is appropriate for the occasion)
Topic adapted to audience
Maintained audience attention
VG OK NW DELIVERY
Extemporaneous/conversational
Vocal variety (rate, pitch, loudness)
Enthusiastic/Dynamic/Confident
Appropriate posture/gestures/eye contact
Effective language (inspirational/entertaining/humorous)
Linguistic device (simile, metaphor, repetition, alliteration, antithesis, parallelism)
Any distractions (verbal/non-verbal)
Visual Aids (if used)
GRADING KEY: VG=very good/OK=okay/NW=needs work
DEDUCTIONS: Manuscript delivery (-3 points); Time (-5 pt./30 sec.); *Not Completing Info.
Adapted From: Athens Technical College
SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECH PEER-EVALUATION: Due Wedneday, April 28, 2004
Evaluator_________________________________ Points for Evaluation:_________(out of 5)
Time:______ (2 - 4 Minutes)
Grade that you would assign for this speech? _____( A, B, C, D, F)
Speaker_________________________________Topic______________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Introduction of Speech : How did the speaker gain the audience’s attention? Was it effective; why
or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Body and Main Points of Speech :
First Main Point: How did the speaker introduce the purpose for the special occasion speech? Was
it successful? Why or Why not?
Second Main Point (and any subsequent points): Did the speaker inspire the audience about the
purpose for the special occasion speech? Yes or No? If yes, how; if not, why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion of Speech : How did the speaker conclude the special occasion speech? Did the speech
end smoothly; why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Verbal Delivery (voice, loudness, pronunciation, etc.) : Was the speaker’s verbal delivery effective?
Why or why not? Was the speaker’s delivery appropriate for this type of speech?
_________________________________________________________________________
Non-Verbal Delivery (posture, eye contact, gestures, etc.) : Was the speaker’s non-verbal delivery
effective? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Visual Aid : If the speaker used a visual aid, was it effective for the special occasion speech? Why
or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Suggestions: What suggestions would you give the speaker for future speeches?
(Use the back of this sheet for additional writing space)
Adapted From: Athens Technical College
SPECIAL OCCASION SPEECH SELF-EVALUATION: Due Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Name __________________________________ Points for Evaluation:_________(out of 5)
Did your speech conform to time requirements?_______ (If not, why not?)
What grade would you give yourself for this speech? _________ (Potential grade of A, B, C, D, F)
_________________________________________________________________________
Introduction of Speech : How did you gain the audience’s attention? Was it effective; why or why
not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Body and Main Points of Speech :
First Main Point: How did you introduce the purpose for your special occasion speech? Was it
successful? Why or Why not?
Second Main Point (and any subsequent points): Were you able to inspire your audience about the
purpose for your special occasion speech? Yes or No? If yes, how; if not, why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Conclusion of Speech : How did you conclude your speech? Did you end your speech smoothly; why
or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Verbal Delivery (voice, loudness, pronunciation, etc.) : Was your verbal delivery effective? Why or
why not? Was your delivery appropriate for this type of speech?
_________________________________________________________________________
Non-Verbal Delivery (posture, eye contact, gestures, etc.) : Was your non-verbal delivery
effective? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Visual Aid : If you used a visual aid, was it effective for your special occasion speech? Why or why
not?
_________________________________________________________________________
Learning Experience: What did you learn from giving this speech?
(Use the back of this sheet for additional writing space)
Adapted From: Athens Technical College