Name: ______________________________________ Block: _________ Date: ______________
My Philosophy of Life: Speech/Essay
Due Date: A & E: Wednesday, 10/10; B & C: Thursday, 10/11
Length: 1- 1.5 page double-spaced. Please do not go under or over the suggested
length. This is intended to be a brief piece of writing. Be concise and to the point.
Topic: Most of the speeches and essays we read so far communicate (to a certain
extent) the writers’ approach to life. Write an essay OR a speech in which you
communicate your personal philosophy of life. Please keep in mind that this will be
read aloud and shared with the class.
Questions to Consider:
By what principal do you live your life? What do you believe at the core? How do
you prioritize your life? What matters most to you? How do you make the most
important decisions in your life?
Remember: Even if your life philosophy is not entirely original, you can
inspire/move your audience by showing how it originated from your own
experiences, through careful observation (moth), researched facts (weasels),
data/logical reasoning (Wellesley), comparing/contrasting etc.
Guidelines:
If you choose to write a speech:
(Models: Wellesley High School Speech, JK Rowling, Steve Jobs, JFK)
1) Connect your purpose (msg/theme) to the specific audience you will be
speaking to (your classmates).
2) Choose a tone that is appropriate for purpose and audience.
3) Use rhetorical devices (these are important in a speech because it is meant to
be spoken and heard).
4) Feel free to use humor, go off on brief tangents, and make impromptu
comments. Speeches are meant to engage a live audience.
5) Make sure that you have a clear, memorable point/message. Communicate
this by using personal anecdotes, compare/contrast, logical reasoning, data
etc.
If you choose to write an essay:
(Models: The Death of the Moth, Living Like Weasels, This I Believe)
1) Focus on something small (specific subject) to communicate something that
has broader implications (theme).
2) Choose a tone that is appropriate for purpose and audience.
3) An essay is meant to be a focused piece of writing—do not go off on tangents.
Stay focused. Keep your theme clear and coherent from beginning to end.
4) Trust your ability to reflect, interpret, and provide insight. Write from your
personal point of view with confidence.
5) Consider using detailed descriptions, observations, researched facts,
narrative, flashbacks etc to move your essay alon
Exemplary
 Communicates a thoughtful, clear,
and memorable message.
Proficient
 Communicates a clear message
that is somewhat memorable.
Developing
 Communicates a vague
message that may or may not
be memorable.
Beginning
 Does not communicate a
message.
 Writer is effective and purposeful
in using description, observation,
narrative, quotes, research, logical
reasoning, rhetorical devices etc
to communicate the message.
 Writer uses description,
observation, narrative, quotes,
research, logical reasoning,
rhetorical devices etc to
communicate the message.
 Writer does not use
description, observation,
narrative, quotes, research,
logical reasoning, rhetorical
devices etc.
Audience
 Writer deliberately and effectively
connects audience to purpose to
communicate the message.
 Writer considers audience in
communicating the message.
Writer may or may not use
description, observation,
narrative, quotes, research,
logical reasoning, rhetorical
devices etc to communicate
the message.
 Writer may or may not
consider audience in
communicating the message.
 Writer’s choice of tone is
deliberate and purposeful. It helps
to communicate the message.
 Writer’s tone is connected to
the message.
 Writer’s tone may or may
not be connected to the
message.
 There is no recognizable tone.
Tone
Exemplary
 Demonstrates meaningful,
thoughtful variety in sentence
structures
 Demonstrates meaningful,
accurate use of rhetorical devices
 Contains no spelling or usage
errors
Proficient
 Demonstrates variety in
sentence structures
 Demonstrates mostly accurate
use of rhetorical devices
Developing
 Demonstrates some variety
in sentence structures
 Demonstrates some use of
rhetorical devices
 Contains few spelling or usage
errors
 Contains errors that
generally do not distract
from meaning
Beginning
 Lacks variety or demonstrates
problems in sentence structure
 Demonstrates lack of or
inaccurate use of rhetorical
devices
 Contains errors that
significantly interfere with
meaning
Purpose
Content
Style
Conventions
 Writer does not consider
audience.