Cheyenne Ortiz
Expository Speech
Introduction
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Grabber or Attention Getting Material: Did you know that Jamaica is the third largest island
in the Caribbean Sea after Cuba and Hispaniola?
Credibility: After quarantine is over, I am sure everyone is going to be looking for the best
places to travel; Jamaica is an island that you should consider.
Reason to Listen: The island has incredible food, fun celebrations, and popular music
making this country one that stands out amongst those in the Caribbean.
Thematic Statement: After listening to this presentation, you should be more familiar with
Jamaica’s culture.
Preview Statement: This country’s food, celebratory customs, and music are what makes
Jamaica so special.
Transition statement— The first thing I think we should explore is the
country’s cuisine.
Body
I.
First main point: Jamaican cuisine includes a variety of flavors and cooking techniques,
heavily influenced by several other cultures that have inhabited the land.
a. Subpoint: African cuisine developed in this country due to slavery.
 Sub-subpoint: One of the island’s most popular dishes, known as Ackee, was
brought by West African people.
b. Subpoint: Jamaican cuisine is available throughout North America, the United Kingdom,
and other places with a sizeable Jamaican population. In the United States, a large
number of restaurants are located throughout New York's boroughs, Atlanta, Fort
Lauderdale, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and other metropolitan areas.
c. Subpoint: Some popular Jamaican dishes include beef/chicken patties, curry chicken,
corned beef, and coconut shrimp; all of which I recommend.
Transition Statement— Now your stomach is full, you may want to turn on
some music.
II.
Second main point: The music of Jamaica includes a mix of traditional folk music and
several other genres.
a. Subpoint: These genres include dancehall, reggae, calypso, and dub music.
 Sub-subpoint: Reggae is one of the more recognizable genres with notable
artists like the infamous Bob Marley, Beenie Man, and Professor’s favorite, Sean
Paul.
 Sub-subpoint: A fun fact is that Bob Marley wrote and recorded the theme song
to the popular kids show, Arthur!
b. Subpoint: Music made in this country has been sampled and used in songs created all
over the world.
 Sub-subpoint: It has been noted that the people in this country make more
music per capita than any other country in the world. But with weather like
theirs, who could blame them.
Transition Statement— After your food has settled and you have listened to
some music to set the mood, you might find yourself interested in attending a
celebration.
III.
Third main point: Jamaica’s biggest celebration is an event called Carnival; held during
Easter in Kingston, Ocho Rios, and Montego Bay.
a. Subpoint: The festival includes parade floats and large groups of people wearing
flamboyant costumes.
 Sub-subpoint: The women’s costumes are often bejeweled and include lots of
feathers.
 Sub-subpoint: The party goes on for hours day & night with people lining the
streets dancing to music and drinking with friends and family.
 Sub-subpoint: Similar celebrations take place in other countries such as Brazil
and Trinidad.
b. Subpoint: Popular celebrities of Caribbean ethnicity, like Rihanna or Nicki Minaj, are
often seen in attendance at parties like this.
 Sub-subpoint: With over 7 million people in attendance each year some might
call it a party that the world is invited to.
Conclusion
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Signal— In closing, Jamaica is one of the hottest spots to vacation to.
Restate Thesis— With such rich culture, visiting a country like this one proves to just as
much as a learning experience as it is a vacation.
Summarize Main Points— The island has delicious cuisine, distinct music, and huge
celebrations, there is always something for you to do.
Strong Closure— After this pandemic has ended, I believe people will take the time to
explore several cultures much different than their own. Travel will increase significantly in
several countries. I just hope Jamaica is everyone’s first stop!
Works Cited
Buisseret, David J. “Jamaica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,
www.britannica.com/place/Jamaica.
“Easter Carnival, Jamaica - Pilot Guides - Travel, Explore, Learn.” Pilot Guides, 1 Apr. 2016,
www.pilotguides.com/articles/easter-carnivaljamaica/#:~:text=Jamaica's%20biggest%20cultural%20celebration%20takes,and%20dance
%20in%20the%20streets.
“Jamaican Cuisine.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Feb. 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_cuisine.
“Music of Jamaica.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Feb. 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Jamaica.