Speech: Historical Speech Presentation
For this assignment, you will research a famous speech from the options on the website below, get your topic
approved, and give a PowerPoint presentation to the class. You will be required to research many different
aspects of the speech to provide the class with a thorough understanding of both the speech and its historical
relevance. Your presentation will include:
 Historical context of the speech (What was going on at the time that led your historical figure to prepare
this speech?)
 A brief biography of the person giving the speech (Why was he or she giving this speech? Why is he or
she important? What gave him or her the authority or reason to give this speech?)
 The outcome of the situation or speech (What happened after this speech? Was the speaker’s goal
met?)
 You are required to read and analyze at least three different excerpts from your chosen speech. Each
excerpt will be read aloud to the class and you will need to explain how each excerpt relates to the main
point of the speech and the context of the speech.
 You will get a speech grade for the excerpts you read (minimum 3). Since you do not have to write the
speech, your main focus will be on presentation (body language, gestures, annunciation, voice, clarity,
eye contact, etc.) It is imperative that you understand the context of the speech in order to present it
effectively. You need to place the 3 excerpts throughout the speech, and not all at once (you should
plan on a total of about 2 minutes of all the excerpts combined).
 Your entire presentation should last at least 12 minutes, and should be well-prepared to leave the
audience with a complete understanding of the speech’s place in history and its influence.
http://www.famous-speeches-and-speech-topics.info/famous-speeches-and-speech-topics-sitemap.htm
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/007256296x/77464/top100_only.html
Timeline
12/5, 12/6, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12- Work Days
12/13- Partner Practice Day
Monday, 12/17- Presentations Due
Work days in computer lab (5 total). If you need
more time than this, you are expected to do
homework. Not having enough time in class is not
an acceptable excuse for not completing the
presentation by the due date.
Presentations are due on Monday, Dec. 17th . If
you have a legitimate conflict, I need to be notified
in advance (at the latest, on the Thursday before).
Historical Speech Presentation Rubric
Criterion
Historical
Context
Biographical
Information
Rating
Excellent
Rating
Good
Rating
Satisfactory
Rating
Needs
Improvement
5 and below
Points 10-9
Points 8-7
Points 6-5
Presentation places
speech in the correct
context by giving a
thorough background explanation
Presentation places
speech in the correct
context by giving
some background
information
Presentation makes
a weak attempt to
explain the
historical context or
presents inaccurate
historical context
Does not place
speech in historical
context
Student presents a
biography of the
speaker that is
useful to the
presentation and
Student presents a
biography of the
speaker that is
somewhat useful to
the presentation
Student presents an
incomplete
biography of the
speaker that is not
useful to the
Students does not
attempt to give the
audience
biographical
information
Score
helps the audience
understand the
speaker better
Outcome or
Aftermath
Excerpt
Selection
Eye Contact
Throughout
Entire
Presentation
Use of Language
Body language
Clarity
Organization of
Presentation
Proofreading/
Professionalism
presentation
A clear explanation
of the outcome or
aftermath is clearly
stated and clearly
understood by
presenter
A somewhat clear
explanation of the
outcome or
aftermath is clearly
stated, but not fully
understood by
presenter
The outcome or
aftermath of the
speech is poorly
explained and
clearly not
understood by
presenter
No attempt made to
explain the outcome
or aftermath of the
speech
The excerpts chosen
fit in well with the
presentation and are
thoroughly and
accurately explained
Excerpts chosen had
something to do
with the
presentation, but
more care could
have been taken in
analysis
Excerpts chosen
randomly; barely
contributed to the
presentation and
were not analyzed
or explained
Excerpts were
absent altogether or
contributed nothing
to presentation
Eye contact with
audience virtually
all the time (except
for brief glances at
notes or
Smartboard)
Eye contact with
audience less than
80% of the time
Eye contact with
audience less than
70% of the time
Little or no eye
contact; completely
reads off notes or
Smartboard
Use of language
contributes to
effectiveness of the
presentation, and
vocalized pauses
(um uh er etc.)
not distracting
Use of language
does not have
negative impact,
and vocalized
pauses
(um uh er etc.)
not distracting
Use of language
causes potential
confusion, and/or
vocalized pauses
(um uh er etc.)
are distracting
Use of language is
inappropriate and
poorly executed
Body language,
gestures, and facial
expressions
reflect the tone of
the actual speech
Body language,
gestures, and facial
expressions
somewhat
reflect the tone of
the actual speech
Body language,
facial expressions
and gestures
lack variety and
spontaneity and
don’t reflect the
tone of the actual
speech
Body language,
gestures, and
facial expressions
are lacking or
inappropriate and do
not relate to the
speech
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all the
time with no
mispronounced
words
Speaks clearly and
distinctly nearly all
the time with no
more than one
mispronounced
word
Speaks clearly and
distinctly most of
the time with no
more than two
mispronounced
words
Often mumbles or
cannot be
understood with
more than three
mispronounced
words
Presentation is wellprepared in a
(1)neat,
(2)organized, and
(3)logical way
Meets any two of
the three criteria
Meets any one of
the three criteria
Meets only one of
the four criteria
Presentation is free
from spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation errors
Presentation has less
than 2 spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation errors
Presentation has 2-5
spelling, grammar,
and punctuation
errors
Presentation has
many errors and
student clearly did
not proofread
Total: _____/100