Speech Assignment #3: Ceremonial/Epideictic Research PPT Speech
Ceremonial/Epideictic (5-6 mins.) Purpose: To inspire; to pay tribute to a virtue or
condemn a vice. Frame the body of the speech around the leading attributes (subtopics)
that explain or expand our understanding of your chosen virtue or vice. Common examples
of epideictic speeches include sermons, eulogies, political and motivational speeches,
valedictions, commencements, and inaugural addresses. By nature, this type of speech
assumes a favorable audience for whom you are merely reinforcing the ideas, values, and
beliefs they already possess. Therefore, you are NOT seeking to persuade your audience to
take action by changing a belief or action. Similarly, you are NOT merely informing your
audience by analyzing the virtue or vice. Instead, you want to inspire them concerning
the importance of this virtue or vice through highlighting a series of reflective examples.
While personal examples can be highly compelling and serve a valuable role in this type of
speech, in order to reach a truly inspirational level, it is essential that you also include
global examples, which demonstrate the singularity, centrality, and impact of your
subvirtues or subvices. Remember, the tone of this speech should be uplifting, so effective
use of stylistic devices and an evocative delivery are paramount for success. This speech
privileges PATHOS over ethos and logos.
Topic Selection is critical:
Select a suitable subject for inspirational tribute or condemnation (i.e., integrity or greed)
and identify the leading attributes represented by that subject, (i.e., integrity = being
honest + principled + steadfast or greed = being selfish + egotistical + mean-spirited). You
must include at least three (3) researched reflective examples of your subtopics
(virtue/vice/attributes) — one per body paragraph. You may explore your subtopics
through stories of familiar fictional characters, celebrities, sports figures, historical figures,
or people from your own life whose lives and accomplishments demonstrate one or more
of the three leading attributes of the virtue/vice you are heightening and to illustrate why
collectively these attributes pay tribute to this virtue or condemn this vice.
Research and Documentation Requirements: You must use at least 3 outside reference
sources (1piece of research-based evidence per paragraph) to inspire and emotionally
uplift your audience (pathos) and affirm your credibility as a reliable speaker (ethos). Two
of the three research sources must NOT be self-generated by the subject’s or his/her
organization. Documentation requirements must follow the MLA format style illustrated in
Rules for Writers that includes the following:
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verbally tag each outside information source when you deliver your speech
include a verbal tag and parenthetical citations of each outside information source
in your outline that appears in the notes section of your PPT handout
include a MLA citation entry for each outside information source on your Works
Cited slide and on the hard copy of the Works Cited page of your PPT handout
visually tag each borrowed image with a parenthetical citation on the slide
include a MLA citation entry for each borrowed image on the Works Cited slide and
on the hard copy of the Works Cited page of your PPT handout
Stylistic Devices are essential:
 You can use an anecdote or short narrative to enlarge a value. For example, you
can explore perseverance through a story of someone’s struggle with any form of
adversity.
 Repetition or reiteration of key words or points can increase the emotion in the
speech and call attention to the ideas you want to emphasize.
 Metaphors and similes can embellish or enhance the effect on your audience.
 Verbs need to be active, colorful, and vivid.
 Magnification is the technique of selecting and promoting features of a subject for
the purpose of emphasizing values, usually those most dramatic. For example, in a
speech praising the value of moral conviction, a startling statement like “let’s not be
so open-minded that our brains fall out” magnifies the importance of the subtopic of
taking a stand.
 Climax is important in an epideictic speech to build impact. Save the most striking
or amusing stories, the most telling points until the end of the speech to emphasize
them.
 The way you arrange your sentences – both in syntax and order – will affect the
impact of the speech. Parallel structure, short staccato sentences and long florid
ones affect the mood and emotional pull of the speech.
Delivery is an important tool to inspire the audience:
Delivery is more complicated in a ceremonial/epideictic speech due to the fact that you
are heightening people’s personal values and emotions. Your speech must be both
formal and emotionally emphatic. This speech should not be silly or colloquial in any
way. Your tone must be uplifting and inspirational.
Remember to look at your audience when you talk, rather than at your PPT and to
explain your slides rather than simply showing them or reading from them. In order to
encourage a genuinely extemporaneous delivery, you do not want to read off your
handout notes unless you are quoting lines from an outside source. Make your print
large enough that you can see your key word prompts at a quick glance.
Practice your talk for fluency and poise, speaking to and facing audience members
rather than the PPT screen. Use you PPT Handout instead of index cards to prompt
your extemporaneous delivery. Practice to ensure adherence to the time limit.
You cannot inspire an audience by reading to them about closely-held beliefs or values.
You must speak from the heart.
Your goal for delivery should be: when I finish speaking, I want my audience to
“believe or feel more strongly about the importance of _______________ in our society”
Requirements for Applying Presentation Zen Design Principles: In order to
engage your audience visually and emotionally in your speech and to ensure that your
visual presentation enhances and reinforces your verbal message rather than replacing
it, incorporate the following:
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Apply “The Conceptual Age” six aptitudes: design, story, symphony, empathy,
play, and meaning in conjunction with “The Information Age” ideals of logic and
analysis in order to create a storyline connection that promotes “stickiness”
Apportion the information (text, data, etc…) appropriately among the slides and
notes sections of the presentation – documented in your PPT handout
Apply the graphic rule of 1/3’s to slide design involving size, color, font, data,
and images
Include 6-12 slides (minimally 6: intro, 3 body, conclusion, works cited slides)
Use MLA guidelines and NoodleTools to create a Works Cited slide as your final
slide(s) of the presentation and a hard copy of your Works Cited page that you
attach to your “Notes Pages” handout for grading
Create two “Notes Pages” handouts that includes all slides + outline notes + hard
copy of the Works Cited page (from NoodleTools) – one handout for me to grade
& one for you to use for delivery
Directions for Printing Googleslides Handouts with slides and MLA notes:
1. In google slides, select FILE; Print settings & preview
2. Select 1 slide without notes
3. Select 1 slide with notes (1 slide + notes for that slide/page)
4. Select Print
5. Select printer, 2 copies (one for instructor; one for you to use to present)
6. PRINT both copies
7. Attach a hard copy of your Works Cited (from NoodleTools) to Googleslides
Handout
Always check your final products against the grading rubric provided. Please find
below the grading rubric for your Googleslides handout, including:
1. Slides with Zen-style images & parenthetical citations for each image
2. Formal outline of speech content divided among the notes section of each
image slide with which the information is presented
3. Formal outline (divided on the notes section of each slide) includes
documentation of research using verbal tags to show where borrowing begins
and MLA parenthetical citations to show where borrowing ends
4. Works Cited page that includes citations for both images and research data
included in the speech using MLA works cited conventions
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All Handouts (with images, formal outline notes, & hard copy of Works Cited page) are
due the first day of the ceremonial speech round regardless of your delivery day.
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Bring 2 hard copies of your Handout to class on day 1 – one copy for me to grade and
one copy for you to use as your “note cards” for delivery.
Googleslides Handout with Zen Images, MLA Outline Notes & Works Cited Grading Rubric
Expectation
Points
/10 Includes Audience Analysis & Thesis Statement at top of outline
Intro
Includes hook that introduces story/angle
/30 Explains background context sufficiently
Includes verbal tags & properly formatted parenthetical citations of all borrowed info
Thesis includes the virtue or vice you will highlight
Thesis previews three main points/subvirtues/subvices of argument in body
Uses proper formal outline headings, rule of two’s, // structure throughout
st
1 Body ¶
Focuses on 1st pt from thesis using a logical, easy to follow organizational structure
/20 Includes 3 pieces inspirational evidence that explain verbally slide’s visual message
Includes verbal tags & properly formatted parenthetical citations of all borrowed info
Uses proper formal outline headings, rule of two’s, // structure throughout
nd
2 Body ¶
Focuses on 2nd pt from thesis using a logical, easy to follow organizational structure
/20 Includes 3 pieces inspirational evidence that explain verbally slide’s visual message
Includes verbal tags & properly formatted parenthetical citations of all borrowed info
Uses proper formal outline headings, rule of two’s, // structure throughout
3rd Body ¶
Focuses on 3rd pt from thesis using a logical, easy to follow organizational structure
/20 Includes 3 pieces inspirational evidence that explain verbally slide’s visual message
Includes verbal tags & properly formatted parenthetical citations of all borrowed info
Uses proper formal outline headings, rule of two’s, // structure throughout
Conclusion Includes recap of thesis without repeating exact words or phrases
/25 Includes recap of main points without repeating exact words or phrases
Includes a return to hook and brings closure to story/angle
Includes verbal tags & properly formatted parenthetical citations of all borrowed info
Uses proper formal outline headings, rule of two’s, // structure throughout
Slide Design
Zen use of simplicity & unity from slide to slide
/40 Images & graphics reinforce main points
Images & graphics engage audience emotionally
Images & graphics placed by rule of 1/3’s
Limited use of words (no more than 7/slide)
Font style, size, and color aids readability and reinforces the story/angle
Slide background images/color reinforce denotation & connotation of the story/angle
Contains no spelling or grammar errors
Resources
Includes Works Cited page on last slide that lists all sources using MLA format
/25 Includes hard copy of Works Cited page that lists all sources using MLA format
Used required # of research sources (3+)
Used only reliable information sources that include credible verbal tags (avoid webpages
w/o cited sources)
Used only authentic images – each cited parenthetically on each slide and included on
Works Cited slide and Works Cited hard copy page
Total Score:
/190 =
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