STRC 1111
Speech 2: Speech of Praise
Purpose: The purpose of this second speaking assignment is threefold: (1) to present a well-organized
speech (intro-body-conclusion, constructing an outline for extemporaneous speaking, etc.), (2) to select
relevant materials that reflects the character of the person you are praising, and (3) to practice and critique
your style of delivery.
You need to choose a person you know personally, who has influenced your life in a positive way, and is
still alive. The person you choose can be a parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, coach, teacher, mentor,
counselor, etc. This type of speech is known as an epideictic speech. Other examples of epideictic
speeches include eulogies, roasts, weddings toasts, introductions, award presentations, etc.
General Expectations
1. Your speech should be 3 to 4 ½ minutes long.
2. On the day of your presentation, you will need to provide your instructor with:
a. an Evaluation form (print off from Blackboard).
b. an outline of your presentation.
c. a reference page.
3. There is a sample outline on Blackboard (under “Assignments”—Speech 2: Speech of Praise).
4. There is a blank outline template (Word file) on Blackboard (under “Assignments”—Speech 2:
Speech of Praise).
5. At the end of every presentation, audience members will have the opportunity to offer
constructive feedback to the speaker concerning her or his organization, content, and delivery.
6. This assignment is worth ______ total points (your outline and reference page are worth ______
points and your presentation is worth ______ points).
7. No visual aids are required for this presentation.
8. Each presentation will be recorded and a copy of that presentation will be sent to each individual
student. This recording will be used to complete the Self-Evaluation Assignment.
Outline Criteria
1. You must complete an outline that is structured around an introduction, body, and conclusion.
a. You must include your main/sub-points, citations and written transitions.
b. It must be in full sentences, not words or sentence fragments.
c. The outline must be (1) typed, and (2) submitted on the day of your speech.
2. If you do not have an outline at the time of your speech, there will be a ______ point penalty.
3. You must provide me with a reference page for your quotes/reading.
Organization Criteria
1. For the introduction: (a) use an attention-gaining technique and (b) preview your main points.
2. For the body, develop three main points. Your final main point should explain how your chosen
person has directly affected you and/or influenced your life.
3. Three suggested approaches to organizing your presentation are:
a) a brief biography or some background information about your person and how her or his
life experiences has directly affected you or impacted your life.
b) focus on your chosen person’s major personality characteristics and then show how these
characteristics have influenced you or had an impact on your life.
c) describe some specific personal experiences you have had with your chosen person and
then explain how these experiences illustrate the person’s influence upon you or impact
on your life.
4. For the conclusion, be sure to: (a) restate your main points and (b) leave the audience with some
concluding remark(s) (inspirational words, quote, reading, etc).
Content Criteria
1. In this speech you are “building a case” that your chosen person is praiseworthy. The content of
your speech is essentially a structured performance of the “evidence” that your chosen person has
had an impact on your life.
2. The types of “evidence” that most speakers use to support their case for praiseworthiness are
stories, examples, facts, descriptions, and testimonials. In addition, to encourage and prepare
students for their later speeches, each speaker must include some additional external resources.
These include (but are not limited to):
a. at least one famous quote that helps praise this person.
b. at least one personal quote that helps praise this person. The quote may be from
someone who knows your chosen person or from the person themselves (for example,
parents and coaches often have “go to” quips that summarize their life philosophy).
c. at least one reading of no more than 10 lines (for example song lyrics, a poems,
scripture, etc.).
3. Your chosen quotes/reading(s) may be used in any part of the speech (introduction, body, or
conclusion).
4. You will want to think about and adapt the language that you use in your speech. Praise is often
accompanied by vivid and compelling language. In short, your goal is to be as descriptive as
possible while also meeting the time requirement.
5. Finally, you do not have to paint your chosen person as a saint. We often learn a great deal from
or are influenced by people in our lives that have compelling but troubled lives.
Delivery Criteria
1. Your mode of delivery should be extemporaneous. You may use notes cards or an electronic
device (for example, an iPad) to aid you in your delivery but not a full-page printed outline.
2. In this presentation, a premium is put on: voice projection, making consistent eye contact, vocal
expression, and maintaining an appropriate rate.
3. In addition, but not as importantly, you should begin to explore your performance space, use
paralinguistics, practice “open” body language, work on articulation, and become aware of your
use of pauses/fillers.
4. There is a standard grade penalty for not meeting or exceeding the time limit (1 point from your
total score for every 10 seconds under or over).
The instructor reserves the right to amend these criteria as necessary.