You will prepare and deliver a tribute speech, which seeks to honor or praise something. You may discuss a person, place, or thing. However, the topic must be researchable like your previous speeches, so you can't choose a family member
Ceremonial Speech Requirements
Prompt: You will prepare and deliver a tribute speech, which seeks to honor or praise something. You may discuss a person, place, or thing. However, the topic must be researchable like your previous speeches, so you can't choose a family member, friend, car, house, etc. Most students choose an organization they are a part of like the Red Cross or Amnesty International. They also choose causes like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Autism Week, and May Day. If you choose a famous person (which isn't required) focus on something that he/she is not known for please, so we can learn something. Most students choose an organization they are a part of like the Red Cross or Amnesty International. They also choose causes like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Autism Week, and May Day, or things like Airborne Museum, Lebron James, Elon Musk etc. Choose something that you are familiar and interested in. The topic must be approved.
Details:
- Your speech should be 2-4 minutes in length.
- You cannot read a manuscript (paper). The speech should be delivered extemporaneously. Thus, you must develop a “phrase” or “full-sentence” speech outline to speak from. See the “Resources” tab.
- A PowerPoint IS OPTIONAL. If you choose to use one, the same requirements apply from the persuasive speech.
- You must verbally cite quality, academic sources within your speech (Peer-reviewed journals, books, newspapers, news reports, trade journals, academic and government publications, etc.). TWO (2) sources are required for full credit.
- Professional Dress (business casual or formal wear) is required: no hats, scarves, hoodies, clothing that is distracting from your message (t-shirts with words or messaging), athletic apparel, holes in clothing, jogging pants, jeans, etc. You need to “dress the part”, which means looking as if you are speaking to a professional audience.
Required Documents:
- You must post your “phrase” or “full-sentence” outline before using it to speak from.
- You must post your PowerPoint (OPTIONAL) before performing the speech.
- You must post an APA Reference page before performing the speech, listing the two (or more) sources verbally cited in your speech. A zero grade will be given for the speech outline and performance if a reference page is not posted.
Keys for Success:
- Have a clear organizational pattern: Utilizing clear main points that follow a logical structure is important for audience understanding.
- Familiarize, don’t try to memorize the speech: The key to extemporaneous speaking is not memorizing your entire speech. You may memorize the main points in each section (Introduction--attention-getter and preview, Body-main points, Conclusion-summary and clincher). Then practice speaking (not reading) the speech several times before speech day. Understand Oral Citations: Ensure you are citing your sources WITHIN your speech as you provide the information that you gained from them. Include in your outline how you plan to say them