Analyzing a Famous Speech

Prepare a four-to-six minute speech analyzing one of the 100 top speeches that appear on the American Rhetoric Web site (www.americanrhetoric.com)

Prepare a full-preparation outline and submit it to the instructor before your presentation. You should have an introduction, body, a conclusion, and a reference section. (View the full-preparation outline on the instructor's Web site.)

The goal of this speech is to critique a famous speech, inform the audience about the speaker's background, location, purpose and goals of the speech, and the impact of the speech (http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html).

Let the audience know why you selected your speech, what you learned from reading/listening to the speech, and what you learned about the speaker.

Deliver your remarks extemporaneously, establish eye contact, adhere to the time limit, and use 4 x 6 note cards.

Be prepared to respond to questions following your presentation.

In order to avoid duplication of speeches, students should e-mail the instructor at ahernjames@fhda.edu with the speech that you have selected for delivery by Friday, October 10, (midnight). Five points will be deducted for late submissions.

This speech is worth 30-points and will be video taped. Bring a VHS tape on the day of your speech. The full-preparation outline is worth five-points. Within seven days of delivery of this speech, students should submit a two page, written self-critique that is worth 10-points.

Refer to this Web site for the self-critique of the famous speech assignment.