Different types of ceremonial speeches

Commemorative Speech Assignment

CST 100

Overview: For this commemorative speech, you will pay tribute to a person, place, thing, or idea that has

had a positive impact on your life, community, and/or the world. This type of speech occurs often in the real

world: awards acceptance/recognition, best man/maid-of-honor speeches, and eulogies to name a few.

Sometimes called a ceremonial speech, the commemorative speech utilizes creative language to allow the

speaker to create a positive picture of the speech subject in the minds of the audience.

For the commemorative speech, you will pick a subject that a majority of people view as praiseworthy. Praising

a person for his or her work ethic and courage is a good example. An unapproved topic would be to praise

Washington DC for legalizing marijuana. Once you pick a subject worthy of praise, you will praise that subject

for TWO (2) virtues the subject exemplifies. For example, you could praise the Human Rights Project for their

tireless work in promoting 1) equality and 2) justice for all humans. Those virtues, then, serve as your two main

points of your speech.

There will be no formal research for this speech. You will, however, have to demonstrate how the subject

exemplifies the values through narratives, examples, and/or testimonies. And, instead of sources, you will be

required to include 3-5 different types of stylistic devices (repetition, alliteration, parallelism, antithesis, simile,

metaphor, etc…) See Chapter 18 – Language for more information on the devices. You will label these in the

manuscript.

Commemorative Speech Requirements/Evaluation Criteria:

 This speech is due on the day and time you sign up. o Other components (proposal and outline) are due on their assigned due dates.

 SPEECH TIME: 2-3 minutes (if you go over or under points will be deducted)

 Your speech should be prepared with: o A clear organizational pattern

 A clear introduction that states your subject and the TWO (2) virtues you chose

 Main points that illustrate the two virtues you chose

 A clear conclusion that restates the subject, virtues, and memorable ending

o Sufficient transition statements, signposts, and preview/review statements

 No visual aid for this speech

 3-4 different types of stylistic devices (repetition, alliteration, parallelism, antithesis, simile, metaphor, etc…) See Chapter 18 – Language for more information on the devices. Then, LABEL YOUR

STYLISTIC DEVICES in the manuscript.

 You must submit a COMPLETED, TYPED, full speech MANUSCRIPT by the assigned due date on

CANVAS. This speech is NOT AN OUTLINE. Instead, it is a word-for-word manuscript in essay

format.

 You must deliver your speech from the manuscript.

You will also be evaluated on delivery components: Conversational Delivery, Maintaining Eye Contact

at least 50% of the time, proper use of Voice-Volume Tone and Rate, and Appropriate/Natural Physicality