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