Students must select one of the following
speech formats. Students cannot change
formats once they are selected.
Regardless of which option is selected, all speeches must include an
introduction, body points, and a conclusion.
Students must dress formally and if called for, in character. Judges will be grading students based on the
speech format, content, speaking skills, and presentation. Each student will
also grade three speeches.
Persuasive Speech
The students will present an
original persuasive speech on a researched topic from the Civil Rights
Movement. The speech should discuss an
issue and take a position. This should not be a narrative or story time. The
ultimate goal is to persuade the audience that your view or thesis is
correct. No notes may be used. The
speaker should come back to the thesis throughout the speech and will be judged
on how convincing they are overall.
Role Playing
The student will present a
memorized speech or portion of a speech delivered by an individual associated with
their topic. In other words, you are playing a specific historic person and
delivering a historic speech from memory (MLK’s I Have a Dream). The student
will introduce the speech with info about the speaker and its historical
significance. The speaker should be in character for at least 2/3rds of the
speech. No notes may be used.
Original Poetry
The student will present a
dramatic presentation of an original poem or a series of poems related to the
assigned topic. The poetry must be memorized and no notes or props may be
used. The student will begin the
presentation introducing the theme and end by explaining its significance. This can be done in spoken word or
recitation. The goal is for the audience to gain an understanding of the topic,
either through the poem or other content.
Storytelling
The student will construct and
tell a story based on a historical event.
This story must be historically accurate and no notes or props may be
used. The story will be told in the
first person. In other words, you are
acting like you were a person who was there at the event or alive at the time. The
student will introduce the presentation with some background about the event
and its significance to the
speaker.
