Success Speech

COM 1330 Success Speech

A 3 to 4 minute oral presentation

Thinking about this assignment:

We all have objects that symbolize success: keepsakes, photos, trophies, diplomas, announcements, certificates, and letters of acceptance. We often hold onto these items as reminders of hard-won victories and special moments in our lives. This speech assignment invites you to introduce yourself to your classmates using one of these symbols of your success.

In sharing your success you are also telling the audience about your story: what’s important to you, what obstacles you’ve overcome, and what your vision of the future is. This speech then, has two purposes:

• to inform the audience about you through storytelling, and
• to share an object that represents a success you’ve had in your life

You should begin work on this speech by thinking about turning points in your life. How are these turning points represented? A photograph? A book that changed the way you look at something? A gift from a family member or friend?

Next move outside yourself to ask, what does the audience need to know to understand the symbol? How can I organize this talk to best share this information with them? What stories can I tell?

Objectives of this assignment

• to introduce yourself to the audience using an object that symbolizes your success
• to deliver speech extemporaneously from brief outline, making eye contact with audience
• to become familiar with speech structure (Introduction, Body and Conclusion).

Steps to building a successful Success Speech

• Select your Success!

Choose your object and consider what it represents. Make sure that the object is small enough to hold in your hands while you speak. Don’t bring in your car or your dog, but a good photograph of your car or your dog would work well.

• Begin gathering your information.

What object do you have that can tell a unique story about you and your achievements? What does the object symbolize, and what is the story behind the symbol? What does the symbol represent to you? What does the audience need to know to understand why this is a success for you? Hard work? Family? Etc.

• Organize the information.

Start by piquing the audience’s curiosity. What are you holding? Is it obvious (a trophy) or does it need an explanation? (“In this envelope is the most important letter I have ever gotten.”) Then tell a story, making sure that the details flow clearly, usually in chronological order. After your explanation, draw a conclusion relating this symbol of success to your past, your future, or to your present-day values and attitudes.

• Prepare the outline.

Out loud, begin talking through your speech thinking ‘beginning, middle, and end’ (i.e. introduction, body, and conclusion.) Outline in writing as you go. When you find ‘bumpy places,’ try saying it in different ways. Find language that is comfortable to you. Say it again. Jot down the main point (or thesis), transitional phrases, quotations, and other parts of the speech you need to remember. Other points can be bulleted using “key words” to jog your memory. Be sure to include previews and summaries. Practice reading your rough outline and try out rearranging the parts. When you are ready, type up a nice clean copy for the instructor. You hand that in after your speech. Make sure you include any references if you bring in any outside information. However, no references are required if you stick to your experience.

• Rehearse!

Rehearse while holding the object. Refer to the outline but don’t read off a manuscript. Time your speech. Practice your speech again, again and again.

“C” level speech

• Conforms to assignment
• Extemporaneous delivery (not read off of a script)
• Student ready on speech day
• Speech within time limits
• Has clear specific purpose and central idea
• Identifiable introduction, body, conclusion
• Mostly clear and competent delivery
• Free of grammar and pronunciation errors
• Outline is clear, readable and free of errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation
• All supporting material is cited properly and fully

“B” level speech

Meets all of the requirements for a “C” speech plus:

• Deals with a challenging subject
• Fulfills all major functions of introduction, body and conclusion
• Displays clear organization of main points and supporting material
• Backs up claims with facts (warranted claims)
• Support of main points with evidence is accurate, relevant, and sufficient
• Skillful delivery: not distracting to message
• Proficient use of connectives: transitions, internal previews and summaries, signposts

“A” level Speech

All the requirements for a “C” and “B” speech plus:

• Genuine contribution by speaker to the knowledge and beliefs of the audience
• Sustains positive interest of audience
• Vivid and interesting use of language
• Claims are supported with specific examples and facts
• Speaker displays confidence, insight and uses storytelling and humor effectively
• Fluent delivery that strengthens message
• Student research shows a range of supporting materials including books and academic articles

“D” level Speech

Is seriously deficient in “C” requirements.

“F” level Speech

Speech doesn’t follow assignment; speaker is not prepared.