RHETORICAL CRITICISM ESSAY Objective: To demonstrate the use and effects of rhetorical devices in a publicly delivered speech, and to familiarize students with basic public speaking concepts. Directions: This essay assignment requires reflection and analysis based on observation of a publicly delivered speech utilizing concepts covered in class. On the following pages, you will find a List of Historical Speeches for this assignment. Video recordings and transcripts of these speeches are available to you through the hyperlinks in the list. When analyzing a speech, context, content, and delivery must be considered. Therefore, this critique must include the following topics, as discussed in class: A. Speaker and Subject Identification: (a) Biographical background of the speaker and credibility in a subject area (b) Identification of the subject and the relationship of a subject to the speaker. This task will require the selection and citation of sources to back your claims. B. Audience and Occasion Analysis: (a) a description of the occasion for the speech, including why you chose to observe the speech (b) a description of the audience. C. The structure of the Speech: (a) identify the general and specific purposes, (b) identify the central idea, (c) identify the main points and supporting materials (d) describe the organization and development of ideas and the adequacy of the introduction and conclusion. D. Delivery of the Speech: (a) identify and critique the vocal delivery techniques including the use of language and transitions (b) identify and critique the physical delivery techniques including the use of visual aids and body movement. E. The effectiveness of the Speech: (a) critique the audience response to the speech (b) analyze the overall effectiveness of the speech. This assignment should be written in formal essay style and should be typed (1000 1250 words) not including the title and reference pages. Evaluation of the paper will be based on these criteria (50 points): I. A through E: (5 pts each, 25 Points total) II. Essay Organization (introduction, bodyincluding length, conclusion): (15 Points) III. Mechanics and Delivery (grammar, spelling, neatness): (10 Points) The paper should consist of approximately 80 percent argument based on personal observation and 20 percent definitions of the concepts from class to support or refute your argument. The organization, Mechanics, and Delivery will be assessed by guidelines published by the MLA or APA Style Guide. LIST OF HISTORICAL SPEECHES Listed by date, these speeches have video and transcripts available publicly. If the word (Transcript) does not appear next to the reference, then the transcript is available at the same website as the video. Nixon, R. M. (1952, September 23). The Checkers Speech. (Links to an external site.) Los Angeles, CA. Kennedy, J. F. (1961, January 20). Inaugural Address. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. King, M. L., Jr. (1963, August 28). I Have a Dream. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. (Transcript) (Links to an external site.) Johnson, L. B. (1965, March 15). The 1965 Voting Rights Act. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. King, M. L., Jr. (1968, April 3). Ive Been to the Mountaintop. (Links to an external site.) Memphis, TN. (Transcript) (Links to an external site.) Nixon, R. M. (1974, August 8). Resignation Speech. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. Jordan, B. (1976, July 12). Keynote Address, Democratic National Convention. (Links to an external site.) New York, NY. Reagan, R. (1980, July 17). Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Republican National Convention. (Links to an external site.) Detroit, MI. Jackson, J. (1984, July 17). The Rainbow Coalition, Democratic National Convention. (Links to an external site.) San Francisco, CA. Ferraro, G. (1984, July 19). Vice Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention. (Links to an external site.) San Francisco, CA. Reagan, R. (1986, January 28). Tribute to the Challenger Astronauts. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. The text of these speeches also can be found in: Andrews, J. R., & Zarefsky, D. (1992). Contemporary American voices: Significant speeches in American history, 1945-present. New York: Longman. Lucas, S. E., & Medhurst, M. J. (2009). Words of a century: The top 100 American speeches, 1900-1999. New York: Oxford University.

RHETORICAL CRITICISM ESSAY Objective: To demonstrate the use and effects of rhetorical devices in a publicly delivered speech, and to familiarize students with basic public speaking concepts. Directions: This essay assignment requires reflection and analysis based on observation of a publicly delivered speech utilizing concepts covered in class. On the following pages, you will find a List of Historical Speeches for this assignment. Video recordings and transcripts of these speeches are available to you through the hyperlinks in the list. When analyzing a speech, context, content, and delivery must be considered. Therefore, this critique must include the following topics, as discussed in class: A. Speaker and Subject Identification: (a) Biographical background of the speaker and credibility in a subject area (b) Identification of the subject and the relationship of a subject to the speaker. This task will require the selection and citation of sources to back your claims. B. Audience and Occasion Analysis: (a) a description of the occasion for the speech, including why you chose to observe the speech (b) a description of the audience. C. The structure of the Speech: (a) identify the general and specific purposes, (b) identify the central idea, (c) identify the main points and supporting materials (d) describe the organization and development of ideas and the adequacy of the introduction and conclusion. D. Delivery of the Speech: (a) identify and critique the vocal delivery techniques including the use of language and transitions (b) identify and critique the physical delivery techniques including the use of visual aids and body movement. E. The effectiveness of the Speech: (a) critique the audience response to the speech (b) analyze the overall effectiveness of the speech. This assignment should be written in formal essay style and should be typed (1000 1250 words) not including the title and reference pages. Evaluation of the paper will be based on these criteria (50 points): I. A through E: (5 pts each, 25 Points total) II. Essay Organization (introduction, bodyincluding length, conclusion): (15 Points) III. Mechanics and Delivery (grammar, spelling, neatness): (10 Points) The paper should consist of approximately 80 percent argument based on personal observation and 20 percent definitions of the concepts from class to support or refute your argument. The organization, Mechanics, and Delivery will be assessed by guidelines published by the MLA or APA Style Guide. LIST OF HISTORICAL SPEECHES Listed by date, these speeches have video and transcripts available publicly. If the word (Transcript) does not appear next to the reference, then the transcript is available at the same website as the video. Nixon, R. M. (1952, September 23). The Checkers Speech. (Links to an external site.) Los Angeles, CA. Kennedy, J. F. (1961, January 20). Inaugural Address. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. King, M. L., Jr. (1963, August 28). I Have a Dream. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. (Transcript) (Links to an external site.) Johnson, L. B. (1965, March 15). The 1965 Voting Rights Act. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. King, M. L., Jr. (1968, April 3). Ive Been to the Mountaintop. (Links to an external site.) Memphis, TN. (Transcript) (Links to an external site.) Nixon, R. M. (1974, August 8). Resignation Speech. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. Jordan, B. (1976, July 12). Keynote Address, Democratic National Convention. (Links to an external site.) New York, NY. Reagan, R. (1980, July 17). Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Republican National Convention. (Links to an external site.) Detroit, MI. Jackson, J. (1984, July 17). The Rainbow Coalition, Democratic National Convention. (Links to an external site.) San Francisco, CA. Ferraro, G. (1984, July 19). Vice Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech, Democratic National Convention. (Links to an external site.) San Francisco, CA. Reagan, R. (1986, January 28). Tribute to the Challenger Astronauts. (Links to an external site.) Washington, DC. The text of these speeches also can be found in: Andrews, J. R., & Zarefsky, D. (1992). Contemporary American voices: Significant speeches in American history, 1945-present. New York: Longman. Lucas, S. E., & Medhurst, M. J. (2009). Words of a century: The top 100 American speeches, 1900-1999. New York: Oxford University.