Speech #1: Oral Response to Literature

Each student will present a speech, known as an Oral Response to Literature, which will address one of the outside reading selections he/she completed during this academic quarter (books must be selected and pre-approved by Ms. DeGiobbi by Friday, Sept. 2, 2016). The speech will need to be approximately 5 minutes in length and will be worth 100 points. Speeches will begin on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016. The Oral Response to Literature Presentation will need to address the following literary components:

1.  The protagonist - The main character in a literary work; the character that readers want to see succeed in the story

2.  The antagonist – The character or “thing” that opposes (or goes against, gives a hard time to) the protagonist

3.  The plot – The sequence of events in a literary work, which usually includes characters and a conflict (a summary of what happens in the story)

4.  The conflict – The struggle between opposing forces (usually, the protagonist and the antagonist). Characters in conflict form the basis of stories, novels, and plays.

5.  The theme – A central message, lesson, or insight into life revealed through the literary work

6.  The climax – The high point of interest or suspense in a literary work

7.  S – Speaker: Who is the Speaker? The voice who is narrating/telling the story.

8.  O - Occasion: What is the Occasion? The time and place of the piece; the current situation – also referred to as the Setting.

9.  A - Audience: Who is the Audience? The group of readers to whom this piece is directed.

10.  P - Purpose: What is the Purpose of this piece? The reason(s) behind why the text was written.

11.  S - Subject: What is the Subject? The general topic, content, and ideas contained in the text.

12.  TONE - Tone: What is the Tone of this piece? The writer's attitude toward his readers and his subject; his mood or moral view.

Written Analysis: Students will need to address the above 12 literary devices in complete sentences, which will be due at the beginning of class on the first day that speeches begin.

Assignment Completion: Students will have some time in class on Fridays to read in their outside reading book, work on their written analysis, and create a visual to accompany their speech, and therefore should bring their book to class every Friday.

Visual Aid: Students are required to draw an illustration or construct a collage (8 1/2 x 11 is sufficient), which symbolizes any one/all of the above Literary Devices.

3x5 Index cards: Up to 8 3x5 note-cards may be used in the delivery of this speech (front and back is acceptable, but these Index cards should be used as note-cards. It is unacceptable to write out your speech in full on your Index cards – paraphrase only).