Summit Academy Speech Festival

Summit Academy Speech Festival

Important Dates:

·  Topic due Wednesday, October 5 (A) OR Thursday, October 6 (B)

·  Writing plan due Monday, October 10 (A) OR Friday, October 7 (B)

·  Typed rough draft (double spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman) and three sources due

Monday, October 17 (A) OR Tuesday, October 18 (B)

·  Partial Memorization & second draft due Wednesday, October 26 (A) OR Friday, October 28 (B)

·  Final draft, bibliography (MLA format, easybib.com), & memorized presentations due

Wednesday, November 2 (A) OR Thursday, November 3 (B)

·  School competition for class finalists on Thursday, November 17

In class we will be working on writing and presenting an argumentative speech. An argumentative speech is aimed at influencing the values, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes of the audience. You will try to convince people to agree with a different idea, attitude and belief, react to something, or consider doing things they were previously unwilling to do.

Your speech can address a national, state, or school/family issue. You will need to outline the current situation, and you will need to do some research on your topic in order to give credible information to your audience. At least THREE sources are required for your essay. You will identify these sources in your essay by using in-text citations and a bibliography. You also need to give a new alternative to the current situation and inspire your audience to agree with you (Plan of Action).

Sample Argumentative Speech Topics

·  Climate Change

·  Environmental issues

·  Discrimination issues based on race, gender, religion, etc.

·  Violence (in schools, homes, towards animals)

·  Age requirements for voting or driving

·  Personal responsibilities toward other countries, children, the poor, the sick, etc.

·  Salaries of celebrities or professional athletes versus other professions

·  Subjects taught in school

·  Cheating or bullying in school

·  Bans on music, movies, books, etc.

·  Charter schools versus private or public schools

·  Sport programs (should baseball still be America’s greatest past time, should cheerleading be considered a sport)

·  Community issues

·  Nutritional issues (should vending machines be allowed in schools, etc.)

·  Home issues – allowances, curfews, chores, etc.

Add any other issues that you feel would fit with this assignment:

Brainstorm

Make a list of at least 5 issues that you feel strongly about. You are welcome to use the ideas listed above, but be more specific. Also, you can come up with your own issues; don’t limit yourself to the above list!

1.  ______

2.  ______

3.  ______

4.  ______

5.  ______

Next, you need to choose TWO of your options from above. Place a star next to them.

Brainstorming Prompt Questions

Get a blank piece of paper. Fold your paper in half length-wise and list your two topic choices at the top of the paper (one on each half).

Fold your paper so you can only see one of your topics. Answer the following questions based on that topic. Then, switch to the other half of the paper and repeat the questions based on the second topic.

v  Why do you feel strongly about this topic?

v  Do others feel the same way as you? Why or why not?

v  How will you convince other people to consider your opinion?

v  What are some other opinions regarding this same topic?

v  Does this topic evoke emotions? What kind of emotions do you experience when you think about your opinion of this topic? (Example: frustration)

v  What are the important facts about your topic?

v  What would you need to research to find out more about your topic? Where would you find that information?

Before you choose a topic, consider the following requirements:

v  It needs to be something you have a lot to say about.

v  It needs to be something that you have feelings about.

v  It needs to be something that you will feel comfortable presenting as a speech.