Speech Unit: What Makes a Good Speech?

Warm-up: What are the qualities/characteristics of a strong, engaging speech? Create a “must have” list of these qualities/characterisitcs.

Read/Critique

Directions: Read through each of the five speeches you picked up at the beginning of class. Use a separate piece of paper:1. Create a “strengths” and “weaknesses” (pro/con) chart for each

speech. Have at least three strengths AND three weaknesses of each speech. Provide examples.

2. Choose one quote from each speech that you feel captures the author’s voice/vision best. Briefly defend your reasoning for choosing this particular quote.

3. In your opinion, what is the strongest speech and why? The weakest?

Small Groups

• Get into small groups and discuss your findings fro each speech. As a group, rank each speech from 1-5 (1 being weakest, 5 being strongest). Be ready to discuss each speech as a class.