Communications Question

Learning Goal: I’m working on a communications writing question and need guidance to help me learn.

Assignment: My most significant, significant other! [Part 1 of 2]: Essay/Script

Total Points Possible: 30 [15 points/outline & 15 points/oral presentation]

Description of Assignment: In this class, we are exploring communication in relationships. At formal occasions for important life events, we are often asked to honor people we have a significant relationship with by giving a speech of tribute. For this speech, you will reflect on someone with whom you have a significant relationship and develop a speech honoring two positive qualities of that person that are appropriate for such an occasion. These positive qualities can be qualities such as courage, kindness, honesty, commitment, service, etc. You will develop the speech by sharing specific stories about the person that demonstrate a time they expressed those qualities. You will share one story for each positive quality. The formal speech assignment consists of two parts: 1) the written manuscript of the speech, and 2) an oral presentation of the speech.

Objectives:

• Express appreciation for a person in a significant relationship
• Develop and deliver effective public speeches that demonstrate rhetorical principles of competent communication.

Part One: The Speech ‘script. Part One of this assignment requires that you write a formal manuscript/essay honoring a significant person with whom you have a personal relationship in your life.

Before you begin your formal manuscript/essay by completing each of the following:

• Choose an individual or couple to honor that you know and have a high level of intimacy with.
• Choose a specific, hypothetical, life event with a formal gathering and audience where you would honor the individual or couplesuch as a graduation, significant birthday party, award ceremony, funeral, wedding, anniversary, retirement party, going-away party, memorial event, etc.
• Identify 2 positive characteristics of the honoree/s
• For each characteristic identify a specific, detailed story about them showing each characteristic.

Once you have gathered your information and material you will now create/write your formal manuscript (using full sentences and distinct paragraphs)! Below is an outline of the requirements for each section of the speech manuscript. Include all the following information in the content of your final manuscript/essay:

Introduction

• • Greet the audience by welcoming them or thanking them.
  • Acknowledge the audience and occasion.
  • Speak about the reason for the occasion.
  • Acknowledge the honoree/s.
  • Identify your relationship to the honoree.
  • Thesis: Two things I admire about [Name the person] are ____ and ____.

Body

A. First, [Name] is …

• • Describe that characteristic about the honoree/s.
    • Can describe how the honoree/s show the characteristic.
    • Can describe why the characteristic is worthy of honor.
  • Provide a unique/ specific story of the honoree/s showing the characteristic.
  • Give context for the story.
  • Provide details.
  • Connect the story back to the characteristic you are honoring.

B. Second, [Name] is ….

• • Describe that characteristic about the honoree/s.
    • Can describe how the honoree/s show the characteristic.
    • Can describe why the characteristic is worthy of honor.
  • Provide a unique/ specific story of the honoree/s showing the characteristic.
  • Give context for the story.
  • Provide details.
  • Connect the story back to the characteristic you are honoring.

C. Conclusion

• • Invite the audience to join in honoring the honoree/s.
  • Thank the audience and exit/end gracefully

Grading Standards

• Length: This should be a 3-6 minute speech, so page length for the manuscript will likely be 3-4 full pages, double-spaced using a 12-point font.
• This is a manuscript assignment and should be written in full sentences and paragraphs.
• Enact college-level achievement in terms of grammar, organization, sentence/paragraph structure, punctuation, capitalization, and attention to detail in your communication.
• Proofread carefully and edit for clarity, the flow of thought, structure, grammar, punctuation, typos, spelling errors, etc.