ENGL 112
Ms. Kravig
Spring 2012
Paper 2: The Power
of Speech
For your second formal paper in
this class, you will put on the shoes of a presidential candidate and write a
campaign speech. There are two ways in which you and your Writing Buddy may
collaborate: 1. You are opposing presidential candidates and your written
speeches will be counter-arguments.
2. You are running-mates (president and vice-president candidates) and will be supporting arguments. Choose one of these options and write your
speech accordingly. As you build your persuasive speech, find themes and
sources that are interesting to you and develop a strong thesis. From that
thesis, build your argument, be sure to include necessary background
information, the context and conversation you are entering, good reasons,
convincing evidence, appeals to your audience, other positions, and, as always,
be aware of the tone of your writing. Include at least 2-3 relevant sources to
support your argument.
An A paper will
demonstrate excellent composition skills—developed through hard work and elbow
grease. These skills include but are not limited to: appropriate and effective
(strong) organization, lively and convincing supporting evidence, effective
diction and sentence skills, and perfect or near perfect mechanics. It will
show careful and thorough consideration of the key features of an argument. An
A paper will exceed expectations.
Objectives
After completing the persuasive
speech, students should be able to:
• Identify their target audience
and the areas where the target audience might be persuaded
• Develop strategies designed to
increase an oppositional audience’s support for your position
• Make language choices that
appeal to an oppositional audience
• Extemporize a speech in a
lively manner (extra credit)
Audience: Voting
Americans.
Length: 3-4 pages, word-processed, double-spaced, TNR 12 pt font,
MLA or APA format
Draft 1 Due: Tuesday, May 1 Bring 2 paper copies (turnitin.com
by 8 a.m.)
Draft 2 Due: Thursday, May 10 Bring 1 paper copy (turnitin.com by 8 a.m.)
REMEMBER
- Don't panic!
- Presidential candidates have certain issues that they
refer to as their “platform.” For example, candidate Ron Paul often
focuses on the economy or universal healthcare. They choose these topics
because these are the topics that the public cares about.
- Most campaigns have a slogan. Barack Obama’s 2012
campaign slogan is “I’m In. Are You?” Think of incorporating one into your
speech.
- Know your audience.
- No papers are accepted after 5 pm the day that it is
due. 20% off for any paper turned in late, and 10% off for any paper
turned in late to turnitin.com. If the paper is not on turnitin.com, it
will not receive a grade.
- Extra credit will
be given to volunteers who perform their completed speech.
