FOR ENGLISH 112-6

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.