Speech Critique Format: The Purpose Of This Assignment

Speech Critique Format the Purpose Of This Assignment Is To Give You Th

The purpose of this assignment is to critique a live speech you attend that lasts at least 10 minutes. You should observe and analyze the speaker's delivery, content, and effectiveness, and write a 2-3 page double-spaced critique in paragraph form. The critique must include a description of the situation, details about the speech content, an evaluation of the speaker's delivery, and overall impressions. Additionally, you are required to create a title page with details such as the speech title, speaker's name, location, date, and your name. The critique is due by December 13 and must be emailed as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file. Submissions in WordPerfect (.wpd) will not be accepted or graded.

Paper For Above instruction

The task of critiquing a live speech offers an invaluable opportunity to develop critical listening and analytical skills, essential for effective communication. This assignment requires attending a live public speaking event—such as at a school, church, club, or business setting—where the speaker delivers a speech lasting no less than ten minutes. The critique must be comprehensive, spanning 2 to 3 double-spaced pages, and structured in paragraph form to facilitate a cohesive analysis of various aspects of the speech and delivery.

Beginning with the environmental and situational context, the critique should describe the occasion, including the time of day and any significance the event holds for both the speaker and audience. Understanding the purpose of the speech—whether to entertain, inform, or persuade—is crucial to framing subsequent evaluations. Details about the audience, such as size, setting, and physical characteristics, help contextualize the speaker's approach and engagement strategies. Information about the speaker, including their name, background, biography, and any relevant circumstances, provides insight into their credibility and presentation style.

The core of the critique involves an appraisal of the speech content. This includes identifying the subject, analyzing the introduction, and parsing the thesis statement. The body of the speech should be examined for major points, the pattern of organization, and the types of evidence used. The conclusion should be evaluated for how effectively it summarizes and reinforces the speech’s purpose. This comprehensive content analysis aids in understanding the overall structure and strength of the speech.

Moving to delivery evaluation, the critique must assess the type of delivery—such as impromptu, manuscript, or memorized—as well as voice quality, appearance, dress, gestures, facial expressiveness, and bodily actions. These elements significantly influence audience engagement and perceived speaker credibility. The overall physical and vocal presentation skills are critical components of an effective speech, and their evaluation offers constructive feedback for improvement.

Finally, the critique concludes with overall impressions, including a final evaluation of the speaker's effectiveness, the impact on the audience, and the speaker’s ability to accomplish their purpose. This section synthesizes the analysis into an overarching assessment, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. The report should reflect on how well the speaker connected with the audience, maintained interest, and conveyed their message convincingly.

This process enhances understanding of effective speech strategies and broadens analytical perspectives on public speaking. Adherence to these guidelines—providing detailed, well-organized analysis grounded in observation—will result in a comprehensive critique that demonstrates both critical listening skills and an appreciation for effective communication.

References

• Beebe, S. A., & Beebe, S. J. (2017). Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (10th ed.). Pearson.
• Lucas, S. E. (2019). The Art of Public Speaking (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• McCroskey, J. C., & McCroskey, L. L. (2014). An Introduction to Communication. Pearson.
• Seiler, W. (2010). Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach (4th ed.). Pearson.
• Hoffman, D. J. (2013). Elements of Speech Communication. Routledge.
• Fisher, B. A., & McCroskey, J. C. (2012). Communication Skills for Life and Work. Pearson.
• Goodnight, G. T., & Miller, K. (2018). Advanced Public Speaking. Routledge.
• St. Amant, K. (2011). Communication and Technology: Skills for a Changing World. Routledge.
• Jones, S. H. (2015). Essential Elements of Public Speaking. Sage Publications.
• Anderson, P. A. (2020). Practical Public Speaking. Oxford University Press.