The Cornerstones of the Shepard Academy
i can apply effective public speaking skills to deliver a declamation speech
What is a Declamation Speech?
Demosthenes 384BC-322BC
A declamation speech is the term used to describe the re-giving of a famous speech. The speaker 'lives into' the original, reproducing its power once more.
Often this task will be set as part of studying public speaking skills. The purpose is to have you directly experience the power of masterfully crafted language. Through imitation, the techniques and skills of the original orator are learned.
Today's declamation speech practice originated in ancient Greece where public speaking was considered a necessary art for anybody embarking on a career in public service. A declamation was a practice piece set by a teacher for exactly the same reason they are set these days: so you can learn the skills of combining eloquent language with equally eloquent delivery.
Often this task will be set as part of studying public speaking skills. The purpose is to have you directly experience the power of masterfully crafted language. Through imitation, the techniques and skills of the original orator are learned.
Today's declamation speech practice originated in ancient Greece where public speaking was considered a necessary art for anybody embarking on a career in public service. A declamation was a practice piece set by a teacher for exactly the same reason they are set these days: so you can learn the skills of combining eloquent language with equally eloquent delivery.
How to Choose a Declamation Speech
A great declamation piece will combine all of the qualities listed in the following areas:
- Style of Language:
Elevated, inspirational, elegant, poetic, masterful - the speech should be an example of 'beautiful' language and construction. - Theme:
The message or theme running through it should be worthy of its oratorical treatment, ie. the style of language specified above. It must be important and applicable beyond the time it was first delivered. For example, Martin Luther King's 'I Had a Dream' speech has carried its theme down the years without any loss of potency or relevance. - Impact:
The speech must have reached and grabbed the hearts and minds of its listeners. It will have persuasively challenged and changed the way people thought and acted, uniting and inspiring them toward a common goal or course of action.
Finding a Declamation Speech
Use these links to find a speech you can get excited about delivering.
Famous Speeches from African Americans
Famous American Speeches
Famous Speeches - World Wide
Famous Speeches by Women
Listen to Famous Speeches
Famous Speeches from African Americans
- African American History: Major Speeches
- Say It Plain - American Radio Works -A century of great African American speeches
- Notable Speeches and Letters by African Americans from Benjamin Banneker to Barack Obama
Famous American Speeches
Famous Speeches - World Wide
Famous Speeches by Women
Listen to Famous Speeches
Tell us about your speech
We want to know about your speech. Complete the assignment posted on Google Classroom.
Writing an introduction for your speech
Before writing the introduction, think about what your audience needs to know to better understand your speech. What is the main idea of your speech? What is the mood or tone of your speech? How can you connect with the audience through shared experiences or values? How can you incorporate emotional appeal? Can you make it creative?
Your introductions should be 20-45 seconds without rushing.
Your introduction should include the following:
Arrange the information in a way that entices your audience and builds to an emotional concluding sentence. Remember to use transitional words and phrases and to combine ideas to create fluency.
You can begin with your introduction or include it after the opening of your speech. There should be a clear distinction between the text of your declamation speech and your introduction.
Your introductions should be 20-45 seconds without rushing.
Your introduction should include the following:
- An attention getting device: a quote, a rhetorical question, a startling fact or statistic, an anecdote, a vivid image, an allusion to something important in literature or history.
- Transition or background if necessary.
- Something to help prepare your readers to better understand the speech: an expression of the main idea, something to set the tone or mood.
- The date and/or the occasion the speech was delivered.
- Where it was delivered.
- To whom it was delivered.
- The author of the speech.
Arrange the information in a way that entices your audience and builds to an emotional concluding sentence. Remember to use transitional words and phrases and to combine ideas to create fluency.
You can begin with your introduction or include it after the opening of your speech. There should be a clear distinction between the text of your declamation speech and your introduction.
Rehearsing Your Declamation Speech
- Understanding is your top priority
If you learn or memorize the text without it, your delivery will be empty - an ultimate talking head presentation.
- Find out about context
What was the occasion the speech was written for?
Who was the audience?
What did they need or expect from the speech?
- Find out about the original speech maker
Who was he or she?
What delivery characterisitcs did they use?
What passions drove them?
What did they want from the speech? (Its purpose or goal.)
- What does this speech mean to you?
Can you put what is being said into your own words?
The more you dig into the meaning of the piece, emotionally and intellectually, the more able you'll be to convey it convincingly.
- Print the speech out in a clear font, double spaced
You will use the gaps to write yourself notes and mark it up for delivery. For example, putting in the pauses, or breath points, the places to soften your voice, or increase the volume.
- If you can, listen to original speech while reading from your copy.
Note how the voice is being used.
What qualities are you hearing?
Do they change for different portions of the speech?
Can you hear a beat or rhythm?
Listen until you can clearly identify changes in tone, pitch, and pace.
And now practice.
The goal is not to impersonate the speech maker. You don't have to "become'" Winston Churchill, but you do have to find and sincerely draw out the qualities of the speech that made it memorable.
Before delivering each speech, you'll have an opportunity to practice your speech for peer / instructor feedback and complete a practice record . You can also practice you speech for friends and family outside of class.