AP Lang

Speech Competition (Argument)

You will be graded using the scoring criteria for an argument essay, but your classmates
will be the ones to judge the winner of the competition.
Guidelines:
o Your speech must follow the argument essay format (introduction, narration,
argument, argument, argument (all of which should be supported with evidence & your own
thoughts), refutation, & conclusion)
o Your speech must be 3-5 minutes
o You must use all three classical appeals
o Logos, pathos, ethos
o You must include THREE rhetorical devices (see pg. 2) in your speech
*This unit and all of our readings & viewings had to do with the English language and its
connection to power & identity. Think about which reading/viewing stood out to you, or
think about your own experiences. Ideally this should be a speech that you enjoy giving,
so pick a topic that youll want to talk about.

Dates:
January 31- Topic Proposal due
o Choose your topic from pg. 3 (or create your own) and write one paragraph
on how you intend to argue it by this date.
February 2 outline due
o Any form of outline will do. You could do something similar to what you did
for the group argument essay, or you could fill out one of the blank
templates given to you.
February 8- Check-in
o I will check for the start of a speech (at least 1 page).
February 10- Writing Center
o By this date, you must have visited the Writing Center for feedback (Ill check
the sign-in).
February 14 & 15- speeches
o All speeches are due and will be presented.

*Please note, I will be grading you on the argument format that I hear in your speech. Ill
take notes to make sure you have all aspects needed. I will not collect your speech.*
Pg. 2- Rhetorical Devices:
1. Metaphor: compares two different things in a figurative sense. Unlike in a simile (A is like B.), like is
not used in metaphor (A is B.).
Ex: -Truths are first clouds, then rain, then harvest and food.
Ex: -Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a
raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations.
2. Alliteration: The initial consonant sound is usually repeated in two neighboring words. Alliteration draws
attention to the phrase and is often used for emphasis.
Ex: -killer command
Ex: -fantastic philosophy
Ex: -A neat knot need not be re-knotted.
Ex: -for the greater good of ...
Ex: -safety and security
Ex: -share a continent but not a country
3. Allusion: used to explain or clarify a complex problem. Note that allusion works best if you keep it short
and refer to something the reader/audience is familiar with, for example, famous people, history,
mythology, literature, the bible, etc.
Ex: -the Scrooge Syndrome (refers to the rich, grieve and mean Ebeneezer Scrooge from Charles
Dickens Christmas Carol)
Ex: -The software included a Trojan Horse. (refers to the Trojan horse from Greek mythology)
Ex: -Plan ahead. It was not raining when Noah built the Ark. (refers to the biblical Ark of Noah)
4. Anaphora: successive sentences or clauses start with the same word.
Ex: -A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition but no love is dead. A man with ambition
and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive.
5. Antithesis: uses structure to highlight contrasting ideas.
Ex: -That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
Ex: -To err is human; to forgive, divine.
Ex: -It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father.
6. Hyperbole: deliberate exaggeration.
Ex: -I was so hungry that I could eat an elephant.
Ex: -I have told you a thousand times.
7. Hypophora: question asked and answered by the speaker.
Ex: -Why is it better to love than be loved? It is surer. (Sarah Guitry)
8. Parallelism: parallel structure in successive clauses in a sentence.
Ex: -We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interest, and
teach us what it means to be citizens.
Ex: -The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The
great teacher inspires.
Ex: -The mistakes of the fool are known to the world, but not to himself. The mistakes of the wise
man are known to himself, but not to the world.
Ex: -Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I will learn.
9. Rhetorical question: question without a direct answer.
Ex: -When public money brings windfalls to a few, why should the state not take a share?
10. Understatement: weaken or soften a statement, usually to emphasize the very opposite, sometimes for
politeness.
Ex: -I know a little about running a company. (a successful businessman might modestly say.)
Ex: -I think we have slightly different opinions on this topic. (instead of: I don't agree with you at all)

Pg. 3- Topics:
o

English should be declared the national language of the United States.

To succeed in America, its important to speak, read, and understand English as

most Americans speak it. Theres nothing cruel or unfair in that; its just the way it
is.

The English language has become ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are
foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish
thoughts.

Language is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape for our own
purposes.

A bad usage of language can spread by tradition and imitation, even among people
who should and do know better.

Language defines the type of people we are and it has an effect on the choices and
lifestyles we follow.

Just because someone cannot speak the English language to perfection, that
doesnt in any way make them less intelligent than someone who is born in this
country and understands and speaks English fluently.

There is an unbreakable link between language and individuality.

Language is constantly changing, but because of technology and social media, the
change is not change for the better.

*If you dont like any of these, you can create your own statement to defend or
refute*