Tragic Flaw Speeches: The Scarlet Letter

Overview: For this project you will need to take a critical look at yourself and answer the
question: What is your biggest flaw?

Requirements:

1) You must choose one strong, meaning-laden word that summarizes your flaw. Hesters A
stood for adultery. Another example would be G for gullible, meaning that you believe
everything you are told which causes its own set of problems! Please no procrastination!

2) You will be creating a visual representation of the letter which should match the letters
meaning. Please spend time on the creation of your letter. It should be more detailed than
a cut out piece of white paper. Be creative and thoughtful with your work.

3) Fill out the speech planning sheet

4) Compose a 2-3 minute speech with an introduction, a middle, and a conclusion

For your speech, please

1) Find an interesting way to engage the audience. Begin with an anecdote, a
quotation or question, or an interesting fact or statistic.
2) Prove that your flaw is problematic for you by giving two-three specific
examples with explanation.
3) End with a conclusion. Revisit your points, but say something new.
Number three (planning section) might be a good way to conclude your speech.
4) Make certain that you do not go over the time limit! Practice!

BONUS: To get five additional bonus points, you must wear your letter all day. Sign in
before first period and sign out at the end of the day. It must be the same day and your
letter must still be intact.

Scarlet Letter Tragic Flaw-Preparation Sheet

Directions: Please fill out all sections of this sheet. You will need to turn this sheet in
BEFORE your give your speech to receive full credit.

1) Brainstorm a list of five-ten individual flaws.

2) Narrow your focus to one word. Record the word and its definition below.
*You may use a thesaurus to elevate your diction.
Find a word that stands outtake some time on the selection.

Flaw:

Definition:

3) How will you engage the audience in the beginning of your speech?

4) List two-three specific examples that show how the flaw affects your life.

A)

B)

C)

5) How will this flaw hinder or help you in the future? (Consider using this section for the
conclusion of the speech.
 NAME:________________________________
SKILLS 4 90-81
Appropriately focused discussion of a
Topic/Letter flaw with a clear, distinctive
_________ connection between the flaw and the
created letter.
*Advanced word choice
Clearly and logically organized
speech with an engaging
Organization introduction, a logically sequenced
body with appropriate transitions, and
a clear and convincing conclusion.
_________
Explanation Examples are detailed, and the
_________ speaker takes the time to make the
audience fully understand the topic.
A combination of appropriate and
effective eye contact, clarity and
Delivery projection of voice, tone and pace,
and gestures significantly enhance the
________ speakers words.
Please include a self-graded rubric with your speech/project! Your self-graded rubric will be worth 10 points!!
SPEECH RUBRIC-Scarlet Flaw
3 80-71
Focused topic with partial
connection between the flaw and the
created letter.
*Average word choice
Clear attempt at organization with a
beginning, middle, and end/an
attempt to use transitions.
Examples are given but with not as
much elaboration, analysis, and
details of level four.
A combination of appropriate eye
contact, clarity and projection of
voice, tone and pace, and gestures
are used but without the smoothness
of level four.
2 70-61
Somewhat focused connection
between the flaw and the created
letter.
*Below average word choice
Some inconsistencies in organization
and/or a lack of sustained focus
throughout the speech with
inconsistently used transitions.
Examples are given and details are
quickly mentioned without
developed explanation.
Inconsistent use of eye contact,
clarity and projection of voice, tone
and pace, and/or gestures interrupt
the flow of the speech.
1 60-51
Letter is not complete.
A lack of organization makes it
difficult to follow the speakers
ideas; speech may be too
conversational and may ramble
without a clear beginning, middle, or
end
Little to no explanation given for
examples.
Lack of eye contact, clarity and
projection of voice, tone and pace,
and/or appropriate gestures make the
speech difficult to follow.