Hero Speech

COM115

Objectives:
1. To allow students to begin familiarizing themselves with the speech development process
2. To provide students with an easy, comfortable, second speaking experience in the public speaking class
Speech Details:
Think of a real-life person (not Sponge Bob, Spiderman, Superwoman, etc.) who you believe to be a hero. What have
they done to make them your hero? How have they helped the world around them? Your choice should be school
appropriate. Your hero may be someone famous, related to you, someone you have met, or someone you just admire.
During the speech, you detail 3 reasons why you believe the person you have chosen to be a hero. Each point should be
well-developed and explained thoroughly.

Organizational Guidelines:

Speech must have an introduction, body, and conclusion (see outline)

Plan to speak from brief notes not a word-for-word manuscript (this is called extemporaneous delivery). Eye
contact is vital for successful presentations.
Practice your speech several times before presentation day. You should know your time and get a feel for the
flow of your speech. Time and eye contact are very important elements of memorable presentations.
The speech must be 2-3 minutes, with 10 seconds forgiveness either side.

Speech Day Guidelines:

Wear clothing appropriate for your audience and occasion. You will be standing.
Turn in a typed outline (developed based on the sample provided).
Remember, you MUST have an audience of no less than 3 individuals for your speech. Show them at the
beginning and end of your speech and have one of them record you. No selfie-style recordings.
If using a visual aid, prepare it before the start of class
o If it is a digital file, have it saved in MULTIPLE locations (flash drive, e-mail, student drive) and make sure
the format is compatible with software in the classroom.

Jodie Bowers

Hero Speech

COM115

Hero Speech Outline Example

Introduction

(Attention getter Hook)

What is a hero? Well, I think this can be many different people to everyone. I dont believe there is a single
definition of what makes a good hero. Afterall, what is good to you is not necessarily going to be good to
me. When I think of the word hero someone very loving, dedicated, and having strong conviction comes
to my mind. There is no other person to me My hero is my grandpa Gene Erickson, born May 13th 1919 in
Michigan. He was one of three boys in his family. Grandpa was of Finnish heritage but grew up speaking
both English and Finnish. He married my grandma, Marian Beaudry, in his early twenties. With her they had
5 children over the span of 19 years, 2 boys and three girls, my mother being they youngest of all five. From
those five children he was blessed with 8 grandchildren, one boy and seven girls. I am the second youngest
grandchild, my sister is the youngest. Never go to bed angry, always tell the people you love that you love
them, and do not be afraid to speak your mind. These were words that my hero lived by and over the next
few minutes I am going to explain how and why each of those beliefs makes him my hero.
I.

Reason #1: The first reason my grandpa is my hero is because he always put his family first
a) Elaborate on reason: Whenever my Grandpas kids or grandkids needed him he was always there.

b) When I was a junior in high school I had to interview someone on videotape with an interesting story to tell.
i) The first person to pop into my mind for that assignment was my grandpa.
ii) I was not sure if he would want to do it or not, but when I asked he was quick to tell me that he would love
to, and the interview turned out great!
Transition between reasons (giving reason #2): Along with always putting his family first he was an extremely had
working and dedicated person.
II.

When my grandpa was in his late teens and early twenties he was a boxer.
a. He was one of the best boxers around, and it was not common for him to lose.
b. He was given the option to turn professional, but he knew he had a new family to support and turned down
this once in a lifetime opportunity.
c. He then went to work for the paper mill and working on his farm.
i. He was up every morning before 5 with my grandma working to keep their farm running, and then it
was off to the mill.
ii. and then he came back home at night to wrap things up on the farm.
d. There was never a time when he wasnt working on something.
e. He passed this work ethic onto my mom, and she onto me and my sister.
Transition between reasons (giving reason 3): Being a hard worker is a trait I am proud to have obtained from my
grandpa, but the most important trait is learning from him that it is okay to speak your mind, and share your ideas with
the world.
III.

My grandpa was never one to sit back and keep his mouth shut.
a. Many people may think that this was a bad thing; speaking your mind and pushing your ideas on others, but
he did not do that either.

Jodie Bowers

Hero Speech

COM115

b. When he spoke his mind he always did it in a respectful manner, and taught his children and grandchildren
to do the same.
c. It is one thing to tell people that they are wrong and you are right.
d. It is completely different to just make your opinions known. Showing people that you have an opinion and a
voice that matter.
e. Without learning this trait, I would not be where I am today. I would probably be sitting in the back of an
office somewhere keeping my mouth shut.
Conclusion (Wrap up the speech)
Restate thesis: I have many heroes but my grandpa gene Erickson tops the list because of the respect he
gives to his family, his hard working determination, and his motivation to let his opinions be known.

Wrap up: My grandpa passed away 6 years ago this summer, and there is not a day that goes by where I do
not miss him, but he is always with me. He taught me many things and I carry the lessons with me and rely
on them during good and bad times.

Thank your audience: Thank you.

Jodie Bowers

Hero Speech

COM115

Evaluation Rubric
Speaker:

Day/Section:
Date:

INTRODUCTION
Gained Attention
Introduced Topic Clearly
Previewed Body of Speech

/2.5

BODY
Organization/Main Points clear
Effective Transitions
Content Clearly/Equally Covered

/5

CONCLUSION
Summarized Speech
Strong Concluding Remarks

/2.5

DELIVERY
Eye Contact
Body Language
Vocal Projection/Variety

/5

OVERALL PRESENTATION
Appeared Prepared
Met Assignment Goals
Delivered within 1-2 minutes:

/5

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Outline Content
Outline Format

/5

TOTAL SCORE:

/25

Additional Comments:

Jodie Bowers

Great Job! You nailed it!

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