Language Arts
Grades 8 Speech Unit

Name: ______________________  Homeroom:  _______

For this assignment, you are required to research a topic and write an essay. This essay will then be presented as a SPEECH.

Remember, an essay is written about a single subject.  The essay is written in a specific way, according to how the writer thinks about and approaches the topic.

The speech must last a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes.  

NOTE: marks are deducted for not abiding by these regulations. 

Your finished project must have:

• A cover page

• Work from all stages of the writing process

• A final draft

• Editing Sheets

Steps for Writing your Speech

Rough Draft — Introductory Paragraph

•	Step 1: Begin with a sentence(s) that catches the audience’s attention.  This should not be the thesis statement.

•	Step 2: The thesis statement goes next but give it in one sentence only. Do not explain it at this point; you’ll do that later in the essay.

•	Step 3: Next, state each of your 3 ideas in one sentence each, joined by transitions.

•	Step 4: Conclude the introductory paragraph by restating the thesis.  Don’t use “In conclusion”.

Write each Body Paragraph (pars. 2, 3, and 4) as follows:

•	Step 1: Topic Sentence — state your idea 

•	Step 2: Explain

•	Step 3: Give your supports, connecting back to your thesis on a regular basis

•	Step 4: End each body paragraph by returning to your thesis (e.g., Therefore, testing on animals must be banned!)

•	Use transition words, phrases and/or sentences to connect your ideas so that there is smooth flow

•	DON’T FORGET: Voice (created through word choice and varied punctuation) = Audience Appeal

Writing the Concluding Paragraph:

•	Step 1: Begin with a transition that gives a feeling of closure (e.g.) In conclusion. Then restate your thesis.

•	Step 2: Next, restate each idea in the order in which you developed them earlier. Don’t forget to include the CALL TO ACTION.

•	Step 3: Restate your thesis one last time ensuring that you leave the reader / listener with a strong sense of your position on the subject.	

NOTE: This pattern is repetitive but it will create UNITY, COHERENCY & EMPHASIS.  You add your own creativity and style with VOICE, WORD CHOICE —> AUDIENCE APPEAL.

Supporting your Arguments

SUPPORTS for each idea must include a VARIETY (if possible) of the following:

•	A specific example (e.g., from your own life)

•	Anecdote — a story/example which brings out your reason

•	Statistic — this must come from a reliable source

•	An appeal to authority — a direct (or indirect) quote from someone “in the know” of this topic (an expert)       ** Include person’s name and title

•	Logic — for example, if a source says, “smoking causes cancer” then if you smoke, you could get cancer too

Choosing a Topic

Begin research by Internet, book, encyclopedia, magazine, newspaper, interview or discussion with someone else.  Use this experience as a means to decide which topic will be your best choice for finding three arguments with supporting research. 

The possible topics I have chosen:

Choice 1: _____________________________________________________________________                                                              

My 3 arguments would be:

1.____________________________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________________________________

Choice 2: _____________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                         
My 3 arguments would be:

1.	________________________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________________________

Choice 3: _____________________________________________________________________  

My 3 arguments would be:

1.________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                           

Jot-Notes (Pre-writing)

*** DON’T FORGET that for each ‘SOURCE’ 
you take jot notes from, you must fill out a SOURCE CARD.***

Introduction

Introductory Paragraph:  Possible ideas (e.g., interesting quotes, statistics, etc.) that I could use in my introductory paragraph to grab the audience’s attention:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THESIS Statement: ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Body Paragraphs

Argument #1:  
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Research evidence/ supports for Argument #1: ___________________________________________________________________

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Argument #2: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Research evidence/ supports for argument #2: ___________________________________________________________________
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Argument #3:   
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Research evidence/ supports for argument #3: ___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Conclusion

Concluding Paragraph: Possible ideas that I could use in my concluding paragraph to give a sense of closure and to leave the reader with a strong sense of my position on the topic.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Self-Editing Checklist 

I need to check to make sure:

•	I have a clear thesis statement.
•	I have three well-researched, well-presented arguments that support my thesis statement. 
•	I have a concluding paragraph and an effective call to action.  
•	My speech is 5-paragraphs in total.
•	I do not have any spelling mistakes.
•	I have varied and effective word choice. 
•	I have varied sentences.
•	I have checked my capitalizations and punctuation.			

•	SIGNED: ________________________

Peer Editing Checklist 

Name:    _____________________

Peer Editor’s Signature:     ____________________

CONTENT:

•	Does the speech include all 3 arguments and have they given enough explanations and supports (facts, statistics)? 

•	Is the speech at least 3 minutes but not over 5 minutes?  

ORGANIZATION:

•	Does the introduction grab the audience’s attention and does it include the thesis statement?

•	Does the conclusion give the thesis again, summarize, and end with a clear show of their position on the topic including a call to action?

•	Did they use transitions consistently? 

SENTENCE FLUENCY:

•	Are there a variety of sentence lengths? 

•	Check for run on sentences, comma faults, and sentence fragments. 

WORD CHOICE:

•	Circle repeated words. 

•	Check word choice to see that they have used enough vivid words where possible.
e.g.:     These animal tests are bad. (Bland)
       		  These cruel animal tests are horrifying. (Better)

VOICE:

•	Adding a variety of punctuation marks will increase voice.  Check to see that there is a variety of punctuation marks.

CONVENTIONS:

•	Check all capitalization:

- the first word in every sentence.

- proper names, organizations, cities, provinces, countries, etc.

- the word “I”.

•	Check all spelling and circle any words that you think are misspelled. 

•	Check punctuation:

o	There needs to be a punctuation mark at the end of each sentence.

o	Apostrophes need to be used correctly (to show a missing letter: don’t/do not OR to show ownership: the   smoker’s problem).

o	There needs to be a variety of punctuation marks (ex. exclamation marks, quotes, question marks, etc.).

Dear Parent/Caregiver,

Please read through your son/daughters’ process piece prior to the due date. Any suggestions or positive feedback you can offer your child is greatly appreciated. Kindly sign below to confirm you have seen this important piece of evaluation.

Student’s Name:                                                                                      

Parent/Caregiver’s Name:                                                                       

Thank you,
Language Arts Department

Final Copy Checklist

1. Cover page

2. Jot-note sheets 

3. Rough drafts 1 and 2 (includes source cards)

4. Revise/edit checklist 

5. Final draft

                                                                                                                                  

  

Sample Cover Page:

                                          Persuasive Essay/Speech

                                                          (Topic)

                                                                Submitted to:                                   
                                                                Submitted by:                                 
                                                                Due date: