Sample Speeches - Retiring Politician
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen Today I am not looking for votes. I am, instead, giving a vote of thanks. I am thanking my colleagues, my staff, my family and indeed my friends for all they have done for me in my political career. Any thing I achieved I achieved because of their hard work, their support and their understanding. The things I did not achieve were, of course, entirely due to the vagaries of politics! There is a saying that says, "Uneasy is the head that wears the crown". I do not know about that but I have to say that being a politician is not easy either. Your voters may prefer the party you represent. They themselves, though, split up into a thousand different groups with varying interests and varying opinions. I might add that they are very vocal about such opinions and they expect their representative to be equally vocal on their behalf. That, of course, is the true meaning of democracy and we are very lucky to live in a country where we can express our beliefs openly. As a politician, I have spent much time meeting representatives of other countries who are not as liberal as our own. There is all the difference in the world between strangled with red tape and actually being strangled or tortured. I have tried in my career to cut through that red tape on behalf of groups with whom I have shared beliefs. I have also tried, and this is much more difficult, to see to it that those whose beliefs are different to my own get a fair hearing. I am very glad to see here today those who, though they do not always share my opinion, do share my opinion of true democracy. Being a politician involves long hours of travel, longer hours of work and often a complete invasion of privacy. Today I must pay tribute to my wife and family who have always been supportive although there were times they must have cursed the democratic system. In fact, let us be honest, about it there were times when they did curse the democratic system and me too! For some unknown reason it seems that there is always an important political meeting on birthdays, school sports days and wedding anniversaries! Nonetheless, they too gained, as I did, from an exposure to different ideas, different cultures and different people. They gained from learning that there were others who had less than they did and others who demanded much of us all. I am speaking in particular for the homeless because, as you all know, their cause has been the one nearest to my heart. I consider that in a civilized society the fact that people remain homeless is a cause for deep shame. I thank you for your kindness, your consideration and today I have to thank you too for your wonderful gift. It will be a constant reminder to me that my time in office achieved one thing. That is that I made many, many good friends. Politics is my past. My interest is in the future. After all, as the old saying goes I am going to spend the rest of my life there.
SAMPLE DEBATE SPEECH
Animal Rights Speech Ladies and Gentlemen, Living youth of our generation, I ask a simple question. How can we stand and watch millions of innocent beautiful creatures of God be killed on a daily basis? Where is our humanity? How can we defend the murder of living beings? If we can defend such a horrific act, then why are we so angered when another human being kills a human being? Is this not the same thing? Carnivores state that man needs meat in order to survive. However, humans forget the founding fathers of society in the United States (the Native Americans) survived without meat. Many Native American tribes survived without eating meat, but instead depended upon the fruits of the land for not only their nutrition but also for their personal needs (i.e. hygiene products, home décor, etc.) Even the tribes that did hunt animals such as buffalo would utilize the entire animal for many things. One buffalo could provide food and nourishment for an entire family from two weeks to a month. The buffalo’s bones could serve as housing decorations, jewelry, and materials for building tepees. The buffalo skin was for making leather for weapons, tools, and coats. The modern world does not make such great use of one single animal but instead lacks the common knowledge to utilize something in all aspects. The most terrifying aspect of modern animal breeding is that animals are breed for a sole purpose. Society is breeding animals for food, leather making, and reproduction. Animals are now bred for leather coats, romp roast, and to breed more animals. Some breeders use harmful chemicals such as pesticides in the foods they give their animals, supposedly to prevent diseases. However, science has proven the opposite. The forceful breeding of animals has also allowed rare animal diseases to spread at a higher rate. Finally, the sole use of one animal for a sole purpose limits the amount of animals available to live. This thus damages the food chain cycle nature intended. I say free all animals from their impending death at the hand of the slaughterer. Instead, give them the opportunity to live. After all, we have the same privilege.
RWS II FINAL EXAM: Semester I Speeches Guideline Sheet: 1. Speech must be in a debate style where the student takes a position (for or against) the topic of their choice. 2. Recall that to debate properly one must acknowledge both sides of the argument and make references to the opposing side when needed. 3. The debate style speech must not exceed three minutes. 4. Students will be graded on: a. Speech write-up b. Speech oral presentation c. Note cards 5. Speeches must type the write-up portion of their speech 6. Note cards maybe hand written 7. Oral presentations should be thorough and timely
Oral Presentation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. No shorter then 2 minutes, no longer than 3 minutes Presenter should speak loudly and clearly Eye contact required with audience Posture is appropriate Student remains focused not fidgety
Write Up: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Typed, double-spaced with 1 inch margins required, 12 pt. font Two pages minimum, three pages maximum Clear chronological format followed in five paragraph essay form Sticks to the topic at hand Proper grammar and spelling
Note Cards: 1. 2. 3. 4. Clearly written/typed Follow the speech chronologically Front side used only Numbered THIS PAPER/SPEECH IS YOUR FINAL! IT IS WORTH 250 PTS! Project Component Oral Presentation Write-up Note Cards Possible Points 100 100 50