Outline for Ceremonial Speech
Title: The Death of a Leader and Loved One Speaker: Timothy Harden Specific Purpose: To commemorate the life of a recently deceased dictator. Thesis Statement: Although hated and feared by nearly the entire population of the world for the duration of his professional political career, Saddam Hussein deserves an objective, respectful reflection on the life he lived and the legacy he left. Introduction I. Attention Hook: The dedication with which Saddam Hussein lived his life is personified by the story when he daringly fought to protect the integrity of both his state and his daughters by swiftly executing his two son in laws after catching wind that they were conspiring against those two things he loved most—family and stately power. II. Ethos: As many of you may well know, I am Abid Hamid Mahmud, Saddam’s personal secretary and dear friend. III. Thematic Statement and Preview: Saddam’s untimely, although not surprising, death was the dramatic ending of a person whose great impact on the lives which he commanded was surpassed only by his impact on the lives of his beloved family (Transition—Now let us forget our grief for a moment and remember the life Saddam led that made him the dominant man that he was…) Body I. Main Idea #1: Saddam showed a vigorous commitment to his political career throughout his life. A. Saddam loved his profession with a deep dedication that surpassed nearly all other priorities in his life. He did not let details such as humanitarianism and diversity get in the way of his passion for ruling with an iron fist. Saddam’s strength of character was especially evident at the beginning of his leadership of the Iraqi people, when he took advantage of opportunity and seized power from his opposition, maintaining it definitively. During his twenty four year tenure, he was a compassionate man who stood unwavering for the ideals he believed in—(a) restoring Iraq to its’ ancient glory, and, of coarse, (b) maintaining unyielding power.
B.
(Transition—as strong and committed a leader as Saddam was, he cared about his family most of all.) II. Main Idea #2: Saddam went to unbelievable lengths to show the love for his family. A. He was a caring husband to his sweet cousin Sajid Talfah for over forty years. Staying together through the end, even after she was banished from the country Saddam Hussein was a proud father of his sons: i. Uday and ii. Qusay And his three daughters: iii. Raghad iv. Rana v. And young Hala As they have profusely attested, he was a loving, compassionate and protective father towards his daughters, and shielding them from the cruel world. One of the most emotional times of his life was the ambivalence felt fighting side by side with Uday and Qusay as they perished against invading forces—so proud of how his sons had followed in his footsteps so obediently, but simultaneously sorrowful to have to live through their deaths.
B.
(Summary—Saddam’s family fulfilled his life, as he did theirs.) Conclusion I.
II. III.
Summary: The new minister of Iraq will have enormous shoes to fill in the wake of the unprecedented legacy that has been laid down during the course of Saddam Hussein’s lifetime. Review: Saddam was a person who distinguished himself on both fronts he chose to dedicate himself to: family and state. Concluding Thought: It’s a terrible shame when a man that means so much to so many people is not allowed to live out his natural life, Saddam you have made an impact on our world that will be lasting.
Works Cited "Wikipedia." 1/28 2007. .