Sample Speech: Randy Pausch, Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

1. Watch Randy Pausch’s speech, Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams : http://www.cmu.edu/randyslecture/

2. Analyze his speech:

a. Outline his speech (use an outline not an essay).

b. Compare/contrast the outline of Professor Pausch’s speech to the Speech Formula you used to write the speech in this chapter. Did Dr. Pausch follow the Speech Formula? What was the same? What was different?

c. In your opinion what were the best moments of his speech? What were the weakest moments? Why?

d. Consultation: Suppose you had the opportunity to consult with him prior to delivering his speech again to an even larger crowd, what advice would you offer him? What should he do the same? What should he do differently?

References

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Brownell, J. (2015). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills. Boston, Mass: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

Cortright, S. (2001, January 1). Ten secrets of good listeners. Retrieved December 13, 2014, from http://www.christian-mommies.com/special-features/just-for-moms/ten-secrets-of-good-listeners/

Hitch - a part of movie 2 [Video file]. (2005) Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n6ehVRzA-s

Llopis, V. M. (2015). The effect of an online speech preparation tool on public speaking associated anxiety: A pilot study. Unpublished manuscript.

O’Toole, G. (n.d.). When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Retrieved December 13, 2014, from http://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/06/13/listen/#return-note-9121-1

Pearson, J. C., DeWitt, L., Child, J. T., Kahl, D. H., & Dandamudi, V. (2007). Facing the Fear: An Analysis of Speech-Anxiety Content in Public-Speaking Textbooks. Communication Research Reports, 24(2), 159-168. doi:10.1080/08824090701304923

Pearson, J, Nelson, P., Titsworth, S, Harter, L. (2017). Human communication, sixth edition. Boston, Mass: McGraw-Hill

Piombino, K. (2013, December 30). Listening facts you never knew. Retrieved December 14, 2014, from http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/Listening_facts_you_never_knew_14645.aspx

Robbins, H. (1992). How to speak and listen effectively. New York, NY: American Management Association.

Steil, L. K., Summerfield, J., & De, M. G. (1985). Listening—it can change your life: A handbook for scientists and engineers. New York: McGraw-Hill