Speech: Time's Person of the Year

Dates of Presentation: 

Length: a minimum of 5 to 6 minutes

 

Preparation:

1. Choose a person from the list below. Only one student per Person of the Year listed. You might want go to www.time.com/time/specials/2008/personoftheyear to see the magazine cover and read the articles done the year that person was chosen, or just do a Google search on the person you are interested in.

2. Find as much information as possible about your particular person, using the Internet, encyclopedias, or books from the library.  Jot down notes, including the sources of your information—include page numbers, author, title, webpage title, website address, etc.

3. What to look for in your search:

·       What contributions to or affect on the United States or world has this person made?

·       What activities, situations, or circumstances made this person famous?

·       How might the world be different if this person had never been born?

·       When and where did this person live?

·       Is this person a good role model? Why or why not?

·       Is this person ethical or responsible or honorable? Why or why not?

·       Why might this person and his/her accomplishments be studied by future generations?

·       What lessons can be learned by this person’s accomplishments?

·       Why did Time magazine choose this person as “Person of the Year”? Was there any controversy over the choice? Do you agree or disagree with the choice? Why or why not?

Presentation:  Be familiar enough with your information that you do not have to read from your note cards.

 

Audiovisual Aid:   Prepare a poster to supplement your speech. Your poster may contain pictures, lists of accomplishments or activities, and other vital information that will help your audience follow the speech. Make sure whatever is on your poster is large enough to be clearly read/seen at least 20 feet away.

Time’s Persons of the Year