Declamation Speech

Declamation Speech
A declamation speech is the term used to describe the re-giving of an important or famous
speech. It could be a political, graduation or commencement speech, a eulogy, or a sermon. The speaker
re-interprets the original, reproducing its power afresh.
Often this exercise will be set as part of studying public speaking skills. The purpose is to have the
student directly experience the power of masterfully crafted language. Through their interpretation the
techniques and skills of the original orator are learned.
Declamation Definition
The action or art of declaiming; the repeating or uttering of a speech, etc. with studied intonation and
gesture.
1. A public speech or address of rhetorical character; a set speech in rhetorical elocution.

2. Declaiming or speaking in an impassioned oratorical manner; fervid denunciation with appeals to
the audience.
3. A speech of a rhetorical kind expressing strong feeling and addressed to the passions of the
hearers; a declamatory speech, a harangue.
4. Renunciation, repudiation, disclaimer.
Declamation speech origins
This method of teaching was used in ancient Greece where public speaking was considered a
necessary art for anybody embarking on a career in public service. A declamation was a practice piece set
by a teacher for exactly the same reason they are set now: to have a student learn the skills of combining
eloquent language with equally eloquent delivery.
Choosing a declamation speech
The speech you choose is critical. Firstly, you must like it. There's no good to be gained from
choosing something because you think it will please or impress your teacher and likewise, judges. You're
going to work on this piece to make it your own. Therefore it needs to genuinely reflect you in theme
and message.
And secondly it needs a combination of the qualities listed in the following areas:-
 Style of language: Elevated, inspirational, elegant, poetic, masterful - the speech should be an
example of 'beautiful' language and construction.
 Structure: Look for unity of purpose. The piece needs to be structurally coherent - have a
beginning, development and close. It is not a loose ramble or collection of impressions without
form.
 Theme: The message or theme running through it should be worthy of its oratorical treatment, ie.
the style of language specified above. It must be important and applicable beyond the time it was
first delivered.
 Impact: The speech must have reached and grabbed the hearts and minds of its listeners. It will
have persuasively challenged and changed the way people thought and acted, uniting and
inspiring them toward a common goal or course of action.
If you're choosing for a competition before you make your choice be sure to review the guidelines and do
take note of the allocated time. Be prepared to cut your selection to fit.
Understanding your piece
- Understanding is your top priority

If you learn or memorize the text without understanding it your delivery will be empty - an ultimate
talking head presentation.
- Find out about context

What was the occasion the speech was written for? Who was the audience? What did they need or expect
from the speech?
- Find out about the original speech maker

Who was he or she? What delivery characteristics did they use? What passions drove them? What did
they want from the speech? (Its purpose or goal.)
- What does this speech mean to you?

Can you put what is being said into your own words? The more you dig into the meaning of the
piece, emotionally and intellectually, the more able you'll be to convey it convincingly.
- Print the speech out in a clear font, double spaced.
You will use the gaps to write yourself notes and mark it up for delivery. For example, putting in
the pauses, or breath points, the places to soften your voice, increase the volume or for
movement.
- If you can, listen to original speech while reading your copy.
Note how the voice is being used. What qualities are you hearing? Do they change for different
portions of the speech? Can you hear a beat or rhythm? Listen until you can clearly identify
changes in tone, pitch, and pace.
And now practice.
 The goal of delivering a declamation speech well

 The goal is not to impersonate the original speech maker.
Rehearsing your speech
There are full guidelines here on how to rehearse here as well as tips for vocal variety, using pace
and pause effectively as well as diction exercises to clear up any sloppy pronunciation issues.
www.declamation-speech.html
LESSON 3 EARLY ROMAN LITERATURE
Major Writers of Rome
The literature of Rome holds a secondary position in the classical literature of antiquity, probably
because of the Roman was less a thinker and creator and more a doer than the Greek. The early
Romans made little progress in literary composition until they conquered and enslaved the Greeks.
When this historical events happened, the Romans were so impressed by the artistic attainments of the
Greeks that they set about imitating Greek literature, resulting in the unique situation of “the conquered
becoming the conquerors and the conqueror becoming the conquered.” Roman children were taught by
the Greek teachers.
Roman literature was greatly imitative of Greek models. Greek literature was translated into Latin,
and it provided the models that the Roman youths studied an learned by heart. There is a predominance
of satire in Roman literature. The satire is a literary type is supposed to have been invented by the
Romans. The purpose of satire is to attack the evils in society. It flourished in the Rome when social
conditions were poor and Roman morals were low.
1. Virgil (70-19 B.C.)
Virgil was the greatest writer that Rome produced. What Homer was to Greeks, Virgil was to the
Romans. He was born in 70 B.C. in Mantua, one of the loveliest country sides in Italy. His childhood was
spent among the fields and woods, springs, and pools. This close familiarity with, and love of nature, is
clearly evident in his works. For the grater part of his life, he stayed away from Rome, which was at that
time becoming corrupt an dissolute. All sorts of degenerate crime were being committed, and the fabric
of society was falling apart as a result of rampant immorality.
Virgil had an excellent education in Philosophy, and a love for this discipline remained with him all
his life. He learned of the great laws of art; that its greatness is in direct proportion to the worth of its
philosophy and theology. His works are therefore an ideal combination of content and form. He had the
philosophic yearning to know the causes of things, and his mastery of his medium, the Latin language,
allowed him to develop a style that was powerful and sweet. By ,means of this language, he was able to
communicate the glory abs splendor of things.
2.

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Declamation Speech

1. A public speech or address of rhetorical character; a set speech in rhetorical elocution.

Declamation speech origins

Choosing a declamation speech

Understanding your piece

- Understanding is your top priority

- Find out about context

- Find out about the original speech maker

- What does this speech mean to you?

 The goal of delivering a declamation speech well

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