Checklist on the Analysis of a Speech

Copyright, Stephen A. Smith, University of Arkansas. Used by permission

Name of Orator
Title of Speech
Occasion/Place Delivered
Date Speech Delivered

1. Brief Rhetorical Biography of the Speaker

   General biography and important life events

   • Life chronology
   • Family influences (class, occupation, values)
   • Public career and important experiences
   • Forces shaping values and ideology
   • Major sources of speaker's ethos

   Rhetorical biography

   • Education and rhetorical training
   • Nature and extent of public speaking experiences
   • Significance of oratory in the speaker's life and career
   • Methods of preparation and delivery
   • Characteristics of general rhetorical style

2. The Rhetorical Situation for the Speech

   The Exigence:

   • What issue led to the decision to speak?
   • What was the specific occasion for the rhetorical act?
   • Why was this an issue? (Bennett: structural, agenda, crisis)
   • What was the specific point of stasis? (fact, definition, value, policy)
   • What were the prevailing opinions or oppositional arguments on the issue?
   • Who were the prominent or implicit counteradvocates?
   • How could the issue be resolved or determined through rhetoric?

   The Audiences (Immediate and Secondary):

   • Were the audiences in a position to respond appropriately?
   • Were the audiences receptive to persuasion through argument?
   • What were the demographics of the audiences? (size, age, background, etc.)
   • What were audiences' level of knowledge, beliefs, interests,hopes, concerns?
   • What were values, needs, biases, goals, fears, motives of the audience?

   The Constraints:

   • What were the social, political, cultural, and ideological constraints?
   • Where was the locus of power and who held control?
   • What were the situational or institutional constraints?
   • What constraints were created by the audience?
   • What were the consequences of violating the "rules"?
   • Did the more important constraints come from the audience or the situation?
   • Did constraints limit rhetorical choice in language, style, data, arguments?
   • Did the speaker have any special constraints on or opportunities for persuasion?

3. The Text of the Speech
   • What was the source of the text for analysis? Authencity and accuracy?
   • Did the speaker use notes of full text?
   • When and how was the text created?
   • Where is the original text? Where are copies available for researchers?
4. Description, Analysis, and Evaluation of the Arguments
   • What was the speaker's specific purpose?
   • What were the main claims advanced ? (facts, definitions, policies, values)
   • What data were used as evidence for the arguments? (statistics,
   • testimony, examples)
   • Were the data honest, sound, ethical, believable, relevant, accepted?
   • What types of warrants were used? (substantive, authoritative, motivational)
   • What were the explicit and implicit values in the message? (Fisher)
   • What were the explicit and implicit assumptions about the distribution of power?
   • Were the arguments complete? (Toulmin analysis)
   • What were the counterarguments and how were they refuted?
   • Were the arguments ethical, sound, and effective with the specific audiences?
   • Did the arguments fit the "universal audience" standard? (Pereln)
   • Were the arguments wise? Were the ideas important?
   • Does the speech have lasting value?
   • Why did the arguments persuade or fail to persuade?
5. Organization, Style, and Delivery

   Organization:

   • Does the introduction construct the reality and frame the question effectively?
   • Is the purpose made clear?
   • How does the structure of the arguments contribute to persuasion?
   • How does the order of the arguments fit the situation and audience?
   • How do the counterarguments shape the organization?
   • How does the speaker manage purpose, evidence, and ideas?

   Style:

   • How is language used to reflect and influence thought?
   • Does the language give clues about the speaker's views of self and opposition?
   • How do the situation and culture influence choice of language?
   • Did the language give life to the ideas and arguments? (Give examples & quotes)
   • Does the speaker use loaded words, jargon, confusing language?

   Delivery:

   • Was the speech impromptu, extemporaneous, or prepared?
   • Were the volume and tenor appropriate for the topic and the audience?
   • What did observers say about the quality or effect of the delivery?

6. Historical and Rhetorical Value
   • Why was the speech considered important?
   • Why does the speech remain important and valuable for the study of persuasion?
   • What can we learn about effective rhetoric from the examples of this speech?
   • Does the speech still provide understanding of events, ideas, issues, values, power?
7. Bibliography
   • General biographical sources on the rhetor.
   • Books and journal articles analyzing the rhetoric of the speaker or the speech.
   • Sources for collections of documents or important speech texts.
   • Text of the speech

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