Describing an outstanding person

A guide for speaking and writingDeveloped by Alina Dashkevich

The rhetorical structure

What to include in each paragraph?

Introduction Body Conclusion

Introduction: how to start?

Do NOT state the name of the person you are going to write about from the very beginning. • Instead, build suspense. Start by mentioning one of the

most well-known achievements of this person and pose a question to the audience/reader (The person who has given the world the most emotionally-charged characters such as Ron, Hermione and Harry, needs no introduction./ I will talk about a person who has turned the world of education on its head./Who doesn’t know and love a talking duck named Donald, an adventurous mouse, and the man behind these characters?). You can also start with a famous quote by this person.

Body: what to include?

Reasons for choosing this person

• (What is so remarkable about them? What makes the different?)

What do you expect your audience to know/feel/understand after your speech? • ( I hope you will learn a few things about Steve

Jobs/Oprah that you didn’t know before./ I hope you will see why I feel that this person is one of the most outstanding singers of all time.)

What else to include?

Background information, biography

• The story of success, trials and tribulations that this person had to overcome on their way

Characterize their art/work

• What is so special about their talent? What do they do? What makes their work stand out among the rest? Do they have a particular peculiar style?

What and who are their greatest influences / sources of inspiration?

And some more …

Throw in some funny or peculiar tidbits and trivia facts about them

• (And were you aware that she has at least thirteen tattoos/ likes pickled onions?)

How did they influence the society?

What is the scope of their influence?

Conclusion

Refer back to the speech and wrap it up:

• what do you want your audience to remember? What is the take-home message of your speech? How do you want your audience to feel about the person you have chosen?

Look to the future: • mention some future plans of that person.

You can also:

End with a meaningful quotation by that person.

End with a question.

End with a reference to a meaningful event from that person’s life and the

lesson we can all learn from it.

Images source: http://blogs.msdn.com/

I hope you will learn a few things about…

I am sure this artist needs no introduction.

To say that this artist has changed the

world of music/paining/cinema

is to say nothing.

To say that this is a great artist is a gross

understatement.

Maybe you are wondering why I have

chose this person.

Well, I am sure you are all familiar with…

Introduction

And were you aware

that… ?

Did you know … ?

I am sure you will

agree that…

Perhaps you are aware

that…

You might not know

that…

You won’t be surprised to

hear…

That brings us to …

Body

Let me just finish by saying…

There is so much more I could tell you, but…

In a nutshell, it is easy to see why ____ is

considered to be one of the most outstanding

singers/dancers/leaders.

I want to leave you with a thought that…

Conclusion

Words and expressions

• Like a lot of great innovators, s/he didn’t set out to change the world.

• S/he has turned the world of education on its head.

• To show terrific promise• S/he is a true education pioneer.• S/he started by creating cartoon characters,

but her/his impact on _______ might truly be incalculable.

Words and expressions

• S/he presides over her/his company/network• What I love about him/her is that _____• S/he has not bought into the Hollywood

myth. • Few singers/actors/writer have gotten

attention/respect/admiration of the same magnitude.

Words and expressions

• S/he has used her/his extraordinary talent to ….

• His/her talents were put to use to …• S/he worked tirelessly to …• Her/his _____ has earned him a world-

wide renown and respect. • Genuine ambition • S/he is one of the world’s most admired

and respected people.

Words and expressions

• S/he has handed down plenty of lessons over the years.

• S/he reminds us that life is not only about the value you see. It’s about the values you stand for.

• Her/his life tells a story of a personal and professional excellence.

• S/he is a soul-stirring singer/writer/etc.• S/he affords me great hope for the future.

Describing a famous person

• In groups of two or three quickly read a short description of one of the TIME 100 People of the year 2012 and 2011.

• Share your description with other teams.

*(See TIME 100 http://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/all/)

Note: Draw attention to the words and expressions used to describe the person and to engage the audience

Create a speech outline

• http://www.biography.com/people/steve-jobs-9354805/videos

Watch the following video and create a catching introduction and a well-rounded conclusion. For the body, write only a short outline.

For each part of your speech indicate the phrases that you can use to make your speech cohesive and to keep the attention of your audience.

Try it outIn groups of three prepare a presentation on one of the two topics. Use the language and techniques to engage your audience and to make the speech cohesive.

Topic 1:

•A successful music star•The importance of musical talent•The importance of other issues like fashion, personality, private life and work for good causes

Topic 2:

•A person who has inspired you•The importance of luck in her/his story•What other people can learn from this story.

• Developed by Alina Dashkevich