what is declamation speech

Declamation speech is a form of public speaking that requires a speaker to deliver an excerpt of a speech that was delivered in public in the past. The goal of a declamation speech is to convey a message with clarity, emotion, and persuasiveness. Declamation speeches are usually formal and include rhetorical language, demonstrative gestures, and forceful emphasis to get the speakers point across. The speeches are up to 10 minutes in length, and students typically shorten the text of the speech to meet time requirements. The event is not designed for students to mimic the original author of the speech. Instead, speakers are to develop an oration that delivers the message of the author in an original and engaging manner. Declamation speeches are used in dramatic oratory exercises and competitions, but theyre also a common way to get an audience to believe what you say. Examples of famous declamation speeches include Martin Luther King Jr.s "I Have a Dream" speech and Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address.