I understand that your topic is secularism, but the assignment is really about oration. I think you do yourself s disservice if you don't explore history's great orators. It's about the use of language and the structure of rhetorical argument in addition to topical expertise.
Demosthenes, Cicero, Washington, Lincoln, Douglas (Fred not Steve), Theodore Roosevelt, Churchill, Kennedy, King, Reagan (regardless of politics, the man could flat out give a speech). There are plenty of others, just a few that immediately came to mind.
I do not consider Dawkins to be a very good orator and seem to recall him being self deprecating on this point. If I had to recommend secular orators I would give Robert Ingersoll and Christopher Hitchens.
Writing your speech is one thing, but I can't emphasize enough the importance of practice in front of a mirror. Monitor your emotive delivery. Practice also for time. You should also expect to deliver your actual speech a bit faster. Once you think you have it, deliver it to someone you trust to provide an honest critique.
I can't emphasize enough that this is less about content than it is your use of language, delivery and persuasiveness. Good luck.
Demosthenes, Cicero, Washington, Lincoln, Douglas (Fred not Steve), Theodore Roosevelt, Churchill, Kennedy, King, Reagan (regardless of politics, the man could flat out give a speech). There are plenty of others, just a few that immediately came to mind.
I do not consider Dawkins to be a very good orator and seem to recall him being self deprecating on this point. If I had to recommend secular orators I would give Robert Ingersoll and Christopher Hitchens.
Writing your speech is one thing, but I can't emphasize enough the importance of practice in front of a mirror. Monitor your emotive delivery. Practice also for time. You should also expect to deliver your actual speech a bit faster. Once you think you have it, deliver it to someone you trust to provide an honest critique.
I can't emphasize enough that this is less about content than it is your use of language, delivery and persuasiveness. Good luck.
