November 3, 2009
American Rhetoric
The American Rhetoric website is a perfect source for a student researching a specific historical speech, or for an orator looking for a speech to present during a competitive performance.
Holding more than 5000 speeches, this resource provides access to all types of documented formal speech including: public and legal oratories, lectures, debates, interviews and various high-profile media events. (for example, Academy Award Speeches).
The speech bank is arranged alphabetically by speaker and contemporary speeches include an audio mp3 of the address, as well as the text in both PDF and Flash formats. Youtube links are often included too.
The top 100 American Political speeches are available and a section for scholars defines rhetorical terms and devices and also lists academic journals and associations.
A few of the notables included in this speech bank are: Malcolm X, Mark Twain, Sarah Palin, Oprah, The Scopes monkey trial, etc.