Effective Tribute Speech Writing Worksheet
Tribute Speech Worksheet
| Component | Outline & Feedback |
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| Attention Getter I was 7 years old walking into my first club soccer practice, nervous and not knowing what to expect. I remember looking around, not knowing anyone, just hoping I wouldn’t mess up. I had no idea that the coach I met that day would still be by my side 13 years later. | Is it effective? Why or why not? What could the speaker do to make it more effective and relevant?
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| Central Point From that one practice, my coach became one of the most important people in my life, shaping who I am today and helping me reach college soccer. | Does it clearly and concisely explain why the speaker has chosen this person? Is it one sentence? Thoughts for improvement? |
| Background My coach played soccer at American International College, where he was a successful player, and has coached for many years. He coached me in both club and high school soccer, which made our relationship even stronger. What made him different was that he cared about more than just winning. He knew when to push us, but also how to keep things fun—like bringing his husky to practice, which reminded us to enjoy the game and not just focus on pressure. He also focused on teaching us discipline, confidence, and accountability, not just on the field but in life. Over time, he became more than just a coach; he became someone I could rely on and trust no matter what. Now, he continues coaching in North Carolina, working with a competitive team. | Do you understand who the subject of the speech is? Do the accomplishments relate to the speaker’s influence? List generalities and brainstorm concrete, distinctive details.
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| Influence One of the biggest moments that showed his impact on my life was after my ACL surgeries. I remember my first practice back—I was finally excited to be there again after everything I had been through. But on the very first drill, everything went wrong. I hurt my knee again and couldn’t even bend it. At that moment, everything hit me at once. I felt frustrated, scared, and honestly… I thought it was over. All the work I had put in, the nine months I spent constantly in PT, everything I had been fighting to come back for—it felt like it was slipping away right in front of me. After my second knee surgery, things got even harder. I went through a period where I felt really down and didn’t want to do anything. I even started to think that maybe college soccer wasn’t for me anymore. But my coach never let me think that way. He knew that playing college soccer had been my dream since I was a little kid, and he refused to let me give up on it. He kept pushing me, reminding me of my goal, and believing in me even when I couldn’t believe in myself. My coach was right there. He stayed calm, made sure I was okay, and didn’t let me panic. He pulled me aside and reminded me how far I had already come. He told me that one bad moment didn’t define me or everything I had worked for. With my senior season only two months away, I didn’t know if I would be ready to play again. There were days I doubted myself and felt like giving up—but he never let me. He kept checking in on me, pushing me when I needed it, and reminding me of what I was capable of, even when I couldn’t see it myself. Because of him, I was able to come back and play my senior year. And not only did I come back—I earned Player of the Year and All-State recognition. That moment showed me that his belief in me didn’t just help me recover physically—it completely changed my mindset. He made me stronger, more confident, and more resilient. And that’s something I’ll carry with me, not just in soccer, but for the rest of my life. | Do you understand specifically how the subject influenced the speaker? How did the speaker grow?
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| Conclusion I truly would not be playing college soccer without him. But more importantly, he taught me something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life: that even in your hardest moments, when everything feels like it’s falling apart, you keep going… and you believe in yourself, even when it’s hard. | Is the influence summarized concisely? Is the close memorable and relevant?
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| Performance | Watch for eye contact, body language, voice, and time. Provide “glows” and “grows.”
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