Public Speaking assignment 6

Informative Speech

It’s time to take what you've learned from all of your prior
presentations and add an element of research to create your
Informative Speech. You have to be cautious when choosing an
Informative topic, as it’s easy to think an Informative Speech and a
Persuasive Speech as the same thing. However, this is a fantastic
opportunity to set the stage for your final Persuasive Speech.

You may want to approach this assignment as a way to inform your
audience about the facts, stats and history of the topic you plan to
argue in your final speech.

For example, let’s say you were going to take a side in the music
piracy debate. Regardless of where you stand on the topic, this is an
opportunity to present the history and the data behind this debate –
but you must do some objectively and without passing judgment. Save
that for the persuasive speech!

An Informative Speech JUST provides information. The most basic
informative speech is the kind that teaches us (much in the way the
Demonstration Speech taught us) something detailed about a topic with
which we are already familiar. For instance, we know George Washington
was our first President, but a lot of people don't know much about his
life prior to the military or serving in office. That would make for
an interesting Informative Speech.

Feel free to do this speech on something much more recent or in the
news. With an informative Speech, you’ll want to establish credibility
by referencing and citing your materials. "In the July 13, 2007
edition of the New York Times, John Smith said that George Washington
suffered from depression as a young boy." It is critical that you
continue to discuss where you found your information or else the
audience thinks you've pulled all of the information out of thin air.

Here are your parameters for the Informative Speeches:

Your speech should be 8-10 minutes in length. Watch your time! This is
going to take a lot of preparation on your part. Feel free to not only
inform us but show us. This is not mandatory, but it makes for a
better presentation, overall. "A" speeches will have this element.
Cite a minimum of four different sources for your materials. You may
use Wikipedia as ONE source - but not all four. Wikipedia loses
credibility with most people, so always be cautious how much you use
it. Be sure to have a good introduction, a body that elaborates and a
conclusion that appropriately wraps everything up. As always, you may
draft your speech word for word, but be very careful not to simply
read from your paper! We want eye contact and emotion! Good luck with
this assignment and have fun!

Please submit your peer evaluations to class by due date.

Grading Rubric Points Verbal Skills Enthusiasm (Demonstrates a strong,
positive feeling about topic during entire presentation) 10 Elocution
(Uses a clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms so
that all audience members can hear presentation) 15 Non-Verbal Skills
Eye Contact (Holds attention of entire audience with the use of direct
eye contact) 10 Body Language (Movements seems fluid and help the
audience visualize) 10 Poise (Displays relaxed, self-confident nature
about self) 10 Content Subject Knowledge (Demonstrates full knowledge
of speech and clearly displays rehearsal) 20 Organization (Speech
introduced, stayed within time constraints) 15 Mechanics (Proper
lighting, suitable camera positioning, proper attire) 10 Total 100