Advocacy Speech

Advocacy Speech Purpose of Assignment:

This is the course culminating assignment. Students will demonstrate how to apply skills and knowledge they have acquired during the semester as they persuade an audience to support the efforts of an advocacy group.

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO1: Identify and assess socially significant and intellectual topics, then compose and deliver extemporaneous oral presentations (using note cards or key-word outlines) on those topics.

CLO2: Engage in critical and analytical listening.

CLO3: Analyze audiences, adapt oral presentations to diverse audiences and use that information to accomplish the purpose of the speech.

CLO4: Assume the ethical responsibilities of the public speaker, including basic understanding of the economic, legal and social issues surrounding the access and use of information.

CLO5: Students will be able to (1) engage in substantive discussions about diversity and (2) develop written communication skills.

This assignment will demonstrate the students mastery of the Course Learning Objectives as they successfully complete these elements of the assignment:

1. The topic will allow the student to demonstrate effective critical thinking skills as they select an organization that engages in work related to issues of social justice. [CLO1,4 & 5]

2. Speech Construction & Delivery: 1. The use of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (MMS); will

demonstrate the students ability to engage in socially significant topics related to social justice. MMS will also help the student

demonstrate how they have craft their speech with a specific audience in mind. MMS requires the student to assess information as they construct augments that are logically sound. [CLO1,3,4 & 5]

2. Speech Outline: Demonstrates the students ability to organize the information in an interesting and compelling manner in order to motivate an audience to engage causes related to social justice. [CLO1 & 4]

3. Sources: Effective use of source material will demonstrate the students ability to research and select material that will most effectively support their positions in an equitable manner. [CLO4]

3. Speech Construction: The Written Portion of the assignment demonstrates the students ability to construct arguments based on sound logic, the ability to select the best supporting information, and demonstrate effective written communication skills. [CLO1,4 & 5]

4. Speech Delivery: Provides the students opportunities to demonstrate active listening skills as they respond to audience feedback as they deliver the speech. [CLO2]

Assignment Requirements:

Written Portion:

1. The topic should be about an advocacy group or organization focusing on the communities and individuals who benefit from the groups or organizations work and why you are advocating for them.

2. The speech should be 4-5 minutes in length and should be constructed using language should be persuasive and informational. Time does not allow for speeches over 5.30 minutes, so speakers who exceed the time will be asked to come to a stopping point quickly.

3. Speech format must include Monroe's Motivated Sequence (MMS) used effectively within the speech outline.

1. MMS steps must include the following; attention (the attention must be a narrative), need, satisfaction, visualization, and action. These steps will be worked into the standard speech outline format. (This is a modification of the format used to write your debate brief earlier this semester).

1. Introduction: Should include the recommended Attention getter, the thesis for the speech, and a preview of the rest of the speech.

2. 3 Main Points: Information is divided into three distinguishable sections which are separated by distinctive transitional statements.

3. Conclusion: Should include the review of the speech, restatement of the thesis; and return to the attention getter.

4. You should demonstrate something tangible that you have done on behalf of the advocacy group. This would be an investment of time, energy, or person.

5. You must cite all sources used as you research and present your speech. There is not a required number of sources but the sources you choose to use must represent a diverse viewpoint and be properly cited during spoken and written usages following a consistent format.

6. A typed full sentence outline (this means outline, do not submit the assignment as an essay) of the speech will be submitted to Canvas prior to the final exam date and time for each section. I expect that some differences will occur but the fundamentals of the performance and the outline should be consistent.

Oral Presentation

1. Your presentation skills should draw upon extemporaneous speaking skills, informative speaking techniques, and effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills specifically suited for online delivery.

Total Points for the Assignment will be weighted as follows (please note both the written and performance portion must be completed jointly, no partial credit will be granted):

Written Portion:

● Speech format is followed: Monroe's Motivated Sequence (MMS) is used effectively within the speech outline. MMS steps must include the following; attention (the attention must be a narrative), need, satisfaction, visualization, and action.

15 Pts.

● Sources cited appropriately in all areas: oral citations or signal phrases, intext citations for written text, and References page included.

10 Pts.

● Sound logic and reasoning used throughout the speech.

10 Pts.

● Writing is free of grammatical and spelling errors and following all other rules for academic writing.

5 Pts.

Total Points for Written Portion: 60 Pts.

Performance Portion:

● Verbal communication skills used effectively to deliver the speech.

5 Pts.

● Non-verbal communication skills used effectively to deliver the speech.

5 Pts.

● Delivery is relaxed and conversational. 5 Pts.

● Delivery is well suited for an online format. 5 Pts.

Total Points for Presentation Portion: 20

Pts.

Total Points for Assignment: 80 Pts.

Resources & Supplemental Assignments:

Assignments in the module are designed to assist the student as they construct the speech and provide small group activities which allow them to practice the skills needed to successfully complete the assignment. These are the assignment:

● Q#3: Topic Selection for the Advocacy Speech assists the student as they select the organization they will speak about during the speech.

● E#7: Monroes Motivated Sequence will provide an opportunity to apply the principles of MMS in small group presentations.

● Q#4: Peer Outline Review will give students the opportunity to review the work of other students and receive feedback prior to submitting the final assignment.