Writing a speech

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Speech Project

Project Overview

You will present a 4-5 minute speech on a topic of your choice. This is a five-part project with

separate deadlines as specified on the pages that follow. You will present the final speech to

your instructor only, in Week 11, via YouTube video. A basic timeline of deliverables is listed

below:

This project is intended to demonstrate the importance of effective and ethical communication skills,

including the communication process, types of communication, and listening skills. Throughout the

project development you will explore the roles of self-concept, perception, emotional intelligence, self-

disclosure, and technology in effective communication, show how to use verbal and nonverbal

communication effectively, and finally compose and deliver a well-crafted persuasive and/or

informative speech.

Part 1

• Develop a speech outline based upon your chosen topic.

• Part 1 is due at the end of Week 4.

Part 2

• Paraphrase, summarize, and/or provide quotes from no less than two resources.

• Part 2 of your speech project is due end of Week 6.

Part 3

• Prepare a Draft of your written speech.

• Please note that your draft is due by end of Week 8.

Part 4

• Incorporate applicable feedback and revisions to finalize your written speech.

• Your final copy is due by end of Week 9.

Part 5

• Deliver your speech via video to your instructor.

• Your Youtube video presentation of your speech due end of Week 11.

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Assignment Details:

 Part 1: Speech Outline

For your speech outline, you will begin compiling ideas for your speech and consider how you can

use research to support you in developing your speech. Possible topics include an aspect related to

your field of study, topics in the news, or any other topics of interest. Keep in mind that talking about

what you know and are passionate about can make the speech easier to write, as well as present.

Perform the following tasks:

 Create a 1-2 page (250-500 word) speech outline in Word to be submitted by the end of Week 4.

o Include the following in your outline:

 Main topic summary – Briefly describe the main topic you will be presenting

in your speech (3-5 sentences).

 Background – Briefly describe why you chose your topic (3-5 sentences).

 Speech type – Define if your speech will be informative, persuasive, or

entertaining.

 Supporting topics – Briefly discuss at least three supporting topics (i.e.

subtopics) that will be discussed in your speech (3-5 sentences).

 Conclusion – Summarize the main points of your speech and the angle or

position that you plan on taking (5-7 sentences).

 References - Brainstorm and briefly describe three ways references found via your research will help in writing and delivering your speech (3-5 sentences).

Hint: Review the Speech Grading Guidelines to get an idea of how your final speech will be graded.

Grading:

Gradable items in assignment Points

Summarized main topic in brief but adequate detail. 30

Provided background explanation of topic. 30

Defined clearly speech type. 15

Articulated clearly supporting topics (i.e. subtopics). 15

Provided conclusion summarizing main points. 15

Described three ways references provided help. 15

Error-free grammar, spelling, punctuation. 10

Correct formatting – double-spacing, Times New-Roman, 12pt font. 10

Total Points 140

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 Part 2: Resources and References

Your speech should incorporate at least two resources of information, which you paraphrase,

summarize, and/or quote. Using LIRN and the Internet, identify at least two sources of information

that will be used to support your speech. At least one of these resources of information must be

obtained through the LIRN online library resource.

Perform the following tasks:

 Create a 2-page (500 words) Word document outlining your resources (see below) to be submitted by the end of Week 6.

 Develop a Reference page.

o Include the following:

 Paraphrase, summarize, and/or quote information you will use in your speech

from no less than two resources.

 Explain how you will use this information to support your main and supporting

topics within your speech.

 Please consider using this Source Materials and Reference List worksheet to

assist you with this part of your project. This worksheet does not need to be

turned in to your instructor.

 Provide a reference list in proper APA style.

Hints: Locate the following resources on the Internet to help you format the references page and

paraphrase, summarize, and/or quote the information from your sources. Your instructor can help you

determine the best sources to use.

 Purdue OWL – Click on “Using Research” in the left navigation; click on “Quoting,

Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.”

 Citation Machine – automated citing and referencing of sources.

Grading:

Gradable items in assignment Points

Correctly paraphrase, summarize, or quote from two resources. 50

Explained how information from resources supports speech. 50

Used proper APA style for citations and for references. 20

Error-free grammar, spelling, punctuation. 10

Correct formatting – double-spacing, Times New-Roman, 12pt font. 10

Total Points 140

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 Part 3: Written Speech Draft

Over the past few weeks, you have created a rough outline and conducted research for writing your

speech. Based upon what you have already created for this project, you will write a draft of your

speech to be submitted to your instructor by the end of the day Sunday for feedback. You will then

have the opportunity to incorporate feedback in the next part of this project.

Perform the following tasks:

 Create a minimum 1-page (250 words) written draft speech in Word to be submitted by the end of Week 8.

o Include/adhere to the following in your written speech:

 Title page.

 Written speech (portion you will deliver in Part 4).

 Reference page using APA style.

 Summary regarding feedback received from your instructor on your initial draft

and how it was incorporated into your final speech (5-7 sentences).

 Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font.

Hints: Refer to the following resource located on the Internet to help you paraphrase, summarize, or

quote your source materials.

 Purdue OWL – Click on “Using Research” in the left navigation; click on “Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.”

Grading:

Gradable items in assignment follow Written Assignment Rubric Points

Completed the following as directed:

Organization 40

Content of speech 60

Feedback summary 20

Style 10

Writing Conventions 10

Total Points 140

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 Part 4: Written Speech Final

Over the past few weeks, you have conducted research and created a rough outline and submitted a

draft for your speech. Based upon the feedback provided from the draft you have already created for

this project, you will prepare your final copy by end of day Sunday for instructor grading.

Perform the following tasks:

 Create a minimum 1-page (250 words) written final speech in Word to be submitted by the end of Week 9.

o Include/adhere to the following in your written speech:

 Title page.

 Written speech (portion you will deliver in Part 4).

 Reference page using APA style.

 Summary regarding feedback received from your instructor on your initial draft

and how it was incorporated into your final speech (5-7 sentences).

 Double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font.

Hints: Refer to the following resource located on the Internet to help you paraphrase, summarize, or

quote your source materials.

 Purdue OWL – Click on “Using Research” in the left navigation; click on “Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.”

Grading:

Gradable items in assignment follow Written Assignment Rubric Points

Completed the following as directed:

Organization 40

Content of speech 60

Feedback summary 20

Style 10

Writing Conventions 10

Total Points 140

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 Part 5: Video Presentation of Speech

Now it’s time to deliver your speech. Deliver your speech via video using a web cam and upload it to

YouTube as an unlisted video to your instructor. Take some time to practice delivering your speech

before you save your video and upload it to YouTube.

Perform the following tasks:

 Create a 4-5-minute video of your speech to be submitted by the end of Week 11.

o Speech Recording and YouTube Instructions (Note - You need to have a Gmail account to upload your speech video to YouTube):

 Use the Speech Recording Instructions to learn how to record your

speech via screencast-o-matic and upload it in YouTube.

 When your video has finished uploading, copy the URL of your video and paste it

into the “Week 11 Assignment” project submittal area.

 Include the following in your course “Week 11 Assignment” project submittal area:

a. Your speech title – the same title you listed in YouTube.

b. A short introductory description along with the total length of your video.

c. The URL of your video speech.

Hints: Practice uploading a video to YouTube several times before you upload your final speech

video. You want to be sure that you understand how to use this tool.

Grading:

Gradable items in assignment following Speech/Presentation Guidelines Points

Completed the following as directed:

Organization 30

Connection w/Audience 30

Subject Knowledge 30

Language 15

Eye contact 10

Fluency 15

Body language 10

Total Points 140