STG K2

Informative Speech Assignment

Time Limit: Four to six minutes would be recommended for a first speech.

Assignment: Students should select a topic of interest they feel qualified to speak on before the class. The topic should be of worth, and students will be asked to support their speech with four qualified sources; sources may be drawn from the internet or library.

Procedure: Students should construct an outline of their speech. Note that an outline is not a manuscript of the speech itself, but a skeleton of the ideas and materials that will be presented. Use the following as a guide.

Plan

General Purpose: To inform.

Specific Purpose: At the conclusion of my speech, my audience will be able to:

Introduction

I. Attention Getter

II. Statement of Credibility

III. Audience Relation

IV. Central Idea

V. Preview

Body

I. First main point:

A. ______________________________________

B. ______________________________________

1. ____________________________________

2. ___________________________________

C. ______________________________________

(First Necessary Transition)

II. Second main point:

A. ________________________________________

1. _____________________________________

2. _____________________________________

3. _____________________________________

B. ________________________________________

(Second Necessary Transition)

III. Third main point:

A. _________________________________________

B. _________________________________________

C. _________________________________________

(Signal the Conclusion)

Conclusion

I. Summary (main points)

II. Central Idea (what is the significance of these points?)

III. Motivate an audience response (what should the audience do?)

IV. Close

Note: This is simply a model, and all presentations will have numerous variations. Some speakers may have only two main points while others may have five, and the sub structuring will be determined by the evidence presented. Nevertheless, all presentations will conform to this direct sequence organization.

With the outline complete, students should transfer the key ideas and phrases to 3 × 5 or 4 × 6 note cards. Students will be allowed one note card for each main point presented, plus two additional cards to be used for the introduction and conclusion. In other words, for a three-point speech, students may use five cards. A four-point speech would have six cards.

Once these steps are complete, students should set aside at least two hours to talk the speech out. Using the note cards, they should practice the speech until they feel fully confident about how it will be presented.

When you are confident of the content and ordering of the information of your speech, create a PowerPoint presentation from the note cards. There should be a minimum of 1 slide per card and a maximum of 2 slides per card.

Presentations will be graded on the following criteria:

1. Appropriateness of topic

2. Quality of outline

3. Clarity of ideas

4. Interest and vividness of ideas

5. Communication with the audience

6. Quality of research sources and accuracy of information

7. Ability to meet the stated time limit

8. Quality of presentation

All students are expected to incorporate an extemporaneous style of delivery. Any speech that is read can receive no higher than a "C."

Please note: This is an informative speech. If at any time you feel you are attempting to reinforce or change audience attitudes, or that you are advocating a specific action, you are probably falling into the realm of persuasion. Persuasive presentations will receive a letter-grade deduction.

Online students will present their speech to their instructor using a screencast video of themselves. Ground students will present their speech based on instructor requirements, either via screencast video or in-class presentation (in-class presentation is preferred; however, number of students in the classroom may limit this delivery method).

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