Speech 6 mins long in length reading it.
Mlph3116
THEASSIGNEDSPEECH1.pptxTHE ASSIGNED SPEECH
The approach to the speech
The assigned speech asks that you handle a complex topic with a lot of available information
This speech is driven by the research. You must deal with a lot of information and make decisions on what to do with what you find
Organization is a key. The first half of the speech will be informative so that you
Assume that your audience does not know anything about the topic.
Choices you need to make
Since the topic is given to you, you will need to focus on what aspect of the topic you want to focus on.
The rules are simple
If your topic says you are for something, you must be for it.
If your topic states you are against something, you must be against it.
How you personally feel about the topic is irrelevant – this is an academic exercise. By taking the side you are given, you are not committing to anything – you are merely presenting a researched topic
If your topic is neutral, you can choose any side that you want.
This can be any kind of speech that you want – informative, persuasive, Storytelling, entertainment, etc.
Let the research be your guide.
Let the research guide your approach to the topic and help you decide what approach you will take
Start with general information – use Almanacs, Encyclopedias, Data bases, and Wikipedia are good places to start.
REMEMBER YOU CANNOT USE WIKIPEDIA AS A SOURCE – TO DO SO, YOU LOSE 5 POINTS FOR MENTIONING ANY WIKI.
However, Wikipedia can be used to learn the language of the topic and find credible sources that are included.
Decide what aspect of the topic you will focus on
You cannot present the entire topic in 6 minutes, you will have to select one part of the topic to present.
Concentric Circle Organization
Think of this speech as a series of concentric circles
You start with Setting the Stage, Narrow the topic, Present the topic of the speech
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The Outermost Circle Setting the Stage
The first part of the speech is setting the stage
You are trying to create common ground for your audience so they know the language, definitions, people and general concepts.
If you do not do this, the audience will not know what you are talking about when you start presenting the theme of your speech.
This makes the first part the speech informative.
You need credible sources and clear organization,
This part of the 6 minute speech may take as much as 2 minutes of the speech minutes
For example: You discuss nuclear weapons development in Russia. You set the stage with general information and place this development into context.
The Second Circle Narrowing the topic
There is no way that you can cover all of the information on this topic in 6 minutes [even if you use the extra 30 seconds]
You will need to select material on one aspect of the topic as the focus of your speech. This means you will need to decide which part of the topic is most relevant, interesting, applicable, captivating, etc. for your audience and/or for you as the speaker.
Narrowing the topic allows you to use the foundation you established in the first circle and start the focus to a particular topic.
For example :
You now narrow the presentation on nuclear weapons development in Russia to talk about the SS 20 warheads created between 1985 and 1995. With the material presented in setting the stage the audience can understand where these warheads fit in the history and their significance
The Third Circle The Main Topic
You have taken up to ~ 3 minutes of your speech to set the stage and narrow the topic. Now it is time to focus on your topic.
Without the first 2 stages, your audience will not be able to understand the material you present.
While not required, it may be a good idea to present an internal preview at this point to indicate what you plan on doing with the information on the main topic.
All of your information in the latter half of your speech should focus on the topic. It uses the foundation of previous material presented and builds on it.
For example:
You present evidence that shows the Russians created the largest warhead – the SS 20’s in reaction to the negotiations with the US to limit the number of warheads on each side. As the Americans made smaller warheads, the Russians action reflected their economic, social and political climate.
Scope and Approach
You will make a number of decisions in this process on what you will focus on, how you will present it and the process of unveiling the information you will use for your audience.
I recommend that you stop when you have done 60% of your research and make these decisions. If you follow the 4 times rule, then you need 24-26 minutes of material before you are ready to write your speech.
When you have between 15-17 minutes of information, you need to make decisions. These decisions will influence the remainder of the research you will do.
If, after moving forward, you find that you need to alter the speech because its not working , you can return to this point, make different decisions and go forward.
Scope
The scope refers to the view, or perspective of the topic you wish to provide.
A panoramic view or global view is a general perspective that looks at the main topic as if you are at 10,000 feet looking down. You provide general information and give a big picture view. You do not deal with specific information about single cases or examples. This is a puddle a mile wide and 2 inches deep
The opposite of the panoramic view is a case study approach. This focuses on one example and gives great detail about that single circumstance. This is similar to a single story speech. It is a 5 square foot well drilled 50 feet deep. The single case is seen as a typical example
A third perspective is multiple examples – like a 3 story speech. Different aspects of the topic are highlighted in each example. As a whole, these examples/vignettes show a clear picture of the topic.
Approach
You have multiple ways that you can display this information.
You may choose
You may choose a historical approach - where you define the topic and explain its significance based on its history and impact.
You may choose a futuristic approach – what will the topic look like, what will its impact be, in the year 2075?
You can choose a people approach – focus on the individuals who have made/are making an impact on the field of study
You can choose a practical application approach – how does this topic, this information, impact how you live today.
A variety of approaches based on culture, gender, technology, economics, etc.
Tips for The Assigned Speech
The process that you use to uncover information and understand the topic can be a helpful guide to explain the topic for your audience.
For the most part, the audience will know only what you tell them. Make sure you don’t waste time or information on extraneous things.
You are the expert on the topic. Your research will make you more knowledgeable about the topic than anyone in the audience.
Focus, focus, focus. Speeches are made as much by what you leave out as what you include. This means you will, by necessity, eliminate a lot of good information that does not fit in the time constraints, is not the best material or does not emphasize your topic.
