for tom mutunga

COMM 211- Persuasive Presentation

Point Value: _______________ Proposal Form Due: _____________________

Outline Due: Due on SafeAssign by class time on your presentation day

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

Topic: In this speech, you will attempt to persuade your audience to take action regarding a topic

that will improve their well-being. The topic will be something your audience can do on a personal

level now and in the near future.

Purpose: This speech builds on your informative speech. Through careful research and organization,

you must inform your audience about your topic. Then, through carefully crafted and well-supported

arguments and based upon information you have given them, you must persuade them to act on this

issue.

Arguments: You need to clearly summarize/describe the major arguments of your view. You must

present well-reasoned and well-documented evidence for the major arguments. Avoid bias in

presenting arguments or characterizing conflicting views. Avoid fallacies in your arguments.

Thesis: Develop a thesis that meets the criteria discussed in class and readings (i.e., full sentence,

one distinct idea, etc.)

Structure: The speech will follow the Problem-Cause-Solution organizational pattern. This means

you will have 3 main points. You will present a problem (main point I), cause or causes of the

problem (main point II), and solution or solutions that correspond with the causes (main point III).

Your solutions or solutions to your problem must be at least something your audience can do at a

personal level. You may want to include solutions at the national/societal level depending on the

causes you present. We will talk more about Problem-Cause-Solution as time goes along. All other

elements of structure (i.e., Introduction, Conclusion, Transitions) remain the same as your

informative speech.

Outline: A complete-sentence outline is required for this speech. It must be typed, properly

formatted, and fully developed (i.e., detailed, full sentence, all required elements).

Support: You must use a minimum of 6 sources for this speech. All sources must be cited correctly

on your outline (in text and in parentheses) and orally in your presentation according to class criteria

(i.e., source, date). A typed reference page formatted correctly (i.e., APA style) must be attached to

your outline. All sources must be less than two years old. As a college-level course, the sources you

will be using will be more advanced. You will begin by researching the most current readings on

your selected topic. Therefore, you cannot use dictionaries or encyclopedias (including Wikipedia)

for any speech assignment. All the information that you would find in these types of sources can be

found in credible news articles. Web pages do not count unless they can also be found in print and

are from a credible source (i.e., Newsweek, on Lexis-Nexis). Therefore, there should be no ".coms"

on your Reference page. Copies of all the materials cited on your reference page must be turned in

the day of your presentation in your folder.

Delivery: Extemporaneous. You are limited to five 3 x 5 notecards (one for introduction, each main

point, and conclusion). Brief passages (attention getter, concluding statement, and transitions) may

be memorized, but a lot of the wording of the speech should be created at the moment of speaking.

Write only a few key words on each notecard. Notecards must be handwritten (not typed) and only

written on one side. All notecards will be turned in after your presentation.

Visual Aids: PowerPoint will be the mode of projecting your visual aids. The majority of your

information represented via your visual aid should appear in the body of the speech. You may use

additional visual aids in the introduction or conclusion of your speech, but you need to keep in mind

the necessity of these additional visuals. In fact, most of the time visual aids are not necessary in the

introduction or conclusion. See me if you have questions. No video clips can be used as visual aids in

this speech. Your visual aids should be used to enhance the understanding of your content.

Practice: Once again, make sure you practice with your timer, notecards, and visual aids MANY

times before your presentation. Some practice sessions should be in front of an honest audience.

Time Limits: The speech must be between 7-8 minutes. There will be a 30 second window at the

each end of this time frame (i.e., it can be as short as 6:30 and as long as 8:30). You will lose 10

points for every 30 seconds you fall short of the time. You will lose points for the parts of the speech

you do not cover. Make sure you practice with a timer SEVERAL times to make sure you have no

problem with time.

SCC: A SCC visit is required for this speech but to receive the points you have to complete the

following criteria. First, you must visit the SCC at least 2 days before your scheduled presentation

date. Second, you must use your keyword notecards during your visit (i.e., versus your complete

sentence outline). Third, you must have your completed PowerPoint presentation and use it during

your practice sessions. Finally, you must videotape your presentation and watch your tape with the

consultant. Again, ALL of the above criteria must be met to receive your points.

TO BE TURNED IN ON PRESENTATION DAY:

On SafeAssign

Final complete sentence outline (with reference page attached at end)

In Class Folder

Hard copies of research cited on reference page or put it on a cd

Copies of PowerPoint slides (put several slides on one page)

You will turn in your notecards after your presentation

5 points will be deducted for each required item not turned in on your speech day so plan accordingly

(even if you turn it in right after class).

EVALUATION:

Your presentation should meet the requirements of a properly presented informative speech.

A. Preparation of a properly formatted complete sentence outline and reference page.

B. Analysis of topic and audience.

C. Organization of the speech.

D. Research.

E. Use of evidence.

F. Refined delivery.

LATE PRESENTATION POLICY:

As discussed on your class syllabus, you are expected to deliver your speech on your assigned day. If you

fail to deliver on your assigned day, you will receive a zero on the speech unless I have pre-approved

other arrangements prior to your speech day and/or it is an emergency (i.e., if it is a medical reason I will

ask for doctor documentation). An email sent to me before or during class telling me you can’t be there

doesn’t mean I have pre-approved other arrangements. Additionally, if you must change your speech day

due to other reasons (i.e., work, activity obligations), it is up to you to find another student to switch

speech days with you.