Informative Speech Assignment (25% of your grade):
NOTE: OUTLINE IN THE CORRECT FORMAT DUE AT THE START OF CLASS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPEECHES.
The informative speech is 4-6 minute speech that informs the audience about an object, concept, process, person, or place. Topics must meet the four Ns: The topic is NEW to the audience, the topic is NOW (meaning timely), the topic is NEAT to know, and this audience NEEDS to know about this topic. Importantly, this speech does NOT suggest any course of action or attempt to persuade. Specific Requirements:
- Structure: Stay within 4-6 minutes; The speech should include a clear and complete introduction and conclusion and 2-3 main points in support of your thesis.
- Support: The speech should verbally cite 3-5 sources from which you have drawn support for your claims. Verbal citations should provide at least TWO pieces of identifying information, such as the author name, publication name, name of title, and/or date. These sources should match the sources cited in the outline and on the References page.
- Written Preparation: You are to prepare by constructing a full sentence preparation outline that you will submit on the first day of speeches. It should clearly express in written form the substance of the message that is presented in class. A References page in APA format should also be included. Upload one copy to canvas and bring one printed outline on the first day of speeches. A properly-formatted outline: typed, single‑ or double-spaced, Times New Roman font, 12-point font, standard one-inch margins. Typing begins at the top of the page, on white paper, standard size, and stapled (no paper clips, folders, or covers). Failure to staple a document with multiple loose pages (such as a speech outline) will result in 1% off of the speech grade or assignment. Label all major parts of the speech at minimum (intro, body, conclusion).
- Presentation: A polished, extemporaneous delivery style is required using no more than three 3x5 note cards or the equivalent. Speeches that are read or recited cannot receive a passing grade. The purpose of requiring an extemporaneous method of presentation is to keep you in the mix. Read or recited speeches cut speakers off from their audiences, and this is not allowed. I will also comment on how well you maintain eye contact with your audience, your rate of delivery, the clarity of the presentation and your composure.
Additional Requirements:
The sources that you use should be diverse in the sense that they should come from different locations (websites, organizations, books, etc.) and represent at least three of the following types:
Book: Full-length work on one subject by one or more listed authors.
Pamphlet: Bound or folded article length publication with one or several authors
Print Article: An article in magazine or edited collection published in a bound paper. (I will accept materials accessed using Galileo under this category)
Electronic Article: Article or report published on a website, or in an e-book, or on a CD Rom.
Personal: An interview or survey conducted By You. (Results of interviews and surveys published by others count under their medium of publication.)
Reference collection examples:
1 book + 2 print articles + 1 interview with family member = 4
2 articles from websites + 1 survey of fellow students + 2 pamphlets = 5
1 pamphlets by a health care org. + 1 interviews with an expert + 1 articles (Galileo) = 3
You may use other types of sources, such as commercially recorded music, art objects you may show us or cite from a publication, or commercially recorded video. Please remember to cite all sources properly!
Do not use Wikipedia for a source. You may use Wikipedia to find more reputable sources.
Types of supporting materials: Examples, Definitions, Narratives, Statistics, and Testimony**
**For the assignment, you should aim to use 3 out of 5 supporting materials in the body of your speech.
For example, a speech about Autism may contain the following main points and supporting materials:
- Definition of Autism (definition, example, and peer testimony)
- Causes of Autism (example, expert testimony, and statistics)
- Treatments of Autism ( definition, peer testimony and narrative [1st person]
- Oral Citations(see Chapter 5: Using Supporting Materials Effectively) must be utilized in the speech as well. Include AT LEAST TWO PIECES of identifying information (author name, article name, book name, year of publication, website name, etc.) Points will be taken off if running acknowledgements are not used throughout the delivery and formal outline.
- Organizational Patterns: Utilize a specific pattern for your speeches (i.e. Topical, Chronological, Spatial, Causal, or Pro/Con).
The fine print: Late outlines will receive 10% off for every day they are late. Not showing up on speech day results in a “0.” Outlines without a proper APA References page will receive an F. Technological issues are not a valid excuse for failure to turn work in on time. Plan ahead! Please let me know about any questions you have right away so that I can help!
