Guidelines for the Informative Speech Assignment
Week 10: The informative Speech Assignment
Unit 10 is a three part assignment and will be divided into two-weeks of work beginning with the rough draft. Students will research, organize, and present an informative speech.
Unit Level Learning outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the communication process through invention, organization, outlining, revision, editing and presentation.
Students will be able to practice effective verbal and nonverbal delivery skills in the context of different speaking occasions.
Students will be able to exhibit an understanding of listening skills and audience analysis techniques
Summative Assessment: Students will begin this assignment by preparing a rough draft of their informative speech presentation. The outline should be more than 50 percent complete (oral citations are not required) and must include a complete text of the introduction and conclusion. Please use the following docs to get started. Here are some quick tips to help you achieve success on this writing assignment:
(1) Do not submit an essay.
(2) Please follow the rules of outlining. Everything you submit in this class should be an outline.
(3) Speech writing is different than writing an academic paper.
- (4) Demonstration Speeches will not be accepted.
- (5) Finally, please avoid choosing a persuasive speech topic for this assignment. It's a common mistake and it will hurt your grade in the class.
- Please read the assignment description below:
Assignment introduction
The goal of this speech is to simply inform the audience by imparting knowledge and understanding about an idea, object, place, or event. Please do not give another “how-to or process speech” At the end of the speech, the audience should have a balanced view of your topic based on your research. Select topics that are useful and interesting. Your goal is not to express your attitude or personal viewpoint on the topic. Just provide the facts so the audience can decide for themselves what, if anything, is important. Do not urge the audience to act on your topic or issue – just inform them.
Instructions to be completed over the next two weeks:
Select a topic that is useful and interesting.
Begin a working outline (rough draft). The outline should have a complete text of the introduction and conclusion and should be more than 50% complete.
You will submit your final outline and speech at a later time.
You will prepare a five to six-minute presentation.
Delivery Method: This speech should be delivered extemporaneously, which means that it is prepared in advance, which includes rehearsing it. Use a conversational speaking style that talks naturally “with” us, not “at” us. Keep movements and gestures natural. Notecards: 2-3 allowed.
Organization: The most common strategic orders (Chapter 8) for this type of informative speech are chronological and topical. However, on occasion, the causal or spatial pattern may also be used.
Visual Aids (Optional): The accuracy, clarity, appropriateness, and usefulness of your visual aid will be part of your evaluation. The audience should not feel that the visual aid has been thrown in at the last minute or that the speech would have been equally good or even better if no visual aid had been used.
Sources: (5) sources are required for this speech presentation. Each oral citation is worth (2) points. Failure to cite all five sources will result in -10 deduction.
Oral Citations: Please see Chapter 7: Research and Support to learn how to properly orally cite sources in your speech.
References: A bibliography is required for this speech. On a separate page, please include your references (APA style format) and attach to final outline.
Verbal Communication: Give adequate attention to the verbal aspects of this speech. Avoid the use of vocalized pauses. Speak in well-formed, grammatically correct sentences. Articulation, enunciation, and correct pronunciation are important.
Nonverbal Communication: The nonverbal aspects of public speaking that require attention in this speech include posture, natural gestures, appropriate attire (BUSINESS), facial expressions, eye contact and purposeful body movements. Transition walk is mandatory.