Informative Speech

(50 pts.)

Goal

Present an informative, well researched, well organized, and relevant speech. 

Purpose 

It is often difficult for a speaker to remain neutral when speaking on a topic. It is tempting to take a side on an issue and persuade others to agree. However, there are times when a speaker should only inform others on a topic.  Thus, the Informative speech gives you the opportunity to illustrate skills necessary to remain neutral on a topic. Consider this assignment as a chance to teach the class about a topic. Do not, however, present a how-to speech (for example, how to write a resume, how to bake cookies, how to present a speech you began working on the night before, etc.) because this type of speech often requires little to no research.  

While preparing for the Informative speech, review feedback you received on the previous speech and try to improve.  For this speech, demonstrate your ability to:

• Develop a well-organized speech with clear structure, smooth transitions, and a logical flow of consistent main/sub-points. (See your textbook for a list of organizational patterns to arrange main points. Ask the instructor which organizational patterns work best for an Informative speech.)
• Construct an introduction that has an attention-getter, concise central idea, statement of credibility, statement of relevance, and preview statement briefly previewing each main point.
• Construct a conclusion that signals the end of a speech, reviews each main point, reinforces the central idea, and ends with a memorable final thought providing a sense of closure.  
• Conduct research and gather at least 5 quality sources (e.g., a scholarly journal article, newspaper/magazine article, book, credible website, etc.).
• Orally cite sources.  Whenever you present information from a particular source, you must orally cite the source during the speech presentation. 
• Write a reference list. Each source orally cited should be listed on the Works Cited page, which should be in MLA format. Additionally, every source listed on the Works Cited page should be orally cited during the presentation.  There should not be a source listed that is not directly or indirectly quoted during the presentation.
• Develop and present a speech with a clear and consistent focus throughout.
• Develop a speech with 2 – 3 main points. 
• Present a speech that fits within a specified time limit.  The speech must be 5-7 minutes. (Up to 5 points deducted for every 30-second interval under or over time. Over 1 minute: Speaker may be stopped and missing elements may receive no credit.)
• Deliver an enthusiastic, extemporaneous speech. Do not read your speech. Reading excessively will result in 0 (zero) for delivery. 
• Deliver a speech with effective nonverbal cues, proper articulation, limited vocalized pauses, and an appropriate rate of speaking.
• Use a well-designed presentation/visual aid effectively (e.g., a chart, graph, picture, audio clip, etc.) that complements a message.  You must have at least one visual aid for this speech.
• Prepare a well-organized outline. Please adhere to whatever format your instructor prefers when writing the outline. However, every source orally cited during your actual speech presentation should also be listed in the outline. The outline and Works Cited list must be given to the instructor on the day you present the speech.  Failure to turn in these materials before presenting the speech on the day you are assigned may result in a 0 (zero) for the speech materials and you will not be allowed to present your speech.