SPEECH EXCERPT:
P1: “According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended amount of caffeine is up to 400
milligrams per day for healthy adults. Of course, this "safe" dosage will fluctuate based on
overall health, weight and age. Caffeine overdose may occur if you ingest more than this
amount. A caffeine overdose occurs when you take in too much caffeine through drinks,
foods, or medications.
P2: The symptoms of caffeine overdose range from the mild to the severe. Most people
know that coffee can help keep you regular, thanks to its laxative properties. Drink more
than two or three cups a day, though, and you might get diarrhea, according to the
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. The National Institute of Mental
Health recommends that people who suffer from anxiety avoid caffeine. Why? Too much
coffee can actually worsen the effects of anxiety, either by robbing you of proper sleep or
triggering your flight or fight response.
P3: Studies have shown that the population of those most likely to suffer from caffeine
overdose are young adults in their 20s and 30s. In a Reddit blog, several college students
described their experiences. Sarah stated, "Pulled an all-nighter. 6 cups of coffee followed
by a monster in the span of about 4 or 5 hours. I had heart palpitations in my first class and
started having weird hallucinations about my dog." Xyner said, "Had 4 cans of monster
energy (144 mg of caffeine) to finish an assignment last minute, and didn't sleep for two
days. Never doing that again.”
Paragraph 1
Supporting Material: “According to the Mayo Clinic, the recommended amount of caffeine
is up to 400 milligrams per day for healthy adults.”
Type: brief example
Strength: Great facts about caffeine and one good supporting material
Weakness: not enough supporting materials to back up facts
Paragraph 2
Supporting Materials: “Drink more than two or three cups a day, though, and you might
get diarrhea, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders”
Type: brief example
Supporting Material: “The National Institute of Mental Health recommends that people
who suffer from anxiety avoid caffeine.”
Type: brief example
Strength: variety of supporting materials
Weakness: very few supporting examples
Paragraph 3
Supporting Material: “Studies have shown that the population of those most likely to
suffer from caffeine overdose are young adults in their 20s and 30s. In a Reddit blog,
several college students described their experiences.”
Type: statistic
Supporting Material: “ Sarah stated, "Pulled an all-nighter. 6 cups of coffee followed by a
monster in the span of about 4 or 5 hours. I had heart palpitations in my first class and
started having weird hallucinations about my dog." Xyner said, "Had 4 cans of monster
energy (144 mg of caffeine) to finish an assignment last minute, and didn't sleep for two
days. Never doing that again.”
Type: Study
Strength: Using a case study to back up any facts and using s credible website for
supporting materials
Weakness: none