INFORMATIVE SPEECH
Speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Speech Guidelines
Time: 3 minutes. You have a 30
second grace period on either end
of the time limit. If you go over or
under that time, two points will be
deducted for every 30 seconds you
go beyond or under the time limit.
Topics: See the reverse side.
Outline: A full-sentence outline
of the speech is due on the day you
give your speech. Failure to do so
will result in the dropping of one
letter grade for each day it is late.
When you write and deliver a speech, you are creating
a speaking event that, although prepared and practiced,
is unique to that moment in time and can never be
repeated exactly the same. In this unit you will learn
how to research, write, and deliver a powerful
informative speech that helps your audience understand
and remember something new.
Research Requirements
Responsible research requires that you educate yourself on
the major issues of the topic you have chosen, find the chief
authorities on the topic, fully understand the information
from these sources, and document the information accurately.
The information should be timely especially if your topic is a
rapidly changing subject. You are required to have:
3 sources – 3 source cards
15 information cards
**You cannot use general encyclopedias either hard copy or
online versions, but you can use these sources as a starting
point for your research.
Delivery: Extemporaneous – two
notes cards are allowed. You may
use front and back of both cards.
You can use 3x5 or 4x6 cards.
Presentation Aids: Required –
you must be able to deliver the
speech without the aid if you
forget it or do not submit it on
time.
Enthusiasm: Required
Appearance: Formal
Late Penalties: Failure to give
speech on assigned day will result
in the dropping of one letter grade
for each day the speech is late.
Unit Materials:
•note cards for research/speaking
•manila envelope 8.5 x 11
Choosing a Topic
A Tale of Two Cities related topics:
General Topics:
• Resurrection Men: what were they, what did they do, how were they perceived? 1. 1. Your birth date: Explain
Does Dickens accurately reflect them in his novel?
important people or events that
• Charles Dickens: In the preface to A Tale of Two Cities Dickens comments on his
occurred on that date: Past and
writing of the novel. “Throughout its execution it has had complete possession of
present. Do not list
me; I have so far verified what is done and suffered in these pages, as that I have
information. Research
certainly done and suffered it all myself.” Who is Charles Dickens and what aspects
information and explore the
of his life affected his writing of A Tale of Two Cities? (Make some connections
content in an intriguing way.
between what was happening in his life at the time and how that might be
Reference people who have
represented in the novel.) Is A Tale of Two Cities typical of a Dickens novel? Explain
shown honorable contributions
why or why not using examples from other novels that Dickens wrote.
to humanity.
• The guillotine: Despite its inherent horror, the guillotine was actually created as a
more merciful way to kill prisoners. What is the history of the guillotine? Who 2. 2. Story behind the product:
created it? What is its place in the history of capital punishment in Europe? How
Explore the product’s origin,
does Dickens use the guillotine in the novel? What was Dickens’ interest in capital
development, marketing,
punishment? Who is “Samson?” How many guillotine executions really did occur?
improvements, and uses.
• Serialization: A Tale of Two Cities was published serially in weekly and monthly
Explore the information in an
installments from April 1859 to November 1859. How did the serial form affect the
intriguing way.
novel? Discuss the novel’s structure, characters, use of literary devices, and
transitions. Also discuss Dickens’ financial reliance on having his work published in
serial form and how the serial form was typical of this time period. Compare to
modern publication of materials. Is the serial form used successfully today? Find
examples.
• Voices from the Prison: During the late 1700’s there were many prisons in Paris
and often other buildings were turned into prisons to accommodate the increasing
number of prisoners. What was life like in the prisons? What freedoms and
restrictions were placed on the prisoners? How did isolation affect the prisoners?
What was Dickens’ interest in prisons and solitary confinement? How did his
experience with prisons affect his writing of the novel?
• Thomas Carlyle: Dickens thanks Thomas Carlyle in the preface of A Tale of Two
Cities because it was Carlyle who provided Dickens with historical background
material on the French Revolution. Carlyle’s history, The French Revolution,
influenced Dickens’ perception of events during the French Revolution and even
shaped specific scenes in the novel. What were Carlyle’s and Dickens’s views on the
French Revolution? How did Carlyle’s description of the Storming of the Bastille
influence Dickens’ rendering of the event in the novel?
What are the tasks required for this speech?
1. Choose Topic
2. Research the topic
3. Document information with note cards using MLA
format.
4. Build an outline
a. Write an introduction with a hook
b. Write a body that has two to three primary
areas of interest
c. Write a conclusion that summarizes and ends
2
5.
6.
7.
8.
with impact
d. Write a Works Cited
page
Build a presentation aid
Create speaking note cards
Practice
Give speech!