Kick Starter launch Persuasive Speech Assignment
Goal: The primary objective of this speech is to persuade, either by reinforcing or altering the audience’s
attitudes, beliefs, values, and behavior, or by suggesting new attitudes, beliefs, or values to your audience. You
persuade the audience with evidence for or against your topic. With this assignment, you are going to
persuade us to financially back your project, idea, app, small business, non-profit, concept etc.
Hint- You can do this with a few statistics; or show us market research and the benefits of your project. How
will it help the community? How will it help your audience?
Written Work: You must turn in a bibliography and your outline. These materials are due on the day of your
presentation. Late work will NOT be accepted. The outline and bibliography show me that you have thought
carefully about your speech, organized your ideas, and supported them with scholarly research. If you fail to
turn in written work on the day of your speech, you will receive an automatic zero. – 7 points if your outline
isn’t done correctly-see template below. You can have as many main points as needed. -7 points if all your
sources aren’t in APA format.-14 if no Bibliography.
As noted in your CMS 111 syllabus, students are to speak in an extemporaneous mode. Extemporaneous
speaking style means that you will NOT READ your speech word for word. If you do, you may be told to stop
and sit down or your grade may suffer a 14 point reduction.
Research: Your speech must be based on information obtained from 4- 8 sources (see speech criteria speech).
You must identify each source orally (I will count off for not correctly citing sources), in the outline of the
speech, and on a single-page bibliography. An adequate source citation in a bibliography includes the name of
the publication, its author, the date it was published, and the volume, issue, and page numbers. Internet
citations should include the name of the web page, the author (or group of authors or organization responsible
for publishing the material), and the specific web address. You may compose your bibliography in APA format.
Identify each source orally –for example “According to an article written in 2007 by Diana Kelly “The
epideictic love of rhetoric” she states that….
Topic/Project Selection categories and examples:
Apps ideas students have used in the past
Ghost- an app with GPS features that lets you avoid your ex. This app will provide a different route
so that you don’t run into your ex on campus, while driving or at a bar.
Key All-a digital key that is linked to your house, car, mailbox and work place. You can access
anything linked to your iphone with a code.
Pedowatch-an app that lets you know where local pedophiles live in the surrounding areas.
Fluffies-an app that reminds you for your pets shots, keeps track of weight, dental health,
schedules, it links to your vet’s office.
Parkway- an app that picks up on censors in the parking lot, lets you know what spaces are
available and taken.
For more information: https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics?ref=footer
Screen-app that lets you scan items you place in your grocery cart and keeps a tally of money
spent.
Alcohol app- linked to local bars and lets you know how much alcohol intake, degree of inebriation
based on weight, height and other stats.
Other examples:
Art- Ghost Sign Restoration Project, The 9th ward Improv Opera, Warp & Weft- a community art
weaving project, Unmasking the Stockholm Syndrome – Art Exhibition.
Design- #endbookhate with Plush Textbook toys, The world’s best travel jacket with 15 features,
ULLO-The Wine Purifier.
Fashion- towel shorts, ESYM: Portable aromatherapy crafted by hand, Reid Miller Apparel:
Wardrobe staples for the biking woman, Swannies Sandals: play golf and hit the town without
changing footwear in the world’s first soft spike sandal.
Film & Video-Hala-a short film about a muslim- American girl who faces tensions between faith,
family and sexual exploration, The Bill Nye Film (Made by two fans), Phosphorescencedocumentary about Emily Dickinson.
Food- Mytlewood-a cookbook. Think jerky, healthy jerky by famous chefs, Green Alert: Unique
blends of coffee and green tea. Snotbot-help Patrick Stewart fund whale research with drones.
Technology- Fire starter survival bracelet/carabiner paracord keychain, My TransHealth: A health
care website for the trans community.
Theater- Hamlet –the Hip-Hopera, The 24 hour Theater Challenge-Halloween special.
Events-Paleo to you-Conference 2016, Cornwall Area pop event.
These are all real projects-see kickstarter.com for more.
** In addition to the appropriate topic, the project selection must 1) be something that can be
shared with others, 2) must be honest and clearly represented, for example if your project involves
something like a gaget, you must have a prototype,
No no List topics:
-Yourself-don’t ask us for money because you need to fund your college, your drinking habit or
your fast food addition.
-Charity for your friend or family member.
-anything to do with religion, you can’t use the Bible or any other religious documents as
references.
For more information: https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics?ref=footer
-Snake oil or a cure all medication including marijuana
-energy drinks
-Genetically modified food or animals
-hate speech
-political fundraising
-weapons
The Limits: You will have between 6and 8 minutes. If you speak for less than 6 minutes or more than 8
minutes, your grade will be penalized.
Attire: Business Casual
Special Requirements: In this speech you must use at least 1 visual aid. It can be an overhead, a poster or a
Power Point slides, Prezi, or any other form of visual aids as described in your book. Be sure that it illustrates a
key point in your speech. The images and text must be large enough to read at the back of the room. Your visual
aid must be integrated into your speech. It is insufficient to hold it up at the end of your speech and say, “Oh
yeah here is my visual aid.” If your visual aid requires technology, you must provide your computer/laptop etc.
You are also responsible for making sure your computer is compatible ahead of time with the classroom
technology. What I’m looking for in your visual aid-graphs and that you know how to properly incorporate
visual aids into your presentation. – 14 points if you don’t have a visual aid.
Extra credit: +7 for going to Speaking Center. The Speaking Center is located in the Library. ATTN: You
only get extra credit if you spend minimum 45 minute session with a tutor. Also, this meeting CAN NOT be
on the day of your speech. It must be in advance (at least 1 day prior) in order to get extra credit. If you go to
the speaking center on the day of your speech, you will not receive credit. Although multiple sessions with a
tutor can improve your speech and delivery, you will only receive 7 points.
MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT IN ADVANCE!!! The Speaking Center’s calendar fills up quickly You can
call, or walk in to make an appointment. Go to https://www.usm.edu/speaking-center/make-appointment to
book online.
Every document you turn into me must be 12 point, Times New Roman. If your outline does not
look like the one below-14.
Your Name
CMS 111
Cline
Due Date
Your Speech Title
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about some of the major uses of hypnosis.
Central Idea: You should fund this (insert project name) because (insert how it will benefit
us and the community).
Introduction: (Write this out word for word in full sentences)
State central idea and purpose, introduce topic.
Establish Credibility:
Preview Main Points (this is your transition):
For more information: https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics?ref=footer
Body: (Make sure you use full sentences for main points, supporting points, sub-supporting
points, and transitions. If you use a signpost, see the example below).
I. Main Point(typically have 2-3 main points). ABOUT THIS PROJECT.
a. Supporting Point
i. Sub-supporting point “My name is and I am the creator of ____”
ii. Sub-supporting point (Creator bio).
Transition:
II. Main Point (The Pitch)
a. Supporting Point
i. Sub-supporting point
ii. Sub-supporting point (funding goal)
Transition: The final point…
III. Main Point
a. Supporting Point
i. Sub-supporting point(Why should we care?)
ii. Sub-supporting point (What are the rewards?) From kickstarter.com,
funders get a look at the creative process. Tell the backers that you will
continually update them on the progress of the project.
Transition:
Conclusion: (Write out word for word. Summarize your main points and end with a strong
closing statement).
For more information: https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter+basics?ref=footer