STRC 1111
Speech 3: Informative Speech
Purpose: The purpose of this third speaking assignment is to: (1) provide the general background
information necessary for your audience to understand your term topic, (2) manage the amount and detail
of the information provided while meeting the time requirement, (3) improve your organizational and
delivery skills.
General Expectations
1. Your speech should be 6 to 8 ½ minutes long.
On the day of your presentation, you will need to provide your instructor with
a. an evaluation form (print from Blackboard).
b. an outline of your presentation.
c. a reference page.
d. a copy of your PowerPoint slides (please print as a “handout”.)
2. There is a sample outline on Blackboard (under “Assignments”—Speech 3: Informative).
3. There is a blank outline template (Word file) on Blackboard (under “Assignments”—Speech 3:
Informative).
4. Your attire should be “business casual.”
5. At the end of every presentation, audience members will have the opportunity to offer
constructive feedback to the speaker concerning her or his organization, content, and delivery.
After this presentation, the audience will also be asked to generate questions about the
information provided during the speaker’s presentations.
6. This assignment is worth ______ total points (your outline and reference page are worth ______
points and your presentation is worth ______ points).
Outline Criteria
1. You must complete an outline that is structured around an introduction, body, and conclusion.
a. You must include your main/sub-points, citations, written transitions, and when you will be
using your visual aids.
b. It must be in full sentences, not words or sentence fragments.
c. The outline must be (1) typed, and (2) submitted on the day of your speech.
2. If you do not have an outline for instructor at the time of your speech, there is a ______ point
deduction from your total score.
3. Your reference page is not a copy of your annotated bibliography. Your reference page should
only list the resources used to construct this presentation (including your visual aids).
Organization Criteria
1. The introduction should include: (a) an attention-gaining device (b) a rational for the audience to
care about your term topic (in short, “Why is this topic relevant to this audience?”), (c) brief
overview of why you are a credible person to speak on this topic, and (d) a preview your main
points.
2. The body should be structured around three to four main points.
a. Since many audience members may not be familiar with your topic or the controversy/issue,
you may consider making one of your main points an overview the controversy (the key
players, key issues, etc.)
b. The most common approaches to structuring the body of an informative speech are:
chronological, topical, and spatial.
3. The conclusion of the presentation should: (a) provide a review of the main points and (b) wrap
up the speech with a memorable question, quote, statistic etc. that either emphasizes the relevance
of your topic or alludes to your next presentation. Give the audience something to think about!
Content Criteria
1. Since this is the first of three presentations on your term topic, this speech should provide an
overview of your term topic and the public policy controversy.
2. Your information should consist of relatively non-controversial facts and explanations:
facts that all sides of the debate over your term topic acknowledge. You are providing an
overview not arguing for a particular position or side. For example, you can provide some
historically information about your topic, list and overview important terms or concepts,
describe any important processes or procedures, review the relevant laws or legislation,
discuss the key people or organizations, outline the points of conflict between the various
sides, etc.
3. Using your annotated bibliography as a resource, you should use a variety of types of information
to support each main point (statistical/numerical, quotes, stories, examples, processes, etc.).
a. You must verbally cite or reference all of the sources you used to prepare your
presentation. The audience does not know the source of your information so you must
tell them. If it is on your reference page, it should be cited in your speech.
b. You must use at least five sources from your annotated bibliography.
4. You must use at least one visual aid that helps the audience better understanding the
information you are presenting. A title page or a list of sources in and of themselves do
not help make your topic any easier to understand.
Delivery Criteria
1. The overall tone of your presentation should be neutral/objective since you are not advocating for
a specific side, position, or policy (at this point in the semester). This does not mean that your
delivery is supposed to be dull, boring, or lifeless.
2. Your mode of delivery should be extemporaneous. You may use 3-5 standard size note cards to
aid you in your delivery or an electronic device.
3. In this presentation, you want to build on the delivery skills introduce in Speech 2 (voice
projection, making consistent eye contact, vocal expression, and maintaining an appropriate rate).
In addition, you will be evaluated on your use of the performance space, articulation, timed
pauses and limiting fillers.
4. In addition, but not as importantly, you should begin to use paralinguistics for emphasis and
practice “open” body language.
5. There is a standard grade penalty for not meeting or exceeding the time limit (1 point from your
total score for every 10 seconds under or over).
6. You will be evaluated on how you present your visual aids.
The instructor reserves the right to amend these criteria as necessary.