Name _____________________________
The Informative Speech- Overview
Purpose: to give new knowledge, to explain, or provide more in-depth information on a
particular topic to your audience
Requirements:
 Length: 3-5 minutes
 Topic: Student-selected living person of courage
 Delivery: by detailed phrase outline (2-4 pages)
Written Work:

Speech phrase outline (No outline = No speech = F)

Sources Consulted List (minimum 3 sources, and 1 non-Internet)

Various “checkpoints” along the way (topic, thesis, outline draft)
Grading:
The Speech – 60 points


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The Written Work (Outline, research, drafts) – 20 points
Speech Delivery (eye contact, voice, posture) – 20 points
Speech Content (Intro, Information, Conclusion, Citations) – 20 points
So, you’ve been asked to give a speech…

Determine your topic.

Narrow your topic and develop a thesis.

Research your topic using a variety of credible sources.
o Books, mags, Internet, databases, interviews, and more!

Write a PHRASE outline.

Deliver the speech.
Determining the Topic
Start with yourself. What do you know? What do you enjoy? Who would you like to learn more about?
If YOU don’t care about the topic, WE probably won’t care either because YOU won’t seem interested
in what you’re teaching us.
Due _______________
Step One: Create a general brainstorm web of areas you are interested on a piece of paper.
Let your classmates add possible topics.
Narrowing your Topic
No matter what your topic or the type of speech, you want to be sure that your topic fits the time
frame. Below you will see advice on how to NARROW your selected topic into a well-developed slice
that you can handle in 3-5 minutes.
How to create a thesis from different beginning points
Speeches about objects focus on things or people existing in the world. Objects include, among other
things, people, places, animals, or products.

Lance Armstrong to Lance Armstrong’s battled against cancer to regain his dominance in
competitive cycling.
Speeches about processes focus on patterns of action.

From cooking Indian food to Madhar Jaffrey succeeded in transforming herself from an
Indian actress to a serious expert and author on Indian cuisine.
Speeches about events focus on things that happened, are happening, or will happen.

From civil rights movement to Sompop Jantraka risked his own life to work toward ending
the Asian sex slavery trade.
Speeches about concepts focus on beliefs, ideas, and theories. How to narrow your informative
speech about concepts:

From women in politics to Hillary Clinton overcame sexism and rose to U.S. Secretary of
State.
Due ___________
Step Two: Using your brainstorm web, begin research on one of your possible topics. After
getting approval for your topic, write a one-sentence thesis statement that explains WHO
your topic is and WHY you think that person is courageous. Write your thesis below.
Thesis:
____________
Teacher Initials
Researching Your Topic
You need at least 3 credible sources and at least one must NOT be from the Internet
Source possibilities
 Internet
 Databases
 Books- biographies, books on the topic, anthologies, encyclopedias
 Personal Interviews
 Periodicals- magazines, journals, newspapers
 Film/Video
Taking Notes:
Use paper or notecards to write notes in YOUR OWN WORDS to avoid any possibility of plagiarism.
Quote carefully if you plan to quote a cited source. Keep careful track of your sources in correct MLA
format as you go. You will have to turn in your notes to show evidence of your work.
Due _______________
Step Three: Show your research notes with MLA sources
Writing Your Speech Outline
The outline form for a speech should be just like the Harvard phrase outlines we did at the beginning
of the year. In a way we’re ending where we began! There are always three Roman numerals.
I. Introduction- This is written out and memorized in the form of a paragraph
with your hook and your thesis and the personal connection that explains why you chose this
topic
II. Bodythis will be the long one with the information
just use phrases and DON’T READ IT
use this to remind you of what you want to say
III. Conclusion- Also, written out and memorized
summarize and tie it together
Sample Outline
Billie Holiday
I. Introduction- A black and white photo of a face in one-quarter profile with an exotic white
flower. This is the picture on a record that I remember from growing up. My dad played that
record when I was little. Later, I learned more about the woman on the cover of that album. I
admire Billie Holliday because of her courageous music and the part she played in civil rights.
II. Body
A. Born Elinore Harris in 1915, Early life had difficulty
1. Didn’t know her father
2. Mother was rejected by her parents when she got pregnant
3. Raised by a half sister’s mother-in-law
4. Went to juvenile court for truancy
5. Worked as a prostitute when a teen
[Transition: She was able to channel her tough early life into her career as a singer]
B. Uses her pain to create new style of singing
1. Starts by singing in the brothel
2. Gets a job in early jazz clubs and is recognized for a more emotional personal
style
3. Can improvise well in new early swing style
[Transition: Her emotional singing style was perfect for more a more serious and slower style that
became popular. ]
C. Becomes active in choosing her music
1. With her musicians she took light pop songs and made them into jazz classics
2. Introduced to “Strange Fruit” and began to sing it regularly
3. Her accompanist is worried that she will be attacked for singing it
4. Performing it, usually made her cry
[Transition: The song becomes popular because of its music and its message.]
D. “Strange Fruit”
1. Spread as a theme song against lynching
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
People who didn’t know about lynching learned about it from this song
Columbia Records refuses to record it, too controversial
Recorded on Vocalion label in 1939
Fueled the anti-lynching movement
New York Post, "If the anger of the exploited ever mounts high enough in the
South, it now has its 'Marseillaise'."
[Transition to conclusion: Holliday’s courage to perform serious music with a message had an
effect on the world .]
III. Conclusion- Because Billie Holliday had the courage to sing about the cruelty of
discrimination, the song “Strange Fruit” became a force in ending that discrimination. Now when I
see that unmistakable face with that signature white gardenia, I think about her courage along
with her voice. She risked her own safety and her music career to sing and record the song that
made that change. She had a hard life, and a sad ending, but she was also a contributing force in
calling attention to the horrifying practice of lynching.
Sources Consulted
“Biography.” Billie Holiday: The Official Site of Lady Day. 28 Jan 2010. 31 May 2011.
<http://www.billieholiday.com/about/biography.htm>
Margolick, David and Hilton Als. Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday, Café Society and an Early Cry for
Civil Rights. Running Press, 2000.
“Strange Fruit.” Wikipedia. 25 May 2011. 31 May 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Fruit>
Strange Fruit. Joel Katz. Film. Independent Lens, 2002.
Due _______________
Step Four: Write a phrase outline of your speech, including the Sources Consulted list. Use
the Shorewood MLA format sheets to guide correct form.
Delivering the Speech
Contrary to evidence from watching political speeches, a good speech should not be read. You don’t
have a fancy teleprompter! Ask any businessperson you know. A really good speech is spoken into
the eyes of the speaker’s audience. It shows preparation, but except for the beginning and end, it is
not memorized and it is personal. Use your outline to help you stay on track, but you should be so
familiar with the topic that you can just talk without planning every word.
Rehearse your speech first by yourself, using your hand to keep track of where you are in the outline.
Then rehearse in front of people to help you get used to being nervous and check your timing.
Due _______________
Step Five: Be ready to speak your speech! Use the scoring guide to help you.
INFORMATIVE SPEECH SCORING GUIDE
Speaker _________________________________________
Total Points:
per. ______
Categories
Below Standard
Meets Standard
Exceeds Standards
CONTENT
40pts
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction




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Irrelevant or no introduction
Unclear of off topic thesis
No clear connection to
speaker
Conclusion
Conclusion


Adequate summary


Connects to thesis

Confusing or inadequate
summary
Abrupt or no conclusion
Brief summary of most
significant points
Ends by connecting to intro;
leaves audience thinking
Content/Organization
Content/Organization
Content/Organization


Thesis clear but not consistent
throughout the speech


Understandable sequencing
that doesn’t clearly support
the thesis
Some specific examples,
anecdotes, analogies, figures,
facts to clarify and explain
Within the time limit. or
slightly under/over




Thesis nonexistent, too broad
or unclear
No recognizable organization
Inadequate examples,
anecdotes, analogies, figures,
facts to clarify and explain
More than 30” under or over
the time limit





Thesis focused, clear and
consistent throughout the
speech
Logical sequencing that
supports the thesis
Sources cited as appropriate
Specific, descriptive examples,
anecdotes, analogies, figures,
facts to clarify and explain
Within the time limit
Voice
Voice
Voice

Projection inadequate




Articulation unclear
Little or no vocal variety of
pause, pitch and rate;
distracting fillers


Body Language
 Eye contact rare and reading
from notes
 Posture closed with distracting
nervous movement or gestures

OUTLINE
20pts
Attention-getting
Clear & engaging thesis
Shows engaging connection to
speaker
Conclusion

DELIVERY
40pts
Relevant, not attention-getting
Clear thesis
Shows connection to speaker
Facial expression and gestures
distracting or nonexistent
Some errors in format.
Some errors in MLA citations.
Min. of three resources.
Disorganized and/or general
less than 2 pages
Projection usually adequate
and appropriate for space
Articulation understandable
Vocal variety of pause, pitch
and rate; some fillers
Body Language
 Eye contact frequent, with
some note reading
 Posture confident with
occasional nervous movement
or gestures
 Some expression or gestures
support points
Projection consistently strong
and appropriate for space
 Articulation crisp and clear
 Vocal variety of pause, pitch
and rate emphasizes major
points; limited fillers (uh...)
Body Language
 Eye contact consistent,
occasionally glancing at notes
 Posture confident without
nervous movement or gestures
 Facial expression and gestures
emphasize important points
and convey enthusiasm
Mostly correct format.
Few errors in MLA citations.
Min. of three resources.
Organized, detailed, shows
research.
2-4 pages
Correct format.
No errors in MLA citations.
Min. of three resources.
Strong organization and excellent
use of research.
2-4 pages (double-spaced)