Informative Speech Unit
Sophomore English Honors - Wathen
Informative Speaking
Speech Guidelines
During this unit you will study the method for
preparing and delivering an informative
speech. Informative speeches have two goals:
1) helping the audience understand
2) helping the audience remember
A speech to inform is just that, to provide
information. Its purpose is not to persuade.
Time: 6-8 minutes. You have a 30 second grace
period on either end of the time limit. If you go
under or over that time, points will be deducted.
Choosing a Topic
1) Brainstorm topics that interest you.
Topics: must be approved
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.
Late Penalties: Failure to give a speech on the
2) Analyze each topic to see which one would day assigned will result in the dropping of one
work best. Consider the following:
letter grade for each day it is late. Failure to turn
in the final outline on the day of the speech will
- How much do you know about the topic?
result in the same penalty.
- How much does your audience know?
- How interested in this topic would your
Visual Aids: Required - must be able to give the
audience be?
speech without the visual if necessary.
- Is this topic too complex or too simple?
- Is this topic researchable?
Enthusiasm: Required
3) Once you have chosen your topic, limit it so that Appearance: Formal
it can be fully developed in the time allotted.
4) Write a purpose statement that identifies what Unit Materials
your goal in speaking is. Look on pages 148 in • note cards
your speech book for information on how to write • manila envelope - 8 1/2 x 11
• Writing Correctly manual
a specific purpose statement.
Process for Preparing Speech
1. Choose topic - topic must be researchable,
suitable for the audience, and manageable
with the time constraints.
2. Research the topic - write note cards using
bibliographic format from Writing Correctly.
3. Build an outline - rough draft and final draft
in full sentence.
4. Practice the speech - develop extemporaneous
style.
Table of Contents
Page
Choosing Topics...................................# 1
Researching...........................................# 2
Building an Outline.............................. # 2
Sample Topics.......................................# 2
Preparation Outline............................ .# 3
Speaking Outline...................................# 3
Stage fright.............................................#4
2
Researching
A good informative speech must not depend on
just the knowledge that you have from personal
experience. You need independent verification
of what you know. Acquiring this independent
verification involves research. Information can
be found from a variety of sources.
1) newspapers
2) magazines
3) books
4) encyclopedias
5) yearbooks (Almanac)
6) electronic databases
• E Library - full-text articles
• Proquest - 27 major national papers
• EbscoHost - periodical database
• SIRS - articles in science and humanities
• Historical Newspaper - archive newspapers
• CQ Researcher - controversial issues
• FACTS.COM
As you research you will keep track of your
notes by using research note cards. The format
for this process can be found in your Writing
Correctly manual. You must turn in 25 research
note cards and 5 bibliography cards at the end
of your initial research period. You will
acquire more research note cards, but you must
have at least 25 to turn in initially. You must
use at least five different sources and none of
those can be an encyclopedia.
Please use
encyclopedias for background information and
as a way to jump start your research.
Sample Topics
History of the Milwaukee Brewers
Astrology
History of Downhill Skiing
History of East Coast Rap
History of the Internet
American Sign Language
Alzheimer’s Disease
Dreams
Halloween
Aliens - UFO’s
Genetic Engineering
Subliminal Messages
Walt Disney - the man
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Anorexia Nervosa
Jackie Kennedy
Stock Market
Acupuncture
Artificial Intelligence
Reincarnation
Space Exploration
Web sites with sample topics
http://www.abacon.com/pubspeak/assess/topic.html
http://www.ukans.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vpa/vpa/html
http://www.researchpaper.com/directory.html
Building an Outline
Astronomy
History
MATHEMATICS
The Civil War
When preparing speeches, there are two kinds
of outlines to work with - preparation outline
and speaking outline. The preparation outline
will be detailed and will be used as you prepare
the speech. The speaking outline will be very
brief and will be used while the speech is given.
Preparation Outline (see sample pg. 3)
- should be full sentence
- specific purpose and thesis statement
should be written at the top.
Speaking Outline (see sample pg. 3)
- maintain outline format
- uses words and phrases
- makes marks indicating delivery style
Continued on Page 3
3
Preparation Outline
II. Over the years, people have tried many remedies to
combat the common cold.
A. In previous centuries people used all sorts of
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the origins
bizarre - and sometimes dangerous - remedies.
and treatments of the common cold.
1. Bleeding the patient by taking out a
pint of blood - supposedly to remove the
Thesis: The common cold is a viral infection with symptoms
infection.
that can be treated but not cured.
2. Saturating a piece of flannel with foulsmelling salve and wrapping it around
Introduction:
the patient’s neck.
B.
The
traditional
modern therapy - get plenty of
I. What is the most common human ailment in the world?
rest,
take
aspirin,
and
drink lots of liquid - is still
II. If you answer, “the common cold” you are right.
the
best.
III. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, most adults
1. Rest gives your body a chance to fight
average two to three colds each year.
the virus.
IV. The common cold is a viral infection with symptoms that
2. Aspirin reduces pain and fever.
can be treated but not cured.
(Internal
Summary:
In short, there is no magic cure for the
V. Today I would like to answer two questions:
common
cold.
The
best
remedy is still rest, aspirin and
A. What exactly is a cold?
fluids.)
B. What is the best thing to do when you get one?
Conclusion:
(Transition: Let’s start with the first question - what
I. People have been putting up with colds ever since Adam
exactly is a cold?)
or Eve were thrown out of their virus-free paradise.
II. I hope you have a better idea of just what a cold is and
I. The common cold is a viral infection of the upper
what you should do if you get one.
respiratory system.
A. It is important to stress that the cold is a viral
infections.
1. It can be caused by over 100 different
viruses.
2. It is not caused by chill or dampness.
B. The symptoms of a cold are distressingly
familiar.
1. Dry, scratchy , tingling sensation in nose
or throat - first sign that mucous
membranes are starting to swell with viral
growth.
2. Body temperature drops - sometimes
causing chills.
C. One reason we catch so many colds is that the
cold virus is highly communicable.
1. Usually spread by sneezing or coughing.
2. Also spread by contact with the skin.
a. Dr. J. O. Hendly, University of
VA Medical School, says a cold
virus can survive on the skin for 6
hours.
b. I f a cold sufferer coughs behind
his or her hand and then touches a
doorknob or water faucet, the virus
is deposited there.
i. The next person who
touches that spot wipes
off the virus
ii. The person can become
infected through rubbing
the eyes or nose.
(Transition: So you are bound to catch a cold. What is the
best thing to do when you catch one”)
Speaking Outline
I. Most common human ailment
II. Common cold universal
III. U.S. Health Service: 2-3/yr.
IV. Today - “What is...”
“What to do...?”
I. Viral infection of upper respiratory system.
A. Stress viral infection
B. Symptoms
1. Dry nose or throat
2. Temperature-chills
C. Highly contagious
1. Sneeze or cough
2. Skin
a. J.O. Hendly, U of Va, 6
hrs.
b. Example - faucet/doorknob
(So BOUND to catch. What then?)
II. Many remedies over the years
A. Olden times
1. Bleeding
2. Salve
B. Traditional modern therapy best
1. Rest
2. Aspirin
I. Adam and Eve
II. I hope you have better idea...
4
Stage fright!!!!!!!
What is it?
A fear of the unknown - when you get up to
speak, you do not know what will happen. It is
natural and common.
11 hidden causes of public speaking stress. Dr.
Morton C. Orman
1. Thinking that public speaking is inherently stressful
(it isn’t)
2. Thinking you need to be brilliant or perfect. (you don’t)
3. Trying to impart too much in a short time.
4. Having the wrong purpose in mind.
5. Trying to please everyone.
6. Trying to emulate other speakers instead of being
yourself.
7. Failing to be personally revealing and humble.
8. Being fearful of potential negative outcomes.
9. Trying to control the wrong things - behavior of
audience.
10. Spending too much time preparing.
11. Thinking your audience will be as critical of your
performance as you might be.
Managing the symptoms of stage fright
Marjorie Brody - Speaking is an AudienceCentered Sport.
If your mouth gets dry,
•drink room-temperature water. Don’t drink milk
products, alcoholic beverages, caffeine or sugar.
• Lightly coat your teeth with Vaseline - it keeps your
lips from sticking together.
• Bite the tip of your tongue - it helps you salivate
If you tend to sweat under pressure,
• Apply talcum powder or cornstarch to hands and body
before presenting.
• Carry a handkerchief
If you get red splotches on your face,
• Wear red or pink colors
• Wear blouses with high necklines if you are a woman
If your voice gets shaky,
• Project your voice to the back row of the audience
The butterflies never go away - they just
learn to fly in formation.
From Nervous to Natural - 6 steps to success
Tony Jeary Inspire Any Audience
1. Know what you are talking about.
2. Be yourself.
3. Psyche yourself up.
4. Work with your body - deep breaths and stretching.
5. Bond with your audience - find friendly faces.
6. Get a good night’s sleep.
If your hands get shaky,
• Remember to gesture
If your legs get wobbly or your knees knock,
• Move around
If your heart is pounding,
• Take a few deep breaths