Name: __________________
Period: ______
Informative Speech Assignment
Topic 1: If I were principal…
Imagine that you are principal. What policies would you change? Is there something at the school that you
would like to see done differently? For this assignment, you will be delivering a 3-5 minute rehearsed,
informative speech. During the speech, you will choose 3 aspects of school or 3 school policies you would
change if you were the principal. You should think VERY CAREFULLY about the choices you make in this
speech. Obviously, your choices should be school appropriate, legal and something that could actually happen
(For example, you cannot say that you would abolish school altogether, require no more assignments, or that
students could come to school from 10-2 with an hour-long lunch). This is a great opportunity for you to
address, in a serious forum, things that you really disagree with at school. If, at any point during your speech,
you start to make a point that is obviously inappropriate, you will be stopped immediately and will
receive a zero for this assignment.
Topic 2: My hero…
Think of a real-life person (not Sponge Bob, Spiderman, Superwoman, etc.) who you believe to be a hero. What
have they done to make them your hero? How have they helped the world around them? Your choice should be
school appropriate. Your hero may be someone famous, related to you, someone you have met, or someone you
just admire. For this assignment, you will be delivering a 3-5 minute rehearsed informative speech. During the
speech, you will choose 3 reasons why you believe the person you have chosen to be a hero. Each point should
be well-developed and explained thoroughly.
Delivery: Extemporaneous (rehearsed, not memorized) delivery with key word outlines on note cards. No more
than 3 (standard size) note cards. I will look at your note cards, so do not write out your speech word-for-word
on the cards or memorize. These notes are used to prompt, not as a manuscript.
Grades:
1. Topic Selection: DAILY GRADE
You must inform me of your topic by the end of our first day.
2. Outline: TWO DAILY GRADES You must have a TYPED outline for this assignment. I will give you
an outline template that you should follow. The outline is due the day that speeches are due – no exceptions.
3. Speech: MAJOR GRADE Upon completion of the speech outline and preparation, you will be delivering
your speech in class. You will use note cards described above for this delivery. In most classes, speeches will
require two class days so all students can have time to deliver their speeches. You MUST have your speech
ready to go on the FIRST DAY – I will randomly assign order and you must be ready to go when I call on you.
Late speeches will be 15 points off for the first day late, 30 points for the second day, and a 0 for any speech not
given by the second day.
4. Note cards: DAILY GRADE You will present your note cards to me the day that speeches are due. If they
are formatted as indicated above and demonstrated in class, then you will receive a 100.
5. Self Assessment: MAJOR GRADE After you have given your speech, you will complete a self-assessment
of your speech. This assessment will be used as a tool to help you explore both the positive and negative aspects
of your speech in order to improve for the next speech. These self-assessments will be handed in one class
period after your speech and will count as a MAJOR grade.
6. Peer Notes: 10 BONUS POINTS You will take notes on each of the speeches presented in class. For each
student, you must write down the topic of their speech, along with their three main points and a comment about
each speech.