Informative Speeches
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Picking a topic
Audience Analysis
Brainstorming
Outlines
What designs to use
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Preparation checklist
Speech Rubric
Tips and tricks
Sources & References
Being the audience
Evaluations
Picking a Topic
There are many topics to choose from. Your best speech will always
come from a subject area that you know well. This could be in the
form of recreational activities, hobbies, or areas of interest. Below is
a list of topics to get an idea from.
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Movies
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hockey
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Olympics
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dirt bike racing
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games
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board games
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Planets
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roller coasters
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Astronomy
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homeless
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Biology
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Obama
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Drawing
– Columbine
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Art
– Disease
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Musical instruments – favorite book
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fossil collecting
– Model cars
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Comic books
– Horses
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Anamie
– Dance
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Aliens
– Internet
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Cats
– Low Riders
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PS3
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Bikes
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Wii
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Fossils
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Acting
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Geology
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Karate
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Outer space
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Roller blades
– Swimming
– Sharks
fashion
– Golf
– Models
– W.W.II
– NBA history
– Fishing
– Paintball
– Diamonds
– Welding
– WNBA
– Racing bikes
Cheer competition
– Phone history
– Einstein
– Meteorology
Topics
Audience Analysis
Topic________________________________________________________
Audience_____________________________________________________
Factor description
Adaptations needed
Time _________________________ __________________________
Place _________________________ ___________________________
Occasion ______________________ ___________________________
Audience Size __________________ ____________________________
Context ________________________ ____________________________
Age ___________________________
Gender ________________________ ____________________________
Education ______________________ ____________________________
Audience Analysis Cont’d
Group Affiliations: _______________ ____________________________
Sociocultural Background: ________ ____________________________
Interest in Topic _________________ ____________________________
Knowledge of Topic ______________ ____________________________
Attitude re Topic _________________ ____________________________
Values re Topic___________________ ____________________________
Motivational Appeals ____________ ____________________________
Brainstorming
Definition: Brainstorming is the process using one subject and breaking
it down into more specific subjects.
Example:
Subject = Dogs
More specific = Labrador
Collie
Cocker spaniel
German Shepherd
Dalmatian
Bulldog
Brainstorm – Cont’d
Dogs
labrador
Cocker Spaniel
uses
good family pet
Police
Uses
hunting
Collie
Types
Lassie
Outlines
Take the format that you created the brainstorm and in order make an
outline.
Subject – Dogs
I.
Labradors
A. Uses
1. Family
a. Good with young children
2. Police
a. Can smell and search for drugs
3. Hunting
a. Hair is slick for water fowl
II.
Collie
A. Uses
Design Methods
Design
Spatial
Use When
Your topic can be discussed by how it is positioned in a physical setting or
natural environment. It allows you to take your audience on an orderly
"oral tour" of your topic as you move from place to place.
Sequential
Your topic can be arranged in a time sequence. It is useful for describing a
process as a series of steps or explaining a subject as a series of historical
landmark developments. Useful for presenting a plan of action in
persuasive speeches.
Categorical
Your topic has natural or customary divisions. Each category becomes a
main point for development. Useful when you need to organize large
amounts of material. Useful in persuasive speeches to demonstrate that a plan
will be safe, inexpensive, and effective, or to organize causes and
consequences.
Design Methods
Design
When to Use
Comparative
Your topic is new to your audience, abstract, technical, or simply difficult
to comprehend. Helps make material more meaningful by comparing or
contrasting it with something the audience already knows and understands.
Useful in persuasive speeches when you want to demonstrate why your
proposal is superior to another. Especially good for speeches in which you
contend with opposing views.
Causation
Your topic involves a situation, condition, or event that is best understood
in terms of its underlying causes. May also be used to predict the future
from existing conditions. Useful in persuasive speeches for discussing the
causes and consequences of a problem.
Problem-solution
Your topic presents a problem that needs to be solved and a solution that will
solve it. Good both for speeches involving attitudes and urging action.
Design Methods
Design
Stock Issues
When to use
Your topic is one about which reasonable listeners might have questions they
want answered before accepting your proposal.
Motivated Sequence
Your topic calls for action as the final phase of a five-step process that also
involves, in order, arousing attention, demonstrating need, satisfying need,
picturing the results, and calling for action.
Refutative
You must answer strong opposition on a topic before you can establish your
position. The major opposing claims become main points for development.
Attack weakest points first and avoid personal attacks.
Preparation Checklist
Phase I
____ Select your topic: focus on something that can be handled within the time constraints of your
assignment and the time needed for preparation.
____ Determine your purpose for speaking. Think clearly about what you want to accomplish
with your presentation.
____ Analyze your audience and speaking situation.
____ Review your purpose in terms of how it fits with your specific audience and speaking
situation.
____ Reconsider your topic in light of audience and situational factors and your
purpose for speaking.
____ Begin researching your topic. If necessary, refocus your topic and adjust your purpose in
light of your research.
Preparation Checklist
Phase II
____ Develop a preparation outline of the body of your speech.
____ Check the adequacy of your research in terms of responsible knowledge and
sufficient
supporting material. Do additional research as needed.
____ Check the organization of your main ideas. Do they flow smoothly? Is the
speech easy to follow?
____ Write an introduction for your speech.
____ Develop a conclusion for your speech.
____ Prepare a formal outline which includes transitions and “Works Consulted.”
____ Prepare a key-word outline.
____ Practice your presentation.
Speech Rubric
Overall Considerations
____ Did the speaker seem committed to the topic?
____ Did the speech meet the requirements of the assignment?
____ Was the speech adapted to fit the audience?
____ Did the speech promote identification among topic, audience, and speaker?
____ Was the purpose of the speech clear?
____ Was the topic handled with imagination and freshness?
____ Did the speech meet high ethical standards?
Speech Rubric
Substance
____ Was the topic worthwhile?
____ Had the speaker done sufficient research?
____ Were the main ideas supported with reliable and relevant information?
____ Was testimony used appropriately?
____ Were the sources documented appropriately?
____ Were examples or narratives used effectively?
____ Was the reasoning clear and correct?
Speech Rubric
Structure
____ Did the introduction spark your interest?
____ Did the introduction adequately preview the message?
____ Was the speech easy to follow?
____ Could you identify the main points of the speech?
____ Were transitions used to tie the speech together?
____ Did the conclusion summarize the message?
____ Did the conclusion help you remember the speech?
Speech Rubric
Presentation
____ Was the language clear, simple and direct?
____ Was the language colorful?
____ Were grammar and pronunciations correct?
____ Was the speech presented extemporaneously?
____ Were notes used unobtrusively?
____ Was the speaker appropriately enthusiastic?
____ Did the speaker maintain good eye contact?
____ Did gestures and body language complement ideas?
____ Was the speaker's voice expressive?
____ Were the rate and loudness appropriate to the material?
____ Did the speaker uses pauses appropriately?
____ Did visual aids make the message clearer or more memorable?
____ Were visual aids skillfully integrated into the speech?
____ Was the presentation free from distracting mannerisms?
Tips and Tricks
Try to avoid these things:
Playing with clothes and hair
jingly jewelry
Jogging suit material
Change in your pockets
Uncomfortable clothes
Don’t look up in your head when trying to remember something
Look at the back wall
Dance around with your feet
Pace back and forth
Tips and Tricks
Do these things:
Meditate
Practice your speech in front of a mirror
Read it!!!!
Practice practice practice
Don’t memorize completely…we will be able to tell
Do memorize your outline
Stay calm
Come to me for help
Rubber band around your wrist if you are really nervous
You MUST MUST MUST cite your sources!
Example: You are researching over how to ride a bike
You find an article in Time magazine over bicycle safety.
The Magazine states Vol. 25 number #4 , February 12, 1999. This is the issue.
Sources
This is how you should state this information: According to Time Magazine - February 12, 99, it
states that…….
Transition words that will let the audience know you have another source includes the following:
According to
(Author’s name) writes
In Time magazine
________ states that
_________ agrees with
The reason why you have sources is so that somebody can back up your opinion. You wouldn’t go to
war by yourself would you??????
Being in the Audience
The audience needs to have proper etiquette towards the speaker. In class the audience must be
supportive especially when we are going to be performing in front of each other.
Never talk or be writing during a speech, it is very rude. Your attention should be focused on the
speaker.
Please clap after every performance. Don’t over or under clap. Be appropriate!
You would hate it if someone in the audience treated you poorly.