CMS 111H: Dr. Atkins-Sayre
Informative speech assignment
Many of the presentations that you will give in future classes (and beyond) involve sharing information with an
audience. The purpose of this assignment is to give you experience taking a large amount of information and
narrowing it down, organizing it, and adapting it to your audience.
Specifically, this speech will require you to research a historical civil rights movement topic. Select a historical
figure, event, or concept to focus on in your speech. Given a general audience—but one who is studying this
movement along with you—focus on explaining the most important aspects of this person/concept.
Due date:
Speech due: Thursday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 11
Self-evaluation due: October 18
Specifics:
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Time limit: 6-7 minutes
Topic submission: I would prefer to avoid topic repetition. For this reason, you will submit your topic
via Blackboard (a discussion thread will be opened for each speech).
Be creative when choosing your speech topics. Keep your audience’s background and interests in
mind. Of course, you should also choose topics that interest you. The more creative you are with your
topic and the development of the presentation, the more interesting the presentation will be.
Audience: Assume a general audience—your actual classmates. When planning, researching, and
delivering the speech, make sure that you are completely focused on the people who will be listening
to the presentation.
Source requirements: Use a minimum of 3 credible sources. The sources should be cited in the speech
outline, on the reference page, and orally.
Speaking date and order: Check the syllabus for speech dates. We will generally speak over 2 days. I
will ask for volunteers for the first day. After that, I will randomly sign individuals up for speaking
dates. The speaking order will be decided on the speech day.
o Make up speeches: Please note that make-up speeches are very disruptive to the class.
Because late presentations take away from class time (thus inconveniencing the teacher and
your classmates), make-up speeches are only allowed in emergency situations and if we make
an agreement ahead of time. If you are ill, you should make every effort to show up to present
your speech and, if necessary, leave class early. Being unprepared does not excuse you from
speaking. All unapproved missed speeches will be given a grade of zero.
Speaking Center: You are required to schedule at least one appointment with the Speaking Center for
this assignment. The appointment must be scheduled for no later than the day before you speak. You
may use that time to brainstorm, research, outline, develop, or practice the speech with a tutor. You
must, however, come to the appointment with something prepared. Notification of your appointment
should be sent to me (ask the Speaking Center tutor to do so). To schedule an appointment, visit the
Speaking Center web site: http://www.usm.edu/speakingcenter
General purpose: Remember that this speech is about informing, not persuading. As such, you
shouldn’t try to change people’s minds or actions. Try to leave persuasive language out of the speech.
Content: Although the content of the speech is largely determined by you, make sure that your
audience drives the material that you choose to cover in the presentation. Make sure that the speech
is interesting, informative, well-researched/supported, and well-organized.
Outline: For all of your speeches, you will develop a thorough speaker’s outline.
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o Please use APA or MLA style for your outline.
o Reference/bibliography pages should be included with all outlines.
o Sources should be included in outline and on the reference/bibliography page.
o Due: Your outline is due (via email) to me at least 24 hours before you speak.
Delivery style: For most of the speeches, your delivery should be extemporaneous. That means that
you should avoid writing out speeches word-for-word and/or memorizing them. Instead, you will
develop thorough outlines and speak based on those outlines.
Speaking notes: Keep your speaking notes to a minimum. We will talk about options here, but know
that you will probably want to speak from note cards or brief notes. Note: I may choose to collect the
speaking notes for feedback purposes.
You will record your presentation and then do a self-evaluation of the speech.
Topic examples: Thurgood Marshall, Emmett Till, “Little Rock Nine,” Student Nonviolent Coordinating
Committee, Freedom Riders, James Meredith, Black Panthers
Grade information: You will be given a more comprehensive list of areas that I will grade, but know that I will
assess:
 Audience adaptation
 Content of speech
 Organization
 Sources
 Delivery
 Language