COM-111 357
Fall 2014
Informative Speech Requirements
Assignment:
Informative Speech to Describe
Grade Value:
150 points
Topic Area:
Audience appropriate with the speaker demonstrating a level of knowledge and proficiency.
Objective:
To inform the audience (Describe) about a person, place, concept or event or how something works,
is made, is accomplished, or happens.
Delivery:
You may not read a speech. You must present from brief notes. Reading a speech will earn a
maximum score of 75 pts.
Time Limit:
6 to 8 minutes
Time penalty points assessed as follows:
Under 4:00 a total score of 75 points
4:00-4:59
-15 points
5:00-5:59
-10 points
8:00-8:59
-10 points
9:00
-15 points: Time called
Visuals:
Checklist:

Informative Speech must include PowerPoint™. Pre-recorded material (videotape, DVD and/or
any video) is not permitted in any form or at any time during your speech.
 PowerPoint™ must include at least 8 content slides + 1 black/blank slide (no template visible)
in the beginning for a minimum total of 9 slides.
 No slide should indicate your place within the speech. No slide with markers “Introduction,
Body, Conclusion, The End,” etc. No slide devoted to speech element(s) “General Purpose,
Specific Purpose, Thesis,” etc.”
 Title slides do not count as content.
 Do not include a slide with work citations.
 Images must have sufficient resolution for projection. No images less than 200 kb; however file
size will need to be greater if the image covers a large area.
 Do not alter the aspect ratio of your images. No stretch distortion.
 Images may not display copyright watermarks.
 Slides should be graphic rather than text intensive; however all slides must have both
PowerPoint™ text (that you have entered) and image(s). Background graphics such as borders
and templates do not count toward the image requirement. All images should relate specifically
to the topic.
 All text (including text in graphs and images) must be a minimum 40 pt.; however make the
point size as large as possible to use the space for the greatest impact.
 Words must appear horizontally
 Minimize empty space; maximize text and images.
 Strong contrast between text and background color must be employed.
 Spelling and grammar will be checked. No words should break to the next line.
Organization: Introduction, Body and Conclusion
Outline:
1. Name, Section & Date in upper right corner (single-spaced)
2. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font
3. 1” margins all around
4. Topic
5. Research Sources - (three minimum- five maximum – properly cited by MLA standards)
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You may not personally be a reference unless you have three other valid sources.
You may use only one properly cited interview. At least two sources must be published.
Include the URL along with your MLA citation for Internet sources.
Wikipedia, Wikihow, Wiki (anything) may not be used as a source.
You may not repeat material from the same website.
Website home pages will not be valid citations.
No Blog spots
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COM-111 357
Fall 2014
6. General Purpose – To inform
7. Specific Purpose – To inform about (a main supporting idea)
8. Thesis Statement - formed from all of your main supporting ideas (A+B+C, etc.) and phrased as a
single sentence (no semicolons).
9. Introduction
a. Opening “Attention Getting” Statement written out
b. Methodology or Strategy
c. Thesis Statement/Central Idea
10. Body – only 3 main supporting ideas (A, B & C minimum/maximum)
11. Each main supporting idea must have a minimum of 2 sub supports ( 1. 2.)
12. Transitional Statement between each main supporting idea phrased as a single sentence (no
semicolons).
13. Conclusion
a. First full sentence of conclusion written out
b. Summarize main supporting ideas
c. Full concluding high impact statement written out
14. Outline formatted per sample
15. Pages numbered in lower right corner.
16. Two pages maximum
Spelling will be checked with www.m-w.com
Due Dates:
Thursday, October 2, 2014 Topic approved by 3:30 p.m. All topics must be approved. A ten-point
deduction will be assesed for a topic submitted after that time. Changes to approved topics will result in
a ten-point penalty.
Thursday, October 9, 2014 Outline & PowerPoint™ file due by 3:30 p.m. A ten-point deduction per
day (not class) will be assesed for a late outline and a ten-point deduction per day (not class) for a late
PowerPoint™. Any resubmission with any change to either the outline or PowerPoint™ will receive a
10-point deduction per day, retroactive to the due date. No outline will be accepted after Tuesday,
October 14, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. No excuses accepted as these are due by dates.
Email submissions will only be accepted at prof@ garywheeler.net. This is the only email address to
use for all contact. All emails will receive a response. If you do not receive a response, I did not receive
your email. Your email attempt is not considered a timely submission. Only a received email can be
considered as timely when it is sent by the due date and time to the correct email address and
acknowledged. Outlines must be attached to an email as a Word™ document. No Links. No Works or
Open Office documents.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 All students must be prepared to present their speeches on this date.
Speakers not ready will receive a ten-point deduction. Makeup speeches arranged solely at the
discretion of the instructor and provided time is available. If time does not permit a makeup speech, you
will receive a zero for the missed speech.
Hard copies of outlines must be typed or computer-printed in 12-point Times New Roman type.
Handwritten or unreadable copies (type colors other than black) will not be accepted. Outlines may also
be submitted via email or brought to class on a USB Flash (thumb) Drive or CD/DVD.
PowerPoint presentations may be submitted via email or brought to class on a USB Flash (thumb) Drive
or CD/DVD. If your PowerPoint™ presentation triggers the virus software, it will be rejected and you
will earn a zero for the visuals.
Decorum:
You will give your full attention to each speaker. No one is to enter the room while a speaker is
presenting. Ten points will be deducted from your speech grade for each occurrence of any and all of
the following: any use of an electronic device and/or its audio alerts, eating in class during a speech,
talking or any activity that could be disturbing to the speaker. I repeat, you will give your full attention
to each speaker. Plan ahead. If you are late on a speech day, you will receive a 10-point deduction for
your speech. Class begins at 3:30 p.m.
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