English 101: Process or Division & Classification Speech
Your first and only speech for this course will be an informative speech that will do one of the following:



explain how to do something,
explain how something is done, or
use division and classification to categorize types of people, ideas, objects, etc.
You will use the informative pattern (introduction, body, and conclusion), and you will be graded for
content (the structure and presentation of the topic) as well as for form (body and voice). Use the
following checklist to aid you in preparing for a 3-4 minute speech.
Presentation Checklist
 Topic: Choose a topic that interests you and with which you are familiar
 References: Include at least two (2) outside sources cited in your speech and listed in MLA
format in your formal outline. You can choose from books, newspapers, magazines, journals,
websites, or other sources. You are welcome to share an anecdote in your speech; however, that
will not count as a source.
 Create a rough draft outline worksheet (I’ll give you a form for this.)
o Name
o Title of Speech
o Specific purpose
o Thesis statement
o Outline in keyword format
o Works Cited in MLA format
 Create your speaking notes on note cards (I’ll provide these.)
 Create a visual aid: a photograph, diagram, chart, 3D representation, etc.
 Practice your speech and extemporaneous delivery
o Time: 3-4 minutes
o Content
o Form/Delivery
o Using your notes effectively without reading
Developing a Speech Topic
In choosing a topic for your speech, try to think of something that 1) interests you, and 2) that you know
well. If you are interested and familiar with the topic, your research will be easier, your delivery will be
more comfortable, and your enthusiasm will keep the audience interested. The best speech topics are
about you—your job, your hobbies, your travels, your activities, your vacations, etc.
1. Books or movies that interest you
2. Local, national, or international events that interests you
3. Travel experiences
4. Your interesting family dynamics
5. Activities you participate in regularly
6. Jobs you have had
7. Hobbies
8. What makes you different from almost anyone else
9. Experiences you have had that almost no one has
10. How to be a great leader
11. Learning how to drive a stick shift
12. How to manage time
13. Procrastination 101
14. Choosing the right guy/girl
15. How to be happy being single
16. How to make a good first impression
17. Different types of action movies
18. Different types of romantic comedies
19. Different types of books
20. Unique categories of foods
21. Best toys for kids
22. How to dance
Topics to Avoid: abortion, gun control, the death penalty, legalization of marijuana, politics, religious
beliefs, marriage rights, or anything else of a controversial nature. The purpose of this speech is to be
informative—not to stir up debate. Save those discussions for another time and place.
Informative Speech Rough Draft Outline Worksheet
Name: __________________________________________________
Title: ___________________________________________________
Purpose Statement:
At the end of my speech, my audience will _______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Attention-getter:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Thesis Statement:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Preview of Main Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Relevance or Interest to Audience
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
(Transition)
Body Paragraph 1
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
(Transition)
Body Paragraph 2
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
(Transition)
Body Paragraph 3
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
(Transition)
Body Paragraph 4
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
(If you have additional body paragraphs, add them with an additional sheet of paper.)
Conclusion
Review of Main Points
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Final Message
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Sources Used
Source 1
Who (author[s]):
When (date published and date retrieved if online):
What (book or periodical title, article title, web article/web page title):
Where (publisher, periodical, URL, etc.):
Source 2
Who (author[s]):
When (date published and date retrieved if online):
What (book or periodical title, article title, web article/web page title):
Where (publisher, periodical, URL, etc.):
**When you deliver your final speech, you will submit a Works Cited page with the correct MLA formatting for the
sources above.