Informative Speeches Picking a topic Audience Analysis Brainstorming

Informative Speeches • • • Picking a topic Audience Analysis Brainstorming Outlines What designs to use • • • 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.

– Movies – hockey – Olympics – dirt bike racing – games – board games – Planets – roller coasters – Astronomy – homeless – Biology – Obama – Drawing – Columbine – Art – Disease – Musical instruments – favorite book – fossil collecting – Model cars – Comic books – Horses – Anime – Dance – Aliens – Internet – Cats – Low Riders – PS 3 – Bikes – Wii – Fossils – Acting – Geology – Karate – Outer space – 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 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

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 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 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.

Evaluations Not only will I give evaluations, but you will give each other evaluations too! Give constructive criticism, not just the average “good job”. Give things that you think the speaker needs to improve upon.