I have to do what?

Choosing and Developing your Topic

ComparisonResearch Paper/Speech

•Research from several credible sources are analyzed and integrated to support a chosen viewpoint.

•An outline is created to provide an organizational plan for the research.

•All sources are acknowledged within the work.

•The subject matter is broadened or narrowed to meet assignment needs.

ContrastResearch Paper

•Research is integrated into a full-text manuscript. A brief keyword outline may be included to provide a content overview.

•The manuscript has been carefully checked for all spelling and grammar errors prior to submission.

•Sources are acknowledge within the manuscript through the use of internal footnotes.

• A works cited should be included with the paper.

•No changes are made once the paper is submitted.

•Visual aids are generally not a part of the research paper.

Speech•Research is integrated into a comprehensive full-sentence outline with a works cited.

•Content from the outline is condensed into a user friendly format for note cards.

•Sources are acknowledged within the speech through the use of vocal citations.

•A conversational oral presentation is fine tuned through a series of rehearsals.

•Grammar and wording is never exactly the same.

•Visual aids are often included to increase comprehension and add interest to the vocal delivery.

•Consider the Speaker - YOU!

•Consider the AUDIENCE!•Who are they? – demographics

•Why are they here? • motivation (passerby, captive, or volunteer)

•What do they consider important?• values, attitudes, beliefs

•Consider the OCCASION!

•Time, place, atmosphere

•Type of speech

•Narrative,• informative, •persuasive, •motivational, •special occasion, •entertaining

I’ve chosen my topic. Now what?

Conduct Background Research

• Helps you select a topic which is appropriate and will meet the guidelines for your assignment.

• Reference Sources such as encyclopedias and almanacs are great places to start.

Identify your purpose

• Develop a General Purpose– To inform; to persuade; to entertain; to narrate; to

motivate; to celebrate

• Develop a Specific Purpose Statement– Describes exactly what you want your speech to

accomplish– Measurable:

• Receiver Oriented: How will if affect audience?• After my speech the audience will …

Example

• Topic: Teenage Driving

• General Purpose– To Inform

• Specific Purpose Statement– After my speech, the audience will know three

reasons why teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents.

Conduct In-depth Research• Where can I look for information?

– On-line• Note: material originally created for use on the internet = online

source

– Off-line• Note: material originally in published form, but found on-line is

considered an off-line source

– Primary research: generated by you• Interviews, surveys (25-50); Personal observation

• How do I decide which research is best?

– Evaluate the source• Who wrote it?• Is it biased?• Is it current?• Does it appropriate for my needs?• Is it appropriate for my audience?

– Scholarly versus Non-scholarly– Wikipedia and about.com are not scholarly

• What is the website domain - .gov .net .com .org or .edu

Annotated Bibliographies

•Provide a rationale for your source selection.

•Styles vary by instructor.

•Three ways to analyze:•Summarize article•Assess source reliability and credibility

• author, source origination, intended audience, bias, and currency

•Reflect on how you will use this information

Works Cited•Many styles are available such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Turabian

•Be sure to use the style approved by your professor

•Style guides are available to help with creating a works cited.