Informative Speech AssignmentInformative Speech Assignment

These guidelines apply to every Informative Speech draft.Revised 02/03/09

 The following are the instructions for the individual informative speech you will prepare and deliver in class. The resulting individual presentation should be 6-8 minutes long. The speech should be neatly typed in New Times Roman with a size 12 font.  The document should be double-spaced and have a 1” margin. The cover page, speech, and reference page should be written in the same word-processed document in order. The written speech is usually 6-8 pages long upon completion. The result of this assignment should include a collection of at least four unique drafts, each including a printout of your PowerPoint slides (six slides to a page). The minimum four drafts are the First Draft for peer feedback; the Writing Lab Draft for feedback; the Professor Approval Draft for professor approval and feedback; and the Final Draft, which acts as the Mid-Term Exam, all written according to these guidelines. All drafts are due in your blog and in different numbers of hard copies by their respective deadlines (see schedule for specifics). Be sure to ask specific questions regarding anything that is unclear to you regarding this assignment as soon as possible. Read the pages that corresponds to the different parts of your speech writing process in your textbook. See ‘Informative Speech Checklist’ to assure timeliness of related assignments.

The cover page:

[EDITION OF THE SPEECH, date of completion]—Write out which edition of the draft this is centered on top of the cover page.  Make sure

you update this note for every draft, whether it is to be turned in or not.

Items 1-4 are not part of your speech, but offers direction for you, reviewer  and the professor.1.       Your name2.       The title of your speech3.       Your general purpose statement, which can be “To inform,” “To persuade,” or “To entertain”

or combination with “To entertain.” 4.       Your specific purpose statement, which should start, “As a result of my presentation,      my audience will be able to . . .”  What the members of the audience should be “able to do”      should be specific skills (more than knowledge) that the members of your audience will gain      as a result of your presentation.  It should not include the words “know” or “understand”—      Indicate what specific skills they will gain from your presentation.      New page:

Each section of the speech (introduction, body, conclusion, references) should be labeled in centered, capital letters the way they are in this document.

INTRODUCTION Write it all out: Every single word you plan to say in the speech should be written out exactly the way you intend to present, including references to interaction with the audience and commentary on presentational aids. Follow the guidelines for writing a speech, not an essay.  

Reference numbers: The textbook uses roman numerals to outline the introduction.  However, for the sake of class discussion and feedback, we will use Arabic reference numbers in parentheses at the beginning of the sentence that related to the specific reference number. Items 6, 7, 8, and 9 do not need to be written in order. However, the introduction should start with reference number 5 in parentheses and be followed by a powerful attention-getter and the introduction should end with reference number 10 in parentheses, followed by an accurate preview statement. Introduction elements can be combined within the same sentence by placing several reference numbers in the same parentheses. These reference numbers act as ‘training wheels’ in the speech preparation process – In the Informative Speech Final Draft, these reference numbers should be deleted.

 (5)    The first part of the introduction should contain an attention-getter, which offers the

audience a reason for listening.  This statement or action should be powerful and set the tone for the speech.

(6)    The introduction should establish a relationship between the audience and the topic. Say something that indicates how the topic is relevant to the audience–answer the “Why should I listen to this topic?” question for them.

(7)    The introduction should provide information need for the audience to find you credible as a speaker on the topic.  Tell the audience your credentials as a speaker on this topic.  Answer the “Why should I listen to you talk about this topic?” question for them.

(8)    The introduction should also “ground” the audience by providing information they need to understand the speech topic before you go into details.  If your topic does not require “grounding” information, you may not use this item in your speech. If you choose not to use 8, don’t write 8 anywhere in the speech.

(9)    The thesis statement, or central idea, is the sentence in the speech introduction that states your most important point or purpose, the gist of the speech. The thesis may also be combined with the preview statement, see below.

(10) The preview statement is the last sentence of the introduction.  It should include       each of the main points of the speech in the exact order they will be presented.

Presentational aids: You are required to use PowerPoint for this presentation (may include graphics, text, audio, video, etc.). You may also incorporate additional presentational aids media.  You are to place a bracket “[. . . ]” in the speech to mark where in the speech you intend to use each of the presentational aids.  Within the bracket you should write what kind of media the presentational aid is and offer a description of the specific aid.  For example, a PowerPoint slide showing a video clip from An Inconvenient Truth showing Al Gore’s hand gestures would be written out, “[PP video: Al Gore Gestures].” These aids should be used during your presentation where planned as per the written speech—there is no such thing as a “fake” public speech.Oral footnotes: Your speech should be supported by at least five different sources.  At least one of the sources should be an interview with a person. (A transcript of an interview done by another person does not qualify). Do a Google search on how to verify a website as a credible source. Wikipedia is NOT considered a credible source since ANYBODY can contribute.  The sources should be cited as oral footnotes in the speech with the name of the person or organization quoted or paraphrased, indication of this person’s or organization’s credentials pertaining to the content, name of the publication or interview, and, if deemed important, the year of publication.  In case of statistics from a study, the method of how the statistics were derived may need to be described as well.  All sources used in the speech should be cited as oral footnotes. “Oral” means that you write out the footnotes the way the source citation will come out of your mouth during the presentation, as in “According to . . .” or a more fluid alternative. Citations have to be written into

the speech and presented orally for full credit.  Sources should also be cited in the bibliography written in APA format. 

                                                                 BODYContent: Each main concept included in the speech should be thoroughly explored in order to help the audience comprehend and recall the contentStructured body: The narrative of the body should be structured with 3-5 main points, and at least two sub-points per main point outlined according to the standard symbol outlining system (Roman numerals, capital letters, Arabic numerals, etc).Keyword headings: For each point of the speech marked with a universal outlining symbol, you are to include a 2-3 word keyword heading immediately following the symbol. The headings are not spoken (but belong in accurate order in your note cards). The speech narrative should continue on the line below the heading. Sub-sub-points may not demand keyword headings depending on size and context.Sign posts: Each main point should include an internal introduction or preview. Internal attention-getters, internal summaries, and additional signposts are strongly encouraged for each main point as well. Main point transitions are required at the very end of each main point (except the one leading into the conclusion) above the symbol and heading for the following main point.

                                                          CONCLUSIONREMEMBER: In the Informative Speech Final Draft, these reference numbers should be

deleted.      (20) The conclusion should include a summary of each of the important points of the speech.

This summary should reiterate what has already been said.  It should include more

material than just a restatement of the preview statement from the introduction to improve audience recall.  Do not say “In conclusion.”

     (21) The last part of the conclusion should “clinch” the speech by building up towards             and ending with a last memorable thought.  The ultimate “clincher” ties the             speech together with references from the “attention-getter” and other parts of the             introduction and the body material. “Thank you,” “I hope,” and “In conclusion”             are phrases not allowed in the conclusion, as they take away from the power of             the speech.

New page:REFERENCES

All sources (minimum 5) used in writing the speech should be cited as oral footnotes within the speech and in the bibliography in APA format (See http://lrc.pjc.edu/citing.shtml for citation guide). One of the five sources should be an interview with a person. This source should be as integrated into the speech as any text source would be. The bibliography citation goes as follows:

[Interviewee’s last name], [Interviewee’s first initial]. [Interviewee’s second initial]. Personal     communication. [Date of the interview].

Evidence of Consideration of Feedback NoteThroughout the speech writing process, you will produce drafts and receive feedback on those drafts. Prior to posting your Informative Speech Final Draft, you should post an ‘Evidence of Consideration of Feedback Note’ in your blog that summarizes the official feedback (peer, Writing Lab, and Professor) received and any other feedback you solicited and explain what changes you made or didn’t make based on that feedback.

PowerPoint Printouts

When creating the PowerPoint presentation, take advantage of best practices and DO NOT rely on automatic timing for the slides. The classroom computer uses PowerPoint 2003, so please save your presentation in that format to prevent computer problems. PowerPoint printout should be 6 slides to a page, including the background image (color, presentation-quality print not necessary until Informative Speech Final Draft).

Note cardsYou may use a maximum of 7 note cards written on one side only. The note cards should be 4”x6” or 3”x5”, white, ruled, and numbered. Their content should be based on key terms headings of the speech and may also include completely written out direct quotes, hard-to-get-through portions of the speech, presentation cues, etc. It CANNOT be the entire speech written in small font. The note cards should be separate from each other and held in one hand or be placed strategically on the stage during the presentation. The note cards should be turned in immediately following the presentation.

Evidence of RehearsalYou are expected to rehearse the presentation several times prior to your recorded performance. The evidence you offer to prove that you rehearsed should be an ‘Evidence of Rehearsal Note’ posted to your blog. The content is up to you as long as what you write describes how you set up the rehearsals, how they went, and what you learned from them. Rehearsals should include use of note cards and at least the movements that go with the delivery and use of presentational aids. Rehearsals should be timed to assure that you stay within the allotted time frame of 6-8 minutes.

PresentationYou are expected to dress in professional business attire for your presentation. To prevent time constraints, please try to come early to class to set up on the day of your presentation. You’ll need to put your name on the board to establish the order of speakers for the session. You’ll need to save your PowerPoint presentation in the “My Documents” folder on the classroom computer. When it’s your turn to present, take time to clean the stage from previous speakers as necessary and set up the stage as needed for your own presentation. Use of lectern is not allowed. You are to use the remote control to navigate your PowerPoint presentation, so make sure you know how to use it prior to the day of your presentation. Help the following speaker clean up the stage immediately after the applause. Turn in the note cards to the instructor immediately after your presentation.

Class ConferenceSpecial instructions will be offered regarding the posting of the Informative Speech Final Draft and PowerPoint for class project showcasing via your blog.

A speech format is like a map. When you deliver a speech you are the driver and the audience members are your passengers. They want to know where you are taking them, how long it will take to get there, and what they can expect to see along the way.One of the best "road maps" is what I call the redundancy format:

Tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em. Tell 'em. Tell 'em what you told 'em.

This simple yet effective structure looks like:

-Opening: Announce your subject in the first sentence or paragraph. Speaker Jack Bernard calls it a mini commercial of what is to come.

-Body: Substantiate your topic

-Close: Repeat main points of your topic

How much time do you have?

A fifteen-twenty minute speech is approximately 2,000 words. Below is a sample format for a typical 10-15 minute speech or presentation:

Initial greeting & opening (approximately 2 minutes): Grab the audience's attention.

Overview (approximately 2 minutes): Tell them about the 3 main points you are going to cover.

Body (approximately 9 minutes - 3 minutes each point): cover the points and reinforce each one with examples, stories, illustrations, facts, statistics, handouts, exercises, etc.

Close (approximately 2 minutes): Summary of main points and call to action or inspiration.

Expand or streamline material according to time elements:

5-9 minutes: 1 or 2 points Less then 5 minutes: 1 point (obviously your most important point.)

The Rule of Three

Tom Ogden master magician and entertainer says: "The Rule of Three applies everywhere. To name some examples: the Trinity; the Three Bears; the Three Little Pigs; the Andrews Sisters; the Three Stooges; The Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria..."

He goes on to say, “Series of three produce a rhythm that causes a positive and pleasing sense of completion and fulfillment. So many examples can be found in fact and fiction, in life and in storytelling, that it is valuable to relate the Rule of Three whenever possible."

What this means is don't try to cover more than 3 points in a presentation. If you have more than 3 points, then cluster them into groups of no more than 2-3 points each group. Besides the tips offered by Tom above, most people can't remember more than 3 points. I once took a memory course that used the "Rule of Three" grouping to aid in memory retention. So, the rule not only assists the audience in terms of listening pleasure and retention of your message, it asists YOU, the presenter, in remembering your speech content and organization.

Additional Formats

PAST-PRESENT FUTURE: Chronological

Good structure for historical, financial, scientific, environmental, technological, political and educational programs.

1. Begin with brief history of topic

2. Describe what is happening now

3. Finish with predictions or long-term projections

How to Write a SpeechLearning how to write a speech needn't be a nail biting experience!

Unsure? Don't be. You may have lived with the idea you were never good with words for a long time. Or perhaps writing speeches at school brought you out in cold sweats but this is different.

Learning to write a speech is easy when you learn to write out loud. And that's what you are going to now.

If you've done your preparation you're set to go.

To begin you need your speech overview or outline

If you haven't got one, check these guidelines on how to prepare a speech outline .Or click here for a simpified 'no frills' 4 step downloadable speech outline template

Before you go any further you need to know:

WHO you are writing your speech for (the audience) WHAT your speech is going to be about (its topic)

- the main points ranked in order of importance with supporting research HOW long it needs to be eg. 3 minutes, 5 minutes...

Having an overview or outline will reduce the time and possible stress involved in writing and preparing your speech. Believe me, they work!

Don't have time to read a whole page?Get The Quick How to Write a Speech Checklist

How to Write a Speech : Construction

The basic how to write a speech format is simple. It consists of three parts:

an opening or introduction the body where the bulk of the information is given and an ending (or summary).

Think of it as a sandwich. The opening and ending are the slices of bread holding the filling (body) together. You can build yourself a simple sandwich with one filling or you can go gourmet and add up to three or even five. The choice is yours. But whatever you choose to serve, as a good cook, you need to consider who is going to eat it! And that's your audience.

So with them in mind, let's prepare the filling first.

How to Write a Speech: Step One

Begin with the most important idea/point on your outline.

Consider HOW you can explain (show, tell) that to your audience in the most effective way for them to easily understand it.

Before you start writing your speech read the suggestions below for writing well out-loud.

The main consideration in 'how to write a speech' is always your audience. A good speech is never written from the speaker's point of view.

(Need to know more about why? Check out building rapport.)

Identify either a real person or the type of person who is most likely to be in your audience.

Make sure you select someone who represents the 'majority'. That is they are neither struggling to comprehend you at the bottom of your scale or light-years ahead at the top.

Now imagine they are sitting next to you eagerly waiting to hear what you're going to say. Give them a name, for example, Joe, to help make them real.

Ask yourself: How do I need to tailor my information to meet Joe's needs?

For example, do you tell personal stories illustrating your main points?This is a very powerful technique. You can find out more about storytelling in speeches here.

What type or level of language is right for Joe as well as my topic?

How to Write a Speech: Step Two

Write down what you'd say as if you were talking directly to them.If it helps, say everything out loud before you write and/or use a recorder.After you've finished, take notes.

You do not have to write absolutely everything you're going to say down* but you do need to write the sequence of ideas to ensure they are logical and easily followed.Remember too, to explain or illustrate your point with examples from your research.

(*Tip: If this is your first speech the safety net of having everything written down could be just what you need. It's easier to recover from a patch of jitters when you have a full set of notes than if you have either none or a bare outline.)

How to Write a Speech: Step Three

Rework Step Two (your first main point) until you've made yourself clear.

Do not assume because you know what you're talking about the person (Joe) you've chosen to represent your audience will too. Joe is not a mind-reader.

Check the 'tone' of your language. Is it right for the occasion, subject matter and your audience?

Check the length of your sentences. If they're too long or complicated you risk losing your listeners.

Have you chosen words everybody will understand?'There are 5 cent words and $5.00 words. Why use a $5.00 one when a 5 cent one tells it better?'Example: He 'spat' = 5 cents. He 'expectorated' = $5.00

Read what you've written out loud. If it flows naturally continue the process with your next main idea. If it doesn't, rework.

Remember you are writing 'oral language'.You are writing as if you were explaining, telling or showing something to someone. It doesn't have to be perfect sentences. We don't talk like that. We use whole sentences and part ones and we mix them up with asides or appeals e.g. 'Did you get that? Of course you did. Right...Let's move it along. I was saying ...'

Repeat How to Write a Speech Steps One, Two & Three for the remainder of your main ideas.Because you've done the first block carefully, the rest should come fairly easily.

How to Write a Speech: Step Four: Linking or Transitions

Between each of your main ideas you need to provide a pathway. This links them for your listeners. The clearer the path, the easier it is to make the transition from one idea to the next. If your speech contains more than three main ideas and each is building on the last, then consider using a 'catch-up' or summary as part of your transitions.

A link can be as simple as:

'We've explored one scenario for the ending of Block Buster 111, but let's consider another. This time...' What follows is the introduction of Main Idea Two.

A summarizing link or transition example:

'We've ended Blockbuster 111 four ways so far. Everybody died, 1. Everybody died BUT their ghosts remained, 2. One villain died. His partner reformed and after a fight-out with the hero, they both strode off into the sunset, 3. 4,The hero dies in a major battle but is reborn sometime in the future. And now what about one more? What if nobody died? The fifth possibility...'

Go back through your main ideas checking the links. Remember Joe as you go. Try each transition or link out loud and listen to yourself. Write them down when they are clear and concise.

How to Write a Speech: Step Five: The Ending

The ideal ending is highly memorable. You want it to live on in the minds of your listeners. Often it combines a call to action with a summary of major points.

Example:The desired outcome of a speech persuading people to vote for you in an upcoming election is that they do so. You can help that outcome along by calling them to register their support by signing a prepared pledge statement as they leave.

Example:The desired outcome is increased sales figures. The call to action is made urgent with the introduction of time specific incentives.

'You have three weeks from the time you leave this hall to make that dream family holiday in New Zealand yours. Can you do it? Will you do it? The kids will love it. Your wife will love it. Do it now!'

NB. A clue for working out what the most appropriate call to action might be, is to go back to the original purpose for giving the speech.

Was it to motivate or inspire?

Was it to persuade to a particular point of view?

Is your speech being evaluated?

Find out exactly what aspects you're being asessed on.

Check out this standard speech evaluation form

Was it to share specialist information?

Was it to celebrate a person, a place, time or event?

Ask yourself what you want people to do as a result of having listened to your speech.

(You can find out more here about how to end a speech effectively. You'll find two additional types of endings with examples.)

Write your ending and test it out loud.

How to Write a Speech: Step Six: The Introduction

Once you've got the filling (main ideas) the linking and the ending in place, it's time to focus on the introduction.

The introduction comes last as it's the most important part of your speech. This is the bit that either has people sitting up alert or slumped and waiting for you to end.

What makes a great opening?You want one that makes listening to you the only thing the Joe's in the audience want to do. You want them to forget they're hungry or that their chair is hard or that the bills need paying.

The answer is to capture their interest straight away. You do this with a 'hook'. Hooks come in as many forms as there are speeches and audiences. Your task is work out what the specific hook is to catch your audience.

Go back to the purpose. Why are you giving this speech? Once you have your answer, consider your call to action. What do you want the audience to do as a result of listening to you? Next think about the imaginary or real person you wrote for when you were focusing on your main ideas.

Ask yourself, if I were him/her what would appeal? Is it humor?

Would shock tactics work?

Is it formality or informality?

Is it an outline of what you're going to cover, including the call to action?

Or is it a mix of all these elements?

Here's an example from a fictional political speech. The speaker is lobbying for votes. His audience are predominately workers whose future's are not secure.

'How's your imagination this morning? Good? ( Pause for response from audience) Great, I'm glad. Because we're going to put it to work starting right now. I want you to see your future. What does it look like? Are you happy? Is everything as you want it to be? No? Let's change that. We could do it. And we could do it today. At the end of this speech you're going to be given the opportunity to change your world, for a better one...No, I'm not a magician or a simpleton with big ideas and precious little commonsense. I'm an ordinary man, just like you.'

And then our speaker is off into his main points supported by examples. The end, which he has already foreshadowed in his opening, is the call to vote for him.

Experiment with several openings until you've found the one that serves your audience, subject matter and purpose best.

Writing your speech is very nearly done. There's just one more step to go!

How to Write a Speech: Step Seven: Checking

This 'how to write a speech' step pulls everything together.Go through your speech several times carefully.

On the first read through check you've got your main points in their correct order with supporting material plus an effective introduction and ending.

On the second read through check the linking passages or transitions making sure they are clear and easily followed.

On the third reading check your sentence structure, language use and tone.

Now go though once more.

This time read it aloud slowly and time yourself. If it's too long make the necessary cuts. Start by looking at your examples rather than the main ideas themselves. If you've used several to illustrate one, cut the least important out. Also look to see if you've repeated yourself uneccessarily or gone off track. If it's not relevant, cut it.

Repeat the process, condensing until your speech fits just under the time allowance.

And NOW you are finished with 'how to write a speech', and are ready for REHEARSAL.

Please don't be tempted to skip this step. The 'not-so-secret' secret of successful speeches combines good writing with practice, practice and then practicing some more.