Assignment: Informative Extemporaneous Speech Requirements

A Three to Five-Minute Speech to Inform or Teach

Informative speeches focus on objects, processes, events, or concepts. An extemporaneous presentation is delivered from note cards that occupyone to three 4x6 index cards written on one side. Note cards are created from the complete outline. Extemporaneousspeaking teaches you to think critically and to organize your thoughts with cogency. When developing your complete outline, consider the following parts: introduction, main points, supporting points, transitions, credible evidence, and conclusion. Effective informative speeches meet the following requirements:

Basic Requirements:

1. Choose a topic according to your professor's instructions. Consider how your topic isaudience-centered.You may request your instructor's approval.

2. Gather supporting information from at least threecredible sources. Only one source may be from an Internet web site. Use library resources for access to journals, periodicals, and other credible publications.

3. Determine your specific goal and one-sentence thesis statement. Remember that your general goal is to inform. Your specific goal identifies what you hope to accomplish. The thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of your speech that encapsulates the major idea of the speech. You speak the thesis statement to your audience in the Introduction of your speech, normally at or near the end of the Introduction, to preview your main points and lead into the Body of your speech.

4. Organize the body of the speech by dividing your thesis statement into main points (at least two and no more than five). Write each main point as one declarative sentence. Choose an appropriate organizational pattern for your topic and specific goal.

5. Support the main points of your speech with information from credible sources that you found in your research. Provide both parenthetical citations and oral attributions for all sources. List all sources on the "Works Cited" page at the end of your outline beginning on a separate page and in APA format.

6. Write transitions between the main points in the body of the speech. Transitions summarize the previous point and/or preview the upcoming point.

7. Develop an Introduction that includes the following four elements: 1) gets the audience's attention, 2) reveals your topic and relates it to your audience (why might the audience want to know about this topic?), 3) establishes your credibility and goodwill (what qualifies you to speak on this subject?), and 4) previews the body of the speech (provides your thesis statement and main points).

8. Develop a Conclusion that summarizes your main points and reemphasizes your thesis statement in a memorable way, and brings a sense of closure to your speech. The audience should have no doubt that your speech is done.

9. Incorporate appropriate visual aids that enhance your speech and help the audience follow your discussion. Consider how each visual aidadds value to your speech. Remember to explain each aid; don't assume your audience knows the meaning. (If you choose to use PowerPoint, please submit your slides along with your outline. If you use other printed aids, scan and email separately.)

10. Submit your outline and visual aidswhen or before you submityour speech (see course calendar for specific due dates). Type the outline in complete sentences, in either Ariel or Times New Roman 12-point font, double-spaced, using proper Roman numeral outline format, and free of spelling and grammar errors. List all sources on the separate "Works Cited" page(s) at the end of your outline and in APA citation format.

11. Deliver your speech extemporaneously, not read or memorized, to an audience of at least two people. Use oral citations for your resources. Speak from your note cards, not froma reduced size copy of your complete outline. If your speech sounds read or memorized, your grade will be reduced.

12. Time your speech so that you speakbetween 3-5 minutes. Speaking less or morewill reduce your grade.

Informative Speech Outline

(NOTE: Do NOT include instructions in your outline. They are provided to help you create your outline.)

General Purpose: To inform or to teach

Specific Speech Purpose: To inform/teach my audience _________ (fill in what you want to accomplish. What do you want your audience to learn or understand?)

Thesis Statement:

Organizational Pattern:

Main Points:

(Write each point in one complete sentence. Add other main points as appropriate for your organizational pattern.)

NOTE: In addition to the above page one, your complete outline will begin onthe second page and will include the following information: an INTRODUCTION, BODY (with all supporting points), CONCLUSION, and Transitions using the following format.Begin the second page of your outline on a separate page by placing the cursor after the last sentence in the first page and pressing the Ctrl Enter keys at the same time.)

INTRODUCTION
Transition
BODY

I. First main point

A. First supporting point

1. first sub-point
2. second sub-point

B. Second supporting point

1. first sub-point
2. second sub-point

Transition

II. Second main point

A. First supporting point

1. first sub-point
2. second sub-point

B. Second supporting point

1. first sub-point
2. second sub-point

Transition

CONCLUSION

(Add other main points and supporting points as appropriate for your organizational pattern.)

(Begin your list of sources on a separate page by placing the cursor after the last sentence in your outline and pressing the Ctrl Enter keys.)

Works Cited

Place the words "Works Cited" at the top of the page. Center in the line by placing your cursor on the "W" and pressing Ctrl E keys at the same time. Cite sources in APA format.)

Remember:

Include a transition between the Introduction and the first main point, between each main point, and between the last main point and the Conclusion.

Refer to the handout titled "Informative Speech Requirements" to complete your final outline.

Outline format:

Remember that the outline must have between two and five main points, and points must be in at least pairs, e.g., every upper case A must have at least an upper case B, and every number 1 must have at least a number 2., etc.