Due Date: Sept. 15– Oct. 1, 2009
Introduction
You will be required to deliver speeches or talks throughout your life. As a result, it is important for you to learn how to write and deliver a speech. You will write and deliver a speech in class this semester, and your grade will be based on the quality of the speech as well as your presentation of the speech.
Assignment
Write and prepare a 4-5 minute speech about a topic which you believe all people need to know. Your topic must require research - research through the Internet, print and visual materials, and or personal interviews.
Topics
Even though students are required to attend school for twelve years, we still cannot possibly learn everything we need to know in school. Here is your opportunity to teach your classmates about topics that they may not have learned sufficiently in school. Choose a topic which interests you and that you believe is important for other people to know. The topic does not necessarily have to do with English or any academic subject. However, to ensure that two students do not research the same topic, you must sign up for the topic you wish to pursue. Please sign up for your topic through the Discussion Board.
Examples of Topics
| ● | An historical event rarely taught or discussed in school (or an event not taught in detail) |
| ● | An important invention or discovery and its impact on humankind |
| ● | Practical knowledge: how to buy a car, how to invest money, etc. (You must conduct research) |
| ● | College Information: how to obtain scholarships, how to get along with a roommate, etc. |
| ● | Threats to our safety - may be physical, emotional, sociological, etc. |
| ● | Skills and traits we may need to obtain |
Special Note for Magnet Students: If you are taking your Research/Internship course this semester, it is fine for your speech topic to relate to your research topic. However, you should not deliver the same speech for this class as you will for your Research Presentation, nor should you use the same visual aid for this speech as you will for your research presentation. If you have any questions about this, please talk to me.
Specifications for Speech
See pages 52-56 in EasyWriter for help with presentation.
See pages 44-52 in EasyWriter for help with the visual aid.
| 1 | You will be allowed to use notes as you deliver your speech. Although I would encourage you to actually write and type your speech, do not make the mistake of reading your speech to the class. You will not be required to submit your notes or speech for grading. |
| 2 | You are required to have some form of visual aid. If you use PowerPoint, please follow these guidelines. |
| 3 | Your speech must contain the following items. Time requirements are approximations.
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Grading
Please see the attached rubric to determine how you will be graded on this assignment.
Resources
You may find the following source helpful for writing, preparing, and delivering your speech.
