Informative Speech Assignment
purpose	time	delivery	analysis	sources	visual aids	outline	videotape	grading criteria	grading sheet	sample notecards

Time Limit: 4-6 minutes

Delivery: Extemporaneous key word outlines on notecards are recommended. I suggest 5 notecards (or less). I will ask to look at your notecards as time permits. Do not write out your speech word-for-word on the cards or memorize these notes are used to prompt, not as a manuscript.(sample cards). I also suggest using PowerPoint for this speech. When effectively constructed, the PowerPoint slides often work as "notes" for the speaker as well as provide a visual representation of the materials for the speaker.

Additional Requirements:

1. Audience Analysis: You will survey the class on your topic prior to writing your speech. This will help you give a more effective, better adapted speech. You will ask us to respond to at least 3 different questions about your speech topic (one fixed-response, one ranked question, and one open question -- see sample survey). You will have time in class to survey your classmates. Anyone can refuse to take your survey.

You will report your survey's results as outlined below and attach this report to your formal outline due on the day of your speech delivery.

A. What were the questions?

B.  What was the mean response of your fixed response and ranked question?   In general what did you learn from the open question?

C. What did you infer about your audience from this data?

D.  How did you use your data and inferences to adapt to your audience?   Address this thoughtfully in a paragraph. Be specific in your response.

3. Visual Aids: each person will EFFECTIVELY use at least one visual/audio aid in your speech.

4. Outline: a rough draft of the speech following the outline worksheet will be brought to class for preparation purposes and for feedback. The final draft of your outline is DUE on the day you speak. The FINAL DRAFT is a TYPED full-sentenced outline…complete with parenthetical citations and a typed bibliography. Remember to attach the audience survey results to this page. Here us a sample outline from a past student.

5. Videotape: remember to bring a tape for videotaping and self assessment.  (Also, don't loose this or tape reruns of E.R. on it...keep this copy for future use!)

6.  Self Analysis: After delivering your speech, view your videotape as soon as possible.  Then fill out the Self Assessment Worksheet. You may submit this via the Internet or on paper in class. The assessment will be due the next class period after your speech.  The sooner you turn in the self-assessment, the sooner I can grade them!

Grading Criteria:

1. I will look at how you organized the material. Does it follow a logical order?

2. How did you introduce and conclude the speech?

3. Did you have at least 3 sources? Were they indicated on the outline and the bibliography? Most importantly, are they credible sources?

4. How did the audience respond? How did you adapt to us? What did you say about how you adapted?

5. Did you use effective eye contact and facial expressions?

6. How did you use your body and movement?

7. How did you use your visual aid?

8. Can we hear you…clearly…articulately…vividly?

9. Did we understand the material?

10. Was the material meaningful?

*Remember, if you only fulfill these requirements, your speech will be average. The excellent speaker goes beyond these criteria and brings herself or himself into the speech.

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