Speech 4 – Informative – COM 181

Speech 4 – Informative – COM 181 – Toren

“YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES”

THIS SPEECH MUST BE 1:50-2:00 in length

The point of this speech is to explain something of significance to us. You will teach us about the topic choice and do so in a clear, interesting and concise way. This is about relating information in the best way possible, with clarity and enthusiasm. Essentially, you will become the teacher in this speech. Approach it that way.

HYBRID OR TRADITIONAL CLASSES must use 1-2 PROJECTED IMAGES OR PHOTOS, SHOWN DURING YOUR SPEECH BEHIND YOU.

ONLINE CLASSES must use 1-2 LARGE VISUAL AIDS (or project the images/photos, if possible).

You can use either the manuscript style or extemporaneous style, with an outline to prepare and practice your speech, however, if you choose to write a manuscript, DO NOT READ THIS SPEECH TO THE AUDIENCE WORD FOR WORD. Some people may like to script what they are going to say for rehearsal. Other people may choose to create an outline from which to speak, which always makes the speech even more effective and ‘in the moment’. I’ll let you decide which suits you. Remember that merely reading is dull, monotonous and uninspiring.

In your speech, be detailed, but in your own natural voice. Learn about the subject first, then think about and decide what you really want to say, only after research. Tell us all what we need to know about the subject, and, possibly, surprise us with new information not well known. While this is informative, leave us with something to think about; something new we can remember or learn from hearing about this topic, perhaps, a lesson, a question, something to consider.

———————————————————————————————————————-

Choose an appropriate organizational pattern to follow. It will depend on your chosen topic.

Topic choice is very important with this speech. You should be very particular about your choice. We need a topic that is a perfect mix of:

1. Worthwhile and significant

2. Somewhat obscure and likely to be new for most in the audience

3. Interesting to you specifically

AVOID very typical speech topics, like Woodstock, the JFK assassination, history of the cell phone

Choose one of these 4 topic approaches:

HISTORIC EVENT OR MOMENT IN TIME, (preferably, one not frequently thought of)

OBJECTS OF SIGNIFICANCE, (great invention, world-changing fad, and more)

IMPORTANT PUBLIC FIGURE, (no one very well known)

MYSTERIOUS EVENT, (but nothing like UFOs or such)

Think about the different categories of things in the world. This can help you find something of interest. Such categories which may contain a great topic are: war, medicine, communication, law, civil rights, space, education, culture, transportation, entertainment, and, definitely, et cetera.

USE 1 CLEAR, TYPED PAGE FROM WHICH TO DELIVER YOUR SPEECH

Updated 12 January 2013