Assignment Guide: Informative Speech
Overview
You’ve crafted the Informative Speech Outline–yay! Now, it’s time for you to use this outline, and the feedback you’ve been offered, to create your 5-6 minute, video-recorded, informative speech. This assignment strictly builds from the Informative Speech Outline assignment; we encourage you to review the outline’s assignment details to further inform your work on this assignment.
Prompt
Record yourself presenting a 5-6 minute speech either defining, describing, explaining or demonstrating something you are passionate about. Include a fully-drafted copy of this speech with your submission.
Expectations
The informative speech is a way for you to share knowledge with your identified audience about a subject you are passionate about. As noted in the previous assignment, you are increasing awareness–not making an argument. As the speaker in this situation, then, you are responsible for identifying an information-sharing approach that serves this specific purpose, by describing, defining, explaining, or demonstrating, your topic, and your passion for it.
Organization
As noted in the Informative Speech Outline assignment, this speech will describe, define, explain, or demonstrate something that you are passionate about. As a reminder, an informative speech conveys knowledge. When done well, information can provide a new perspective or increase our knowledge around a topic. As the speaker, you are responsible for identifying an argument that is not only worthwhile, but is something for which you are passionate—and either describing it, defining it, explaining it or demonstrating it to/for your audience. Here is what those informative purposes look like:
Purpose
Explanation
Example
To Describe
Speeches of description provide a clear, vivid, and memorable picture of a person, place, thing, idea, or alternative. In this category, your goal is to effectively describe your topic in ways that allow the audience to visualize that idea.
Describe the magic of a 3D printer and describe how new material is created.
To Define
Definitional speeches provide the meaning of an idea to the audience. These speeches are helpful to clarify or simplify concepts, theories, or ideas that an audience may be otherwise unfamiliar.
Define the magic of 3D printing, the history, key events, or figures.
To Explain
Speeches of explanation detail processes or how something works, often explaining an otherwise complex, abstract, or unfamiliar idea to the audience. This approach is common in industry-settings or professional contexts where a speaker needs to explain the process, data, or results of a study or program.
Explain the science behind the magic of 3D printing and how it affects different industries.
To Demonstrate
Speeches of demonstration are, well, you guessed it: speeches that demonstrate how something is done for the audience. These can be fun because they allow you to teach the audience something cool and interesting. Demonstration speeches are commonly called “how to” speeches because they show the audience how to do something.
Showcase an actual 3D printer and illustrate to the audience how it works and what makes it so magical within a specific industry.
Step-by-Step Guide
(See in-course readings for detailed explanations/directions.)
Preparing to Present your Speech
Description/Guidelines
Step 1: Review the feedback given to you on your outline and thesis statement.
The outline is a guide to help you plan your presentation, but it does not represent the finished product. As you move forward with your planning, use grader feedback, and your own self-reflection, to adjust the assignment as needed.
*Thesis defines, describes, explains, or demonstrates.
Step 2: Draft your speech–critically considering constitutive, contextual and cultural (3C’s) implications.
When developing your informative speech, ask yourself:
What content am I sharing?
What is my message?
What messages am I trying to avoid?
How might people react to and/or perceive what I’m sharing? Will some disagree? WIll some feel the same?
Who is my audience and what are their needs?
How can I best connect with those who are listening to me speak?
Where do I imagine I’m presenting this speech?
To whom am I addressing?
When and where is my speech occurring?
Step 3: Practice ethical communication
Incorporate 2 credible sources to support your topic; be sure to cite these sources within your speech using MLA formatting; give credit where credit is due.
Step 4: Develop a visual presentation aid with 7-10 slides.
Develop a slideshow (e.g. PPT, Slides, Prezi, Keynote, or the like) with any visual elements to support your purpose for speaking. Be sure to consider the following: content, unity, consistency, emphasis, focal point, visibility, tone, scale, proportion, and usability. Be prepared to use this visual while presenting your speech. Both you and the visual must be seen in the video recording of this presentation.
Step 5: Focus on flow
A speech is a presentation that requires a carefully constructed beginning, middle, and end. Be sure to offer the audience an effective introduction, body, and conclusion, in speaking form. Use transitions to assist with the flow of your ideas.
Step 6: Record yourself giving your 5-6 minute speech using your visual aid.
Be sure to utilize the following speaking techniques: storytelling, projection, enunciation, projection, pausing and pacing. While presenting, do not read your written speech: take time to practice, so that your speaking looks prepared but natural. Your recorded speech should include the following:
A clear photo ID at the beginning for proof of person.
You–at least your face–side-by-side with the deck/visual you have created.
You–using your deck/visual to enhance the speech you are presenting.
Step 7: Submit your written and recorded speech.
Create a document that includes a copy of your written speech (you may also include the outline) along with an appropriate MLA heading featuring the URL for your recorded speech. Thus, the document you submit will have the following:
An appropriate MLA heading with the URL to the video-recording of your speech
A written draft of your entire speech (the one that you are presenting)
Submission Requirements
Submit a written copy (single or double-spaced) of your speech with the URL showcasing your presentation of this speech. On your written speech submission, include a heading with your name, date, title assignment, and name of course followed by the URL to your recorded speech.
Your recorded speech should be free from distracting glitches and technical issues making it hard to review.
Length
Your recorded speech should be 5-6 minutes long. It should address all of the elements included above.
If your speech is under 5 minutes, or over 6 minutes, it will be returned to you ungraded. In this case, you will be asked to recreate and refilm the assignment, after you ensure it meets all expectations outlined in the prompt and rubric.
A drafted copy of the speech must be submitted with the URL to a video-recording of your speech. If these requirements are not met, your work will be returned ungraded.
Essential Elements Checklist: Informative Speech
An advocacy speech increasing awareness of a passion.
A URL to your video in the MLA-formatted heading. (Speech can be single or double-spaced)
A 5-6 minute recorded speech (audio & visual) where both you, the presenter are seen, along with your visual/deck.
A speech with a clear purpose that defines, describes, explains, or demonstrates.
A logically organized speech.
An ethically directed speech, directed towards a clear audience.
The 3-C’s have been clearly and notably considered.
2 credible sources are mentioned in the speech
A slide-driven, visual aid fortifying the speech.
The speech is not read verbatim from the slides and/or any preparatory materials.
The speech is clear of audio & visual issues and/or technical glitches.
All helpful resources have been utilized:
Course readings
Course assignments
Grader feedback
Communicating Ethically Checklist
Using Presentation Aids: A Guide
Drafting and reciting the Best Speech: Tips and Tools
