Informative Speech Assignment
150 points (Manuscript 100; Draft & Final Outlines 50)
For this assignment you will submit an outline and a manuscript of your speech that you would have presented in
front of your classmates. In addition, you would submit a draft outline and thesis for peer feedback in Blackboard.
Preparation outline – is a blueprint which helps you to prepare for your speech. Writing an outline helps you to
decide what you will say in the introduction, how you will organize the main points and supporting materials in the
body, and what you will say in the conclusion. It helps to ensure that you have adequate supporting materials for
your main points, that related items are together and that your ideas flow from one another.
Speech Manuscript – this is a prepared statement word for word of your speech. It follows the sequence of your
preparation outline. Your speech should not sound like an essay read to your audience. It is less formal, more
interactive and typically uses simpler sentences. Avoid highly complex language that may confuse your audience.
Remember the difference between oral and written styles when constructing your speech. Write this as though you
were delivering your actual speech.
The general purpose of this speech is to inform. Generally, the speaker must:
1) Provide the audience with a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING of the speaker’s view of the subject.
2) Arouse and maintain the INTEREST and ATTENTION of the audience.
3) Present the material with a focus on audience COMPREHENSION, NOT PERSUASION.
When your speech is over, your audience should feel that they received greater breadth and depth of information
on the subject than they had before you spoke. You are expected to research your topic thoroughly and provide us
with a thoughtful and interesting view of the topic you select. You are not to try and convince us of how we should
feel or what we should believe about the topic, nor are you to try and convince us to alter our behavior concerning
your topic. That would be a persuasive function, and should not be applied to this speech. Fundamentally, you are
to become the expert on your topic from our class, and teach us what you know and learned about it.
Humor and creativity are often overlooked by informative speakers. If your subject is light, humor certainly has a
place in your speech. Just be certain to put it in the proper perspective so that the speech does not become an
entertainment speech. Additionally, any time you can present an abstract or complex idea in a new and clearer way,
your creativity will be rewarded by audience interest and your own enhanced credibility.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:
- Each student will prepare a speech which will provide information that is new and interesting to your
audience and designed to enlighten, educate or clarify. The topic you select must be related to business
activities. Make certain that it can be covered adequately in the time available. You must make the
connection between your topic and yourself for your audience in the introduction of your speech. Doing
so is especially important in establishing your credibility on the topic. Even though you may claim you are
an expert on a topic, you are required to do research and to cite that research (which will also increase your
credibility). - A thesis statement consisting of a full declarative sentence specifying the central idea of your speech must
be must be submitted on the Blackboard Discussion Board for peers in your group to give feedback. Use
Tip for Writing your Specific Purpose/Central Idea as a guide. - You must have at least three (3) main points to support your thesis/central idea. Your main points will be
further developed by using supporting sub-points. - Research thoroughly. You must have a minimum of four (4) reliable sources outside of your own
knowledge on your subject. You should cite research sources during your speech, using oral notes such as
“according to” to indicate that you have done the research for the speech. - Use verbal support. You are to include at least two different forms of support in your speech. The
following are examples of different types of support: statistics, testimony, narrative, reports and anecdotes. - Provide a at least one meaningful visual aid. Aids do add interest but make sure that they are incorporated
smoothly into the presentation. List them as exhibit 1, 2, 3 and so forth into your speech. See the speech
manuscript on Flexible Spending Plan as a guide on how you can incorporate your visual aid. You can also
attach them at the end of your speech. - The speech is to be 4 to 6 minutes long. This should be between 650 to 800 words. Read it aloud to make
sure it fits within the time allotted. - Outline Requirement
a. A typed, full-sentence copy of a preparation outline is due. Your final outline should follow the format
in the How to Prepare Your Outline guide. Refer to outlines for 4D Printing and Beneficial Bacteria as
examples.
b. The outline should include a statement describing the specific purpose of your speech, a statement
describing the central idea of your speech, a detailed account ofthe main and sub-points of your speech
(divided into introduction, body, and conclusion), notations about your verbal and non-verbal choices
throughout the speech, and a bibliography that includes citations to all sources mentioned in the
speech.
c. Beforehand you will submit a draft at the Blackboard Discussion Board for peers in your group to give
feedback. Write their suggestions and make revisions as needed for your final outline. - Speech Manuscript Requirement
a. A typed, full-sentence copy of your speech manuscript is due. Refer to the manuscripts on 4D Printing,
Flexible Spending Plans, and Securing Yourself Online as examples.
b. Your speech should follow the sequence of your outline. It must begin with an introduction which
contains an attention getter, orienting material, an explicit thesis statement, and preview. The body
which contains the main and sub-points of your speech and notations about visual or audio support.
The conclusion must contain a summary of the main points made and a clincher. Sections should be
connected by transition statements which review the point just made and preview the upcoming
material.
c. The research contained in the bibliography of your outline is to be reflected within the speech by use
of oral citations. Research thoroughly. You should cite research sources during your speech, using oral
notes such as “according to” to indicate that you have done the research for the speech.
Remember that, for an informative speech to be considered exemplary, the information contained within it
should be communicated accurately and clearly and should be made meaningful and interesting to the audience.
Moreover, remember that your informative speech should be thoroughly researched, logically organized, and
have an effective beginning, middle, and end.
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Formatting
Title Page
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Outline
