Guidelines for Speech Assignments in Discourse 109

For all speeches...
  • All formal speeches must include a typed preparation outline (Ch 9) which lays out your speech organization, and demonstrates your research and preparation.  If any outside sources are used, a complete list of references must be attached to your outline.  Examples of outlines and different types of organizations can be found in your textbook.  Part of your total speech grade will reflect the quality of your outline.
  • Outlines are due the day you speak.  Please hand me your outline before you approach the front of the room to speak.
  • All speeches must be extemporaneous.  Plan what you are going to talk about, but DO NOT memorize your speech word-for-word.  Also, DO NOT read your speech.  Speeches which are clearly read or memorized will not earn a grade higher than a "C."
  • Time yourself when practicing your speech.  Speech grades will be lowered one grade level (e.g. from B+ to B) for every 30 second block of time under or over the time limit.
  • Make sure you are preparing the right kind of speech: Informative or Persuasive.  Speeches that are of the wrong type cannot earn higher than a "B."

#1 - Informative Speech ("My Best Moment")

The purpose of the first speech is to demonstrate your comprehension of the basics of public speaking. To that end, you will give a speech that will celebrate the subject closest to your heart–YOU!  You should decide what moment in your life exemplified you at your peak and tell us about it. You will want to do more than just tell a story. You want to make clear from the beginning what the story shows about you.  A good "best moment" speech will also have a larger lesson to be learned from it--something that makes the message meaningful to the audience as well as the speaker.
 

#2 - Informative Speech (Visual Aid Speech)

In the second informative speech, you will pick a subject area you find interesting and that would be interesting to the audience as well. Your subject area must be about some aspect of a culture other than your own.  You might explain a concept or process that is part of that culture (e.g., rituals, courtship practices, etc.), show us how something works (e.g., food preparation, use of an artifact), or inform us about what something really is (e.g., clarifying a common misunderstanding about that culture).  You will then research it, gain a general understanding of it, and pass that understanding on to us.  You may pick a common subject, but it must go beyond our general knowledge.  The topic must have some significance to justify both your time and ours.  Be sure to be culturally sensitive, and not present your cultural topic in a belittling or ethnocentric fashion (e.g., calling a cultural practice “funny,” “silly,” “weird,” or “ridiculous”).
 

#3 - Persuasive Speech (Speech to Convince)

For your persuasive speech, you will attempt to persuade your audience to belief or action on a worthwhile topic that develops out of Speech #2.  You should pay attention to the selection and use of evidence for defending each point of your speech, and to the use of appeals to primary needs and motives.  You should also demonstrate how you have adapted your speech to your particular audience.
 
 
Grading Standards:
Remember, a grade of C means "average."  If you complete assignments on time and meet the basic criteria, you should expect a C, not an A.  Even if you worked "really hard," you should not expect an A.  A grade of B means that you have done work that would be considered above average (well prepared, very solid), while a grade of A indicates that your work was exceptional (original, creative, professional).  Grades of D or F reflect inadequate development and preparation, or inattention to the requirements of the assignment.

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This page is maintained by Aileen Buslig, buslig@cord.edu
Updated 3/2/06