Reference no: EM132321016 , Length: 6

INFORMATIVE SPEECH INSTRUCTIONS

This course requires you topresent an informative speech to a live, visually documented audience of 3 or more adults. Use a video recording device to create an audible recording ofthis presentation for submission.

1. Choose an appropriate topic.

This assignment requires you to research a job field that you already work in or that you may wish to enter somedayto show how someone can use it as a platform for promoting something God values in the world.See the United States Department of Labor's "Occupational Outlook Index" for an extensive list of jobs you may wish to consider profiling for this project.

Speech Goals:Because this is an informative speech-a speech in which you merely report information from credible sources without expressing your personal opinion-your goal in this presentation is simply to use information from appropriately credited expert sources in 2 ways:

(1) To describe this occupation to your audience; and,

(2) To show through documented examples or expert quotations how people can use this occupation as a platform for advancing something that God values according to Scripture.

Among the many occupation-related points you could communicate to your audience in this informative speech are the nature of the work, the training or credentials required, employment-related trends,future outlook there, pay scale, etc.

Other Topic Selection Criteria: Your topic must satisfy not only the preceding criteria, but also the topic selection criteria set forth in the course reading materials and the Liberty University Online Honor Code. In addition, yourtopic must comply with the following:

• Choose a Topic You Can Address Ethically: Avoid any topic that leads you to portray legally or ethically questionable texts or behaviors in a favorable light. This includes but is not limited to theses that advance sexually promiscuous activity, the use of illegal substances, or other behaviors that Liberty University's statement of values prohibits. Questions about the appropriateness of topics, sources, etc. should be directed to your instructor early in the speech-planning process.

• Choose a Topic You Can Address Originally: Your speech topics MUST be researched, selected, and delivered primarily for this course and not primarily for, or in conjunction with, a presentation for a church group, a Sunday School class, a social group, or any other small group. You may not give a speech that serves a double purpose.

• Choose a Topic You Can Address as Required by the Instructions: You must choose a topic that enables you to construct the speech in a way that satisfies the specific requirements of the Speeches Grading Rubric, which lists the criteria that your instructor will use when grading your presentation.

2. Form a thesis statement and research the topic.

Please note the following:

Process Overview:To do this, you should do the following:

(1) Form a preliminary thesis-a single-sentence statement that succinctly proposes a a main point about the profiled job field and its potential as a platform for promoting something that God values according to Scripture. Because this functions as your working thesis, you should assume for now that this will be the main point of the speech.

(2) Research credible sources for thesis-related information about your topic.

(3) Finalize your thesis, modifying it if necessary to match what your research disclosed.

(4) Express this finalized thesis as a complete thought in a single-sentence thesis statement.

(5) Choose the information from your research that most powerfully delivers the type of information that this thesis statement requires.

(6) Present this information in a logically sequenced outline of properly documented main points, sub-points, and perhaps even sub-sub-points, using the Informative Speech Outline Template document as your formatting guide.

(7) Your outline in its final form will serve as the blueprint that you mentally must follow while extemporaneously delivering the speech to your audience.

Source-Related Requirements: For your informative speech, you are required touse 3expert sources. You must use and clearlycite examples, illustrations, statistics, quotations from experts, etc. from at least 3 expert sources in this project. An expert source is a person, group of persons, or organization with documentable expertise in the area it addresses. Information from such sources typically derives from personal interviews with credentialed experts or from documentable print and/or electronic publications.

• The Bible as an Expert Source: While you may of course use the Bible as a source when related to your topic, it must be in addition to the 3 required sources.

• Non-Expert Sources: Never use information from anonymous or questionable sources such as Wikipedia or any printed source authored by someone whose credentials for addressing the topic are not clearly established.

• Liberty University Database Source Options: It behooves you to consult the Liberty University Library's research portal for access to many useful, credible databases.

3. Organize your information in the form of a conventional speech outline.

After you have finished your topic-related research and found what you believe to be enough credible information to support your original thesis statement or a modified version of the thesis, begin the process of organizing it in the form of a speech outline.

Be sure to satisfy the following guidelines:

Create a Draft Outline and then a Final Outline: The speech outline process involves 2 submissions. If you post theoptional draft outline, your instructor will provide constructive feedback to it that can help you create a stronger final outline. Submit each outline via its designated Blackboard submission link during the module/week when it is due.

Use Topical Pattern to Order Your Content:For the informative speech outline and speech, you must use Topicalorganizational pattern for addressing your topic. See your course materials for more about this pattern.

Include All Essential Outline Sections:These include the following:

• The introduction must be listed in this order: your attention-getter, credibility statement, thesis statement, and preview statement.

• The body must include 2-5 main points, each with supportive subpoints, and perhaps even sub-subpoints.These will consist mainly of documented examples, illustrations, statistics, quotations from experts, etc. that you have derived from the 4 or more expert sources that this project requires.

• The conclusion must include a summary statement, a call to action, and a concluding element that refocuses the audience's attention on the thesis.

• The Works Cited (MLA), Reference page (APA), or Bibliography (Turabian) must properly credit your sources and must do so in the format prescribed by the respective format used.

Document Your Sources Properly:Do so both in the outline itself and on an end-of-document source citation page.

• Use In-Text and End-Page Citations: Whether you directly quote, summarize, or paraphrase information from another source, always explicitly acknowledge the source from which you derived the information.

4. Practice presenting your outline content as an extemporaneous speech.

Guidelines for Practicing Your Speech: Please not the following guidelines for this step in the speech preparation and presentation process:

• Record Your Practice Speech(es): The graded speech recording will require you to use a video recording device, so use one when practicing the speech, to help you prepare.

• Keep the Time Frame and Audience Requirements in Mind: Remember as you practice that you are to deliver a 4-6 minute speech to a visually-documented live audience of 3 or more adults.

• Practice Speaking Extemporanously: Practice delivering your speech extemporaneously (i.e., spontaneously and naturally) since you will not be permitted to read the speech to your audience.

• Prepare and Use Notecards: You may use notecards for occasional reference during the speech presentation, if needed. Do not use visually distracting alternatives to notecards, like full sheets of paper or digital devices.

• Practice Your Visual Presentation Skills: Maintain strong posture, gestures, and eye contact with the audience and you must avoid any visually or aurally distracting mannerisms while speaking.

• Practice Your Aural Presentation Skills:You must use an effective volume, pitch, rate, and vocal delivery during the presentation.

• Practice with Your Visual Aid:You must properly use a visual aid during your speech delivery.

5. Record the informative speech presentation.

Speech Recording and Submission Process: Recordthe version of your speech presentation that you wish to submit for grading and post it to Blackboard via YouTube. Please note the following regarding this:

What You Need for This Step: Before you begin, be sure you have the following essentials:

• A functioning video camera with audio/video capture capability

• A well-lit room where you can present the recorded speech to your audience

• Space that enables you to stand 8-15 feet from the camera while recording the speech

• A physically present live audience of 3 or more adults

• Notecards (3" x 5" is the ideal size), for occasional reference during the speech

• A makeshift lectern (if desired)

• Your required visual aid, to add meaning or impact to part of your presentation

What to Remember as You Record Your Speech:

• Have an audience member start the camera for you, when you are ready.

• Position the camera person 8-15 feet from where you will speak

• The unpaused recording must begin by showing your audience members and then must sweep toward you as you then begin to deliver the speech.

• Remain visible and audible throughout the entire speech

• Your recording must be continuous; do not pause or stop the camera till you are done.

• Speak extemporaneously! DO NOT READ YOUR SPEECH!Speeches that appear to be read may be deemed unqualified for grading.

• Use effective kinesics(posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact) to add meaning or impact to your presentation.

• Use effective vocalics (volume, pitch, tone, rate, and pauses) to add meaning or impact to your presentation.

• Use the visual aid, when relevant, to add meaning or impact to your presentation.

• Avoid any visually or aurally distracting mannerisms while speaking.