Test-Out Speech

Length: 8-10 Minutes

Goal: Develop a policyfocused speech on a topic that is two-sided, with the goal of changing the attitudes, values, and/or actions of your audience in a well-organized, audience-oriented presentation.

Skills to demonstrate:

  1. Illustrate that you know the difference between informative and persuasive approaches.
  2. Organize the speech! -- Use an appropriate organizational pattern for the claim of policy you are making.
  3. Research the topic -- you'll need three outside references. You may use one web site as a reference.
  4. Develop a specific purpose statement and central idea.
  5. Outline the speech in proper outlining form for your preparation outline.
  6. Select and develop an audio/visual aid that supports and extends your message.
  7. Develop a bibliography page

10. Come up with a compelling attention getter and ending statement

11. Make an appeal to emotion.

12. Decide on the reasoning method that you will use (Cha. 16).

13. Provide a Call to Action

14. Develop a speaking outline.

15. Deliver the speech extemporaneously.

Guidelines:

An introduction with...

  • An attention getter
  • A credibility statement
  • A thesis / central idea --
  • A relevancy statement
  • A preview
  • A transition to the body

The body of the speech should have...

  • An appropriate organizational pattern, based on the claim that you are making
  • An emotional appeal (which doesn't have to be in the body; it could be in the introduction or conclusion)
  • Distinct main points
  • Transitions between main points
  • An internal summary or an internal preview
  • Oral footnotes, which means citing your references ALOUD in the body of your speech (and in the introduction/conclusion if you use any there).

A conclusion that includes the following:

  • A summary of the main points of the speech
  • Restatement of thesis / central idea
  • An ending with a "clincher" or memorable statement

Delivery....

  • Make eye contact! -- look at everyone in the room.
  • Be enthusiastic and expressive.
  • Be extemporaneous: don't read your notes.
  • Gesture. Don't just be a talking head.
  • Try to avoid the “um's”, “er’s”, “uh’s” etc.
  • Use your voice: Change your rate, change your volume. Pause. Be dramatic.
  • Try to move out from behind the podium. Move from one side of the room to another when making a new point.
  • PRACTICE ! And then practice some more! The practice makes a difference…

Your speech will be assessed as pass/fail based on the following items. See the Comm 111 Score Sheet for more specifics.

Item / Requirement
Time / 8-10 minutes
# of sources required / At least 3
Preparation Outline required / Best Practices
Visual/Audio Aids / 2