Unsolved Mystery Speeches

Everyone loves a good mystery. As a fun speech assignment, you will be researching an unsolved mystery topic. Haven’t you always wondered what happens in Area 51? What about Tupac? Is he really dead? What about Urban Legends? True or tale?

You will research your given topic and then present a speech to the class about your unsolved mystery. Possibly, you might even offer your own solution!!!

You will be given two days of research in the library. (Thurs. & Friday) If you need extra time, you will need to go outside of the school day. You must choose your topic from one of the following:

Holy GrailJack the RipperBermuda Triangle

JFK assassinationElvis (dead?)Jersey Devil

StonehengeLoch NessJFK Jr. Plane Crash

UFO’sContinent of AtlantisThe Mary Celeste

Big FootRoswell/Area 51

Amelia EarhartEaster Island

1.Monday April 6th, in class, you will begin your outline, introduction, and conclusion. You may

begin this step before April 6th if you like.

2. Tuesday, April 7th, your rough draft outline, intro and conclusion is due and class time will be

spent conferencing with me to check outlines. Final drafts of outlines will be due

Wednesday, April 8th.

3.Outlines will then be transferred to notecards. Your notecards are due Thursday, April 9th.

4.You will be given time in class on Friday to work on your visual aids. Bring everything you need

with you to work on them.

5.Monday, April 13th we will begin speeches. Students will be chosen randomly.

GUIDELINES FOR SPEECH:

1.Speech must be between 5 & 7 minutes in length. No longer or shorter. You will be stopped

after 7 minutes so as to give time to other students.

2.You must use at least one visual aid. Any others will be considered for extra credit depending

on the excellence of the visual.

3.YOUR INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION must be memorized. I do not want you to look at

the notecards for that part.

4.When turning in your final draft, make sure all your spelling and grammar are correct. Also double check that you have enough supporting material for each main point. Be sure to

include a works cited page with your final draft. All sources must be cited.

5.Other important aspects of giving speeches include: eye contact, gestures, standing still, not

swaying, holding your cards correctly, your presence, and your DRESS. You must dress

appropriately when giving this speech.

RUBRIC

  1. INTRODUCTION
  2. Get the attention of your audience___/10
  3. State your topic and purpose___/10
  4. Preview your speech and main points___/10
  1. BODY
  2. State main ideas___/10
  3. Present supporting material

At least 2 for each main point___/10

c. develop each point___/10

  1. provide transitions so the audience can

clearly follow your speech___/10

  1. CONCLUSION
  2. Restate your main ideas___/10
  3. Stress your central idea in a memorable way___/10
  1. VISUAL
  2. Cleverly designed/attractively presented___/10
  3. Font is clear/visual is large enough to read___/5
  4. Appealing enough to hold audience___/5
  5. Visual is only revealed when necessary___/5
  6. Everything is set up AHEAD OF TIME___/5
  1. MOVEMENT/POSTURE/VOICE
  2. Frequent eye contact with audience___/5
  3. Does not depend on notes___/5
  4. Uses gestures___/5
  5. Does not sway or use too much body movement___/5
  6. Voice is clear and concise, can understand well___/5
  7. Speaks slowly and clearly___/5

2 points will be deducted for every 30 seconds under time. If you have to be stopped, you will be deducted whatever you missed in the speech.

TOTAL___/150

X 2 (double)

___/300