Date:

See Syllabus for dates; see the Speech 8 Schedule for your date

Points:

Speech = 150

Outline = 25

Length:

7-9 minutes (absolute minimum 4:30, maximum 6:30)

Type:

Speech 8 is a Persuasive Speech

Topic:

Student Choice; Persuade the Audience about a question of policy (individual, group, or societal policy)

Outline:

Detailed Speech 8 Outline Required

A “Delivery Outline” is also Required for Speech 8

Deliverables:

Hardcopy AND E-mailed versions of:
1) Speech 8 Outline (due 7 days before your speech date)
2) Speech 8 PPT Slides, and a
3) Speech 8 Delivery Outline (2 & 3 are due the day of your speech)
You must also provide your instructor your Speech 8 ‘Red’ form

Support:

You choose (quotes, stats, definitions, metaphors, examples, & stories)

Delivery:

All behaviors practiced so far

Position:

At Computer / Lectern, but move as appropriate

Structure

You Choose (you can use PowerPoint, but it is not required)

Guidelines & Ground Rules for Speech 8

Speech 8 is the primary “Persuasive" speech. Full details are in the Student Handbook. The assignment involves:

 - a 7-9 minute speech (typically, using PowerPoint slides)

 - persuade our student audience about your chosen topic

 - you must make a logical argument for some change (in personal behavior, law, policy, custom, or thinking).

 - remember what we discussed in class: follow the steps in the speech making process as described by Beebe and Beebe (2006).

 - I recommend you use Monroe’s Motivated Sequence if you want the audience to BEHAVE differently after the speech (that is, if your speech involves a call to action to solve some problem).

 - I recommend you use the problem/solution approach to structuring an argument if you simply want the audience to THINK differently after the speech (that is, change the way they think about something). NOTE: the problem/solution argument still needs to be rigorous and persuasive

 - a speech is a lot like a term paper in at least one way – you have to do some serious research to construct an effective persuasive speech.

 - the outline, and your speech, MUST demonstrate that you can apply as many of the basic principles of speech construction and delivery as possible.

 - remember to use some of the rhetorical devices / components we’ve discussed and practiced already this semester (quotations, statistics, definitions, analogies, and especially examples). The best examples are stories and the very best examples are YOUR personal stories, which can be used to make a wide variety of points.

Topics

Choosing a Topic:
 - put the audience first: choose a topic about which your audience might be persuadable
 - choose something novel, different, or not generally known to your classmates
 - what do you want the audience to think or do differently after your speech?
 - I recommend you avoid well-known or controversial topics, from war to cafeteria food – your audience members have probably made up their minds about that
 - if you choose an important but non-controversial topic, it can be interesting and the audience may well no yet have a position of it
 - you must make a logical argument for some change (in personal behavior, law, policy, custom, or thinking)
 - keep it simple. One central idea and three main ideas are plenty. You don’t need to tackle relativity theory to be assured of enough material
 - this is a persuasive speech. You must make a good faith effort to “close the sale” – persuade people of your point of view
 - as always, stay away from controversial topics. More often than not, they get in the way of improving our public speaking.

Required Outlines

The primary (complete) Speech 8 Outline:
 - note the examples in the Student Handbook (and the level of detail required)
 - this outline is due 7 days before your speech (hardcopy and e-mailed version)

The Speech 8 Delivery Outline:
- you may use notes during your presentation – but only your “Delivery Outline” (see Beebe & Beebe, pp. 242-249)

 - the Delivery Outline should include the information you need help remembering during the presentation – your attention grabber, your strong close, your segues/transitions, your Central Idea and Main Ideas
 - practice your speech a couple times – then you’ll know what to include in your delivery outline.

Additional Guidelines

Reminders for everyone about Speech 8:

 - remember to state your Central Idea early (and multiple times)
 - remember to summarize all your main points at the end
 - feel free to get creative with your PPT presentation
 - feel free to have some fun and entertain us, too
 - PowerPoint MUST be able to find any file or clip on your CD or flash drive – Test it!
 - Remember to have an “attention-grabber” as your opener (e.g., the suspenseful beginning of a story, a relevant quote, a provocative question)

 - remember to have a strong close

Missing Your Assigned Speech Day

I will strictly enforce the rules about giving your speech when it is assigned. Each student is responsible for ensuring that you're ready on the assigned date. If you will miss your scheduled date, you are responsible for contacting me and telling me - in advance. Missed speaking dates (without a formal excuse and contacting me before your scheduled date) cost a letter grade.

Prepare your speech
 - choose your topic and central idea first, then use examples (stories) to make your point

 - you should have the Delivery Outline handy during practice

Practice your speech
 - good speakers practice their speeches multiple times

Deliver your speech
As always, we continue the behaviors from previous speeches:
   a)  making eye contact until all hands are lowered
   b)  pausing at the end to connect with the audience and accept the applause
   c)  scanning the audience and making eye contact continually during your speech
   d)  use (at least some) hand gestures intentionally as you speak, for illustration or emphasis
   e)  move fluidly - take a step or two occasionally – as appropriate.