Speech Introduction Group Activity Guidelines

Total Participants: There are approximately $17$ students present for the activity.
Breakout Room Structure:
- The instructor initially considered forming $4$ groups (which would result in $3$ groups of $4$ and $1$ group of $5$ ).
- Due to the concern that a group of $5$ might be too large, the instructor opted to create $5$ groups.
- These $5$ groups will consist of a mix of $3$ and $4$ members each.

Primary Task: Each group must select one topic from a provided list and develop a formal speech introduction for that specific topic.
Topic Options: Every group will be presented with a list of $5$ topics to choose from. The purpose of providing $5$ topics is to give groups options; a speech introduction is required for only one selected topic, not all five.
Specific Requirements: The introduction must include the first $4$ primary components of a standard speech introduction:
1. Attention Getter: A device to hook the audience immediately.
2. Reason to Listen: A justification for why the topic matters to the audience.
3. Thesis Statement: The core argument or central point of the speech.
4. Credibility Statement: A statement establishing why the speaker is qualified to talk on the subject.
The Fifth Component: The instructor noted that a full speech introduction technically consists of $5$ parts, with the fifth being the Preview Statement. However, the preview statement is being excluded from this specific activity because it is consider relatively easy to construct.

Reason to Listen: This component provides the audience with a specific argument as to why they should care about the topic. It answers the implicit audience question: "Why is it important for me to know about this thing?"
Thesis Statement: A concise summary of the main point or claim of the speech.
Credibility Statement: An explanation of the speaker's connection to or expertise regarding the topic.

Selecting a Topic Set: The instructor has prepared $6$ distinct groups of topics on a notepad.
The Selection Process:
- The instructor will visit each breakout room individually.
- Each group will pick a number from $1$ to $6$ .
- Once a number is chosen, that specific set of topics is removed from the available pool.
- The instructor will then paste the list of $5$ sub-topics into the group's chat.
Collaborative Strategy: Individual groups are encouraged to "divide and conquer" the workload. For example, one member can focus on the attention getter, another on the thesis statement, and another on the reason to listen. This allows the group to work together while distributing specific tasks.

Format: Only one final submission is required per group.
Content of Submission:
1. The full names of all group members.
2. The completed speech introduction (comprising the four required parts) for the single selected topic.

Student Question: "Wait. Why? What are we doing? Sorry. I came in, like, seven minutes late."
Instructor Response: The instructor clarified that the assignment was just being introduced at that moment. The task involves picking one of five topics to write a four-part speech introduction in breakout rooms.
Student Question (Edwin): "What is a reason to listen?"
Instructor Response: The reason to listen makes an argument. It tells the audience why the topic is important for them personally. The instructor explained, "This topic is important because [yada yada yada]."
Student Question (Edwin): "Are we gonna need one of those for, like, our final speech, like, the one about the media?"
Instructor Response: Yes, a reason to listen will be required for the final speech introduction.
Student Question: "So we have to pick, like, four one of them. Right, four options. Right?"
Instructor Response: The instructor corrected the student, noting there are $5$ options provided, but the student is correct that they only select one topic from that list.