COMM1310 10/7

Assignment Overview

  • Informative presentation assignment details.

  • Delivery settings and timing specifics.

    • Presentations to be delivered in labs, not in front of a large audience.

    • Presentation duration: 5 to 7 minutes.

    • Aim for approximately 6 minutes for flexibility, with penalties for exceeding or falling short of the time.

Goals and Audience Consideration

  • Present on a topic of personal interest that also relates to the audience.

  • Emphasize the importance of considering the audience's interests when selecting a topic.

Structure of Presentations

  • Each presentation should consist of three main points that delve into the topic more deeply.

  • Organizational patterns will be discussed in Chapter 12.

Source Requirements

  • Minimum of three credible sources required for the presentation.

    • More sources are encouraged for depth.

  • Discussion of research methods and source citation format will occur in Chapter 13.

Assignments and Grading

  • Assignment components:

    • Topic selection assignment worth 10 points.

    • Locate details on page 49 of your guidebook.

    • Informative outline preparation worth 25 points.

    • Must be a comprehensive outline, not just bullet points.

  • The speech itself is worth 100 points, with rubrics being released in the upcoming classes.

  • Total points available: 140 points.

Resources

  • Multiple resources for preparation will be provided:

    • Example outlines.

    • Sample speeches.

    • A folder titled "Informative Presentation Assignment" on Canvas for access to necessary documents and rubrics.

Outline Format

  • Standard outline format will include:

    • Introduction:

    • Attention-getter: Captivates the audience.

    • Relevance statement: Why the audience should care about the topic.

    • Credibility statement: Author's qualifications or background on the topic.

    • Central idea: The core message of the speech.

    • Initial preview: Brief overview of the three main points that will be covered.

    • Conclusion:

    • Transition to conclusion, restating the central message and summarizing points.

    • End with a memorable closing statement or quote.

Source Citation

  • At least three credible sources required, using APA style.

    • In-text citations to be included in both the outline and the spoken presentation.

    • Citation generators are available for assistance.

Delivery Preparation

  • Tips for effective presentation delivery:

    • Do not procrastinate your speaking notes; they should be well-prepared ahead of time.

    • Emphasize practicing with your notes to avoid relying on tiny text that may lead to confusion.

Managing Public Speaking Anxiety

  • Recognition that many experience public speaking anxiety, which can be managed through:

    • Preparation: Becoming familiar with the material to reduce nervousness.

    • Audience focus: Shifting attention from personal anxiety toward engaging the audience.

    • Rehearsal: Practicing aloud before the presentation.

Understanding Public Speaking Processes

  • General Purpose: Understand the aim (to inform, persuade, entertain).

  • Specific Purpose: More narrowly defined goals relating to what audience will understand from the speech.

  • Central Idea: The main argument of the speech, distinct from specific purposes which guide the speaker's content and direction.

Topic Selection and Guidelines

  • Avoid topics prone to persuasion or controversy, such as:

    • Health and diet

    • Politics or religion

  • Suggested topic categories:

    • Objects: Examples such as a type of wine or automobile specs.

    • People: Focus on extraordinary individuals with added narrative, not solely statistics.

    • Events: Discuss significant historical occurrences.

    • Ideas or challenges: Topics relating to entrepreneurship or trust.

Topic Narrowing Example

  • Starting with a broad topic (e.g., wine) that needs refining:

    • Move from "wine" to "red wine" to refine the speech focus further (e.g., specifying Kyoto Noir).

  • Establish three main points to structure the speech around (e.g., how it's made, its growing regions, and food pairings).

Conclusion and Support

  • Effective speeches require supporting details:

    • Definitions, descriptions, statistics, and expert opinions enhance the speech.

    • Reinforce the central idea through structured arguments and relevant research support.

Resources and Preparation Reinforcement

  • Emphasize the importance of utilizing available resources for preparation and feedback to improve the quality of the speech and enhance overall performance.

  • Deadlines will be essential for managing multiple components effectively during this assignment process.