Contents:

1. What Happens on Speaking Days?
2. What are Acceptable Topics and Language?
3. What Types of Speeches Will I Be Presenting?
   • Important Influence
   • Favorite Item
   • Introduction of Classmate
   • Impromptu
   • Magic Trick (Graded)
   • Teaching Gig (graded)
   • Speech of Influence (grades)
   • Special Occasion Speech (graded)

Common Requirements for All Speeches

Speaking Days: Students will be assigned speaking days in advance. Students who are unprepared to present on their assigned days will not receive credit for the assignment.

Time Limits: Minimum and maximum time limits for all graded speeches. Time clues will be provided, but it is your responsibility to make sure your presentation falls within the time limit.

Citing Sources: You are required to cite all sources of information outside of your personal experience. Appendix A of your textbook contains examples of how to cite all types of sources.

Notes: After the first speech you are restricted to using 3x5 index cards for speaking notes.

Important Restrictions

You may not advocate actions that are illegal or harmful to the audience. For example, demonstrating how to manufacture chrystal meth in your kitchen is not acceptable.

Also, topics that seek to denigrate individuals or groups create a hostile classroom environment. Hate speech in any form is not acceptable.

Because this is a public classroom within a state-sponsored school, speeches that seek to evangelize a specific religious view are inappropriate. This does not mean that all religious topics are off limits, but care should be taken to respect both the audience and legal obligations. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of your topic, discuss it with me or contact me through email ( swalch@fgcu.edu).

Specific Information for each Assignment

The following speeches are graded as either "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" and count as part of your participation grade.

Important Influence

What's been a big influence in your life? In 1-2 minutes, tell us about the person, place, or thing that made an impact on you. Some examples of topics might be an important book or movie, parents, teachers, friends, places you've traveled, etc. Don't just tell us what, but remember to tell us why this has been influential.

Notes permitted

Favorite Item

What's something that means something special to you? Bring it in and tell us about it (in a structured way, of course)

Notes permitted, but limited to 3x5 cards

Introduction of Classmate

Introduce an assigned classmate to the rest of the class. You'll have time in class to interview your partner, and then take that information to develop a 1-2 minute introduction. You goal is to increase your partner's ethos with the audience.

notecards (3x5) permitted

Magic Trick

Perform a simple magic trick (of your choosing) for the class. The key points for this performance are directing the audience's attention, efficiency and language and movement, and the ability to sound natural in a carefully scripted performance.

Notes are not permitted for this performance. This is a pass/fail graded assignment based on completing the effect.

Impromptu

In class we will explore different strategies for dealing with situations where you have little or no time to prepare a formal speech. Then you will be assigned a topic and have 1-2 minutes to develop and present a message.

notecards (3x5) permitted

The following speeches are traditionally graded - see the syllabus for the point breakdown and grading scale.

The Teaching Gig

The purpose of this assignment is to effectively demonstrate an idea, process, or item to the audience. By the end of your presentation the audience should gain new and useful knowledge.

Time: 10 minutes

Sources:You are requred to cite any source of information beyond your personal experience.

Notes: 3x5 cards permitted

Speech of Influence

Your job is to "sell" an idea/concept/product to the audience. It's important that you analyse the audience and find the "hot buttons" that will help them accept your ideas.

Time: 5 - 10 mins.

Sources: You are requred to cite any source of information beyond your personal experience.

Special Occasion Speech

Note: the powerpoint slides describing the different types of special occasion speeches can be downloaded here

Here's your chance to practice for a real-life situation - the time when you're asked to "say a few words" at a special gathering.

You get to select the occasion and the audience for this presentation.

Time: 5 minutes (max.)

Notes: 3x5 cards only