SUBJECT SELECTION

Choose topic in which you have personal interest

Select topic in which specific research can be developed through periodicals, encyclopedias, pamphlets, magazines, personal interviews, etc.

Narrow broad topic into specific focus

(EX: Instead of "Crime," which is an extremely broad topic, choose "Efforts to Combat The Summer 1997 Murder Rate in Jackson, Tn.")

Choose 3 or 4 key points which you emphasize to support your central theme (for our length speeches, 3 will be best).

GENERAL PURPOSE

In this class, the purpose will be either: (a) to inform, (b) to persuade, (c) to entertain, or (d) to instruct/inform through demonstration

CENTRAL IDEA

A well-written sentence or short paragraph which indicates, in short, what specific information you want your audience to have learned by the end of your speech.

For our speeches, a MINIMUM of 4 references, preferably more

Periodicals, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, books

Television or radio newscasts or special programs

Personal interviews

Internet (limit 2 sources)

Personal knowledge (do not rely on this heavily for your first informative speech, lest you think you can escape without concrete, specific research)

Develop OUTLINE of speech

Introduction

3 or 4 Key Points

Conclusion

Supporting Material

Illustrations (Similarities)

Hypothetical or factual stories to clarify or back facts

Specific Instances

Short, condensed examples to prove points, primarily from your research material

Exposition

Background information on your supporting point, mostly from your research material

Statistics

Numerical information to indicate trends, theories, or frequencies

Do not over-statistic your audience....remember, they're listening by ear and can't retain a lot of stats

Try to round any numbers over five figures to the nearest thousand

Analogy

Comparison of unfamiliar concept to familiar one

EX: "Trying to get rid of an annoying neighbor is often like trying to kill a fly at a picnic. They just keep coming back."

Often referred to as "similes," but for testing purposes in a communications class, analogy is the preferred term.

Quotation/Testimony

Direct quotation or paraphrase from individual

• Expert in field
  
• Politician/celebrity/analyst
  
• Personal interview
  

Specific Dos & Don'ts of Speech Support

***When using statistics or quotations, specifically cite the source from which you gained the statistics; or in the case of a quotation, cite the specific individual, his or her title, and/or the experience which makes the person an expert. Also, cite the source, if applicable.

(EX 1: "In the July 14th issue of U.S. News and World Report, a poll showed 56 per cent of Americans now support easing of current abortion restrictions.")

(EX 2: "In the latest issue of Parents magazine, Dr. Joe Blow says, "The American family is in jeopardy because of some of the excesses it has placed on itself.")

(EX 3: "Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.")


***Do not simply read a long list of quotations or statistics. One or two brief ones are sufficient to support your point. The key thing you want is for your INFORMATION to be precise.

***Use the SAMPLE OUTLINE as a guide to developing your speech outline TO BE TURNED IN TO THE INSTRUCTOR. Do not slap together that outline. Non-specific outlines can count against the overall grade for your speech. They may not be handwritten.

***Use the SAMPLE OUTLINE as a guide on how to list references. You are not required to list them in alphabetical order....but you are asked to be specific and precise with your printed material.

***In the case of a personal interview, the proper form would be: Personal interview with Dr. Jane Smith, psychologist, Jackson, Tn., Jan. 25, 1993.

***In the case of Internet resources, you should use any title of material, if available, and the specific Internet address. (EX: "Tennessee Law Enforcement Association Page," http://www.tlea.org). Please do not create phony online addresses. Your professor will check the computer for accuracy, a task which is not time-consuming to do.

USE THE UNION LIBRARY as extensively as possible for your research material. Consult with the librarian on duty for help on your topic. He or she can help you do a computer search to find where the latest periodical material is available. Please ask them. If you do not know how to use the Internet, if you are a freshmen, ask for help during your library tour in CLU class. If you are not having that until later in the quarter, or you are a sophomore or upperclassman, please ask for a short instruction from Mr. Steve Baker in the library. He will be expecting you!


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