Objectives: 
1. Develop an Informative speech topic.
2. Develop and Apply effective research and organizational skills in
    preparing a speech.
3. Analyze your Audience and adapt your message to your audience
4. Develop and Effectively use a Visual Aid to assist you in clarifying 
    and supporting your ideas.
5. Practice delivery and presentation skills. 
6. Inform, teach, and create understanding in your audience.

This speech is an informative presentation.  Your goal is to inform and teach your audience about your topic.  Focus on one type of informative speech: OBJECTS, EVENTS, CONCEPTS, OR A PROCESS.  First and foremost -- select a topic that is interesting to you.  It helps if you are knowledgeable on your topic, however, you can become knowledgeable on any topic through research.  You want to also choose a topic that will be intellectually stimulating to your audience.  Always Consider your audience--every step of the way.  Use the Audience Centered Approach to public speaking.   All Topics MUST BE CLEARED WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  I want to know ASAP what your topic is so that I can help you prepare.  The sooner I know what your topic is the sooner I can help you.  A good place to start is on the Public Speakers' Web Site on the Speech Preparation Page.

Gathering Information:
Hopefully, you will be knowledgeable on your topic already.  However, part of your assignment is to find additional sources.  You are "required" to have at least 4 sources.  You are not an additional source.  An interview (using your interview skills and a schedule) would be an excellent source and I encourage you to interview an outside source for your speech.  There are many sources available in the Library and the Reference Librarians are waiting to help you find them.  Include the sources that you will cite in your speech in your reference section.  Please use complete citations.  APA or MLA format is required for your citations.  If you aren't familiar with these style of citations you can ask your local Librarian for clarification or your can find some excellent examples online.

Audience Analysis:
You will also gather information about your audience based on your topic.  You will do this by putting together a questionnaire for each member of your audience. You can find more information on analyzing your audience, and an example of an Audience Analysis Questionnaire on the Analyzing Your Audience web page.

Organizing and Outlining your Information:
You will outline the information that you want to present to your audience into an informative speaking preparation outline.  This is a detailed preparation outline that we will discuss in class.  Also available to you will be several outlining handouts including a sample outline, outlining guidelines, using connectives, a fill in the blank outline guide with all the labels and elements, and a checklist to help you prepare and organize your informative speech.  The final draft of the Informative Preparation outline is due on the due date in your schedule.  I strongly encourage you to start work on this process as soon as possible.  I also encourage you to come by my office with a draft of your outline one month before the final is due so that I can give you feedback on your outline.

From your Preparation Outline you will develop a Speaking Outline.  Your speaking outline is a "bare-bones" version of your preparation outline.  You use the identical visual framework and same elements (Roman numerals, upper-case letters, Arabic numerals, and lower-case letters.  You will not have as much detailed information on the speaking outline.  You will use phrases, fragments and in some cases just one word.  By the time you are ready to present your speech you will know your information so well that the speaking outline is just a guide to keep you on track. 
You will include visual cues in the speaking outline and the font will be at least 20 point.  You will use ample space and create an easy to use speaking outline.  This is the outline you will use to present from on speech day. 

Visual Aids:
You will use a visual aid to assist you in clarifying and supporting your ideas during your presentation.  A visual aid is used to clarify, support, and explain visually.  It should not be the focal point of the presentation.  Come up with the speech then think about the visual aid.  We will talk about visual aids.  There are many types of visuals to choose from: slides, graphs, charts, pictures (large enough), flip-charts, models, diagrams, PowerPoint, overheads, etc....DO NOT USE THE CHALKBOARD.

Ten Tips for the use of visual aids:
1. Prepare visual aids in advance. 
2. Use Dark ink, Broad tip pens, Large lettering. 
3. Display where ALL can see. 
4. Don't pass visuals among audience during speech 
5. Explain visual aids clearly and concisely. 
6. Make sure the visual aids are large enough.
7. Avoid distracting colors or pastel colors.
8. Keep them simple and clear Not cluttered.
9. Talk to the audience, not to the visual aid.
10. Practice several times aloud with your visual aid(s).

Informative Speech Materials to be turned in for points:

• Audience analysis questionnaire including one for each classmate. 
• Preparation outline.
• Speaking outline.
• 3 to 5 Peer evaluations will be done in class and given to the speaker.  You must be present to evaluate your peers.
• Your Self evaluation is due ASAP or no later than the scheduled due date after your speech.  Late evaluations will not be accepted.

You will also do a self evaluation of your own informative speech after viewing your videotape of your speech.  This is your final opportunity in this class to write a clear, concise, comprehensive evaluation of your speech –make it count.