Informative speech “How avoid losing money on investments?”

-Topic: “How avoid losing money on investments”

-Specific Purpose and center idea

-Outline

-manuscript

CASD 2623 Informative Speech Assignment

150 points (Manuscript 100; Draft & Final Outlines 50)

For this assignment you will submit an outline and a manuscript of your speech that you would have presented in front of your classmates. In addition, you would submit a draft outline and thesis for peer feedback in Blackboard. Preparation outline – is a blueprint which helps you to prepare for your speech. Writing an outline helps you to decide what you will say in the introduction, how you will organize the main points and supporting materials in the body, and what you will say in the conclusion. It helps to ensure that you have adequate supporting materials for your main points, that related items are together and that your ideas flow from one another. Speech Manuscript – this is a prepared statement word for word of your speech. It follows the sequence of your preparation outline. Your speech should not sound like an essay read to your audience. It is less formal, more interactive and typically uses simpler sentences. Avoid highly complex language that may confuse your audience. Remember the difference between oral and written styles when constructing your speech. Write this as though you were delivering your actual speech. The general purpose of this speech is to inform. Generally, the speaker must:

1) Provide the audience with a CLEAR UNDERSTANDING of the speaker’s view of the subject. 2) Arouse and maintain the INTEREST and ATTENTION of the audience. 3) Present the material with a focus on audience COMPREHENSION, NOT PERSUASION.

When your speech is over, your audience should feel that they received greater breadth and depth of information on the subject than they had before you spoke. You are expected to research your topic thoroughly and provide us with a thoughtful and interesting view of the topic you select. You are not to try and convince us of how we should feel or what we should believe about the topic, nor are you to try and convince us to alter our behavior concerning your topic. That would be a persuasive function, and should not be applied to this speech. Fundamentally, you are to become the expert on your topic from our class, and teach us what you know and learned about it.

Humor and creativity are often overlooked by informative speakers. If your subject is light, humor certainly has a place in your speech. Just be certain to put it in the proper perspective so that the speech does not become an entertainment speech. Additionally, any time you can present an abstract or complex idea in a new and clearer way, your creativity will be rewarded by audience interest and your own enhanced credibility.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT:

1. Each student will prepare a speech which will provide information that is new and interesting to your audience and designed to enlighten, educate or clarify. The topic you select must be related to business activities. Make certain that it can be covered adequately in the time available. You must make the connection between your topic and yourself for your audience in the introduction of your speech. Doing so is especially important in establishing your credibility on the topic. Even though you may claim you are an expert on a topic, you are required to do research and to cite that research (which will also increase your credibility).

2. A thesis statement consisting of a full declarative sentence specifying the central idea of your speech must be must be submitted on the Blackboard Discussion Board for peers in your group to give feedback. Use Tip for Writing your Specific Purpose/Central Idea as a guide.

3. You must have at least three (3) main points to support your thesis/central idea. Your main points will be further developed by using supporting sub-points.

4. Research thoroughly. You must have a minimum of four (4) reliable sources outside of your own knowledge on your subject. You should cite research sources during your speech, using oral notes such as “according to” to indicate that you have done the research for the speech.

5. Use verbal support. You are to include at least two different forms of support in your speech. The following are examples of different types of support: statistics, testimony, narrative, reports and anecdotes.

6. Provide a at least one meaningful visual aid. Aids do add interest but make sure that they are incorporated smoothly into the presentation. List them as exhibit 1, 2, 3 and so forth into your speech. See the speech manuscript on Flexible Spending Plan as a guide on how you can incorporate your visual aid. You can also attach them at the end of your speech.

7. The speech is to be 4 to 6 minutes long. This should be between 650 to 800 words. Read it aloud to make sure it fits within the time allotted.

8. Outline Requirement a. A typed, full-sentence copy of a preparation outline is due. Your final outline should follow the format

in the How to Prepare Your Outline guide. Refer to outlines for 4D Printing and Beneficial Bacteria as examples.

b. The outline should include a statement describing the specific purpose of your speech, a statement describing the central idea of your speech, a detailed account of the main and sub-points of your speech (divided into introduction, body, and conclusion), notations about your verbal and non-verbal choices throughout the speech, and a bibliography that includes citations to all sources mentioned in the speech.

c. Beforehand you will submit a draft at the Blackboard Discussion Board for peers in your group to give feedback. Write their suggestions and make revisions as needed for your final outline.

9. Speech Manuscript Requirement

a. A typed, full-sentence copy of your speech manuscript is due. Refer to the manuscripts on 4D Printing, Flexible Spending Plans, and Securing Yourself Online as examples.

b. Your speech should follow the sequence of your outline. It must begin with an introduction which contains an attention getter, orienting material, an explicit thesis statement, and preview. The body which contains the main and sub-points of your speech and notations about visual or audio support. The conclusion must contain a summary of the main points made and a clincher. Sections should be connected by transition statements which review the point just made and preview the upcoming material.

c. The research contained in the bibliography of your outline is to be reflected within the speech by use of oral citations. Research thoroughly. You should cite research sources during your speech, using oral notes such as “according to” to indicate that you have done the research for the speech.

Remember that, for an informative speech to be considered exemplary, the information contained within it should be communicated accurately and clearly and should be made meaningful and interesting to the audience. Moreover, remember that your informative speech should be thoroughly researched, logically organized, and have an effective beginning, middle, and end.

OUTLINING YOUR SPEECH (A Sample)

Your Name Date CASD 2623 Informative Speech

Title of Speech Specific Purpose: [Write a specific purpose that expresses in action form what you hope to achieve with your speech.]

Introduction

I. Attention Getting Device: [The very first statement that comes out of the speaker’s mouth; the first thing we hear you say or see you do. Should engage your audience and draw them into your speech]

– rhetorical question (doesn’t require an answer; makes audience think about the topic) – story (contains set up, climax and outcome. Everyone wants to hear a good story esp. if it is told with suspense and conflict. Stories can be about real or hypothetical events of the past or

present time)

– startling statement (intended to surprise your audience)

– startling statistics (intended to surprise your audience)

– humor (make sure it is related to a point you are going to make in your speech. This will keep you from becoming a flop, or your joke or humorous statement doesn’t work)

II. Relevance: [give the audience a reason to listen to your speech. Motivate them by telling them the reason the topic is relevant to their lives]

III. Credibility: [Tell us why you are qualified to give the speech. Have you worked on the project, taken a class, or conducted research on the topic?]

IV. Thesis Statement/Central Idea: [A single declarative statement capsuling the central idea or specific purpose of your speech]

V. Main Points: [a way of forecasting your main points to your audience. List each of the main points you will cover in your speech. Sometimes, the thesis statement and the preview are combined.]

Transition: [Write a transition that will help your audience make the connection to your main points.]

Body [List main ideas to prove your assertion and supporting ideas to prove your main ideas; must have at least 3 main points to support your thesis]

I. [Main Point (strongest)] (* Note any visual aid(s) you plan to include) A. [sub-point] Supporting material (Smith, 2017) (Support to prove your main point – use statistics, stories, reports, etc.; must have 2 to 5 supporting points for each

main point) 1. [sub-sub-point] (* Note visual aids) 2. [sub-sub-point] (* Note visual aids)

B. [sub-point] (* Note visual aids) 1. [sub-sub-point] (* Note visual aids) 2. [sub-sub-point] (* Note visual aids)

C. [sub-point] (* Note visual aids) 1. [sub-sub-point] (* Note visual aids) 2. [sub-sub-point] (* Note visual aids)

Transition: [Write a sentence that will help your audience connect one main point to the next. Closing off main point one and opening main point two.]

II. [Second Main Point (second strongest)] A. [sub-point] Supporting material (Lu, 2016)

1. [sub-sub-point] 2. [sub-sub-point]

B. [sub-point] Supporting material (Goldsmith, 2017) 1. [sub-sub-point] 2. [sub-sub-point]

C. [sub-point] Supporting material (Adams, 2015) 1. [sub-sub-point] 2. [sub-sub-point]

Transition: [Closing off main point two and opening main point three.]

II. [Third Main Point (weakest)] A. [sub-point]

1. [sub-sub-point] 2. [sub-sub-point]

B. [sub-point] 1. [sub-sub-point 2. [sub-sub-point]

Conclusion

(Transition into conclusion; Signal for ending)

I. Closing Signal: [Signal the close of your speech.]

II. Review Main Points/Thesis/Topic: [Review/summary/reiteration of main ideas. Tell us what you talked about.]

III. Closing Statement: [Make the conclusion memorable. This is the last thing we will hear you say. It will end your presentation.]

Bibliography

(Consult APA or MLA style manual)

NOTE: DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE WHERE YOU WILL USE AN AUDIO OR VISUAL AID AND WHAT IT WILL BE.

NOTES

General Format: 1” margins 12 pt. Times New Roman font Single-spaced Heading (top right corner of the page): Your Name Date SPEC 2623 Informative Speech Title of Speech: Center and bold below the heading. Specific Purpose: Italicize the label Specific Purpose: then write your specific purpose in regular font (no italics). Central Idea/Thesis Statement: Italicize the label Central Idea: then write your central idea in regular font (no italics). Introduction, Body, Conclusion labels: Bold and center the labels Introduction, Body, Conclusion. The main points and sub-points will follow each of these labels. Symbolization and Indentation: Label main points with Roman Numerals (e.g. I, II, III, IV) Label sub-points with capital letters (e.g. A, B, C, D) Label sub-sub-points with numbers (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4) Label sub-sub-sub-points with lowercase letters (e.g. a, b, c, d) Each lower level should be three spaces indented from the previous level. For example, sub-points will be below and three spaces indented to the right of main points. Sub-subpoints will be below and three spaces indented to the right of sub-points. Main Points and Sub-points: Write in complete sentences. Connectives: Label them as, for example, Transition, Signpost, etc. in italics. Put the full connective including the label in parentheses. Bibliography: MLA or APA format

Writing Your Specific Purpose and Central Idea (Thesis) General Purpose

 When the general purpose is to inform, speakers act as teachers.

 When the general purpose is to persuade, speakers act as advocates. Once the general purpose is clear, the next step is narrowing to the specific purpose. Formulating the Specific Purpose Statement

 The specific purpose should indicate precisely what the speaker wants the audience to know or believe after the speech.

 There are five tips for forming a good specific purpose statement. 1. It should be a full infinitive phrase, not a fragment.

Ineffective: Avalanches More effective: To inform my audience about the three major kinds of avalanches.

2. It should be phrased as a statement, not a question. Ineffective: What is an Individual Retirement Account? More effective: To inform my audience about the types and benefits of Individual Retirement Accounts.

3. It should avoid figurative language.

Ineffective: To inform my audience that the campus policy on student parking really stinks. More Effective: To inform my audience about the college plans to reduce the number of spaces available to students.

4. It should be limited to one distinct idea. Ineffective: To inform my audience about the benefits of becoming literacy tutors and to donating time to Meals on Wheels. More effective: To persuade my audience to become literacy tutors. More effective: To persuade my audience to donate time to Meals on Wheels.

You can use the word “and” if it connects to the two related parts or a unified topic. E.g.: To inform my audience about the cause and effects of epilepsy.

5. It should not be too vague or general.

Ineffective: To inform my audience about Portugal. More effective: To inform my audience about the major tourist attractions in Portugal.

Once you have a specific purpose statement, you should ask yourself the following questions: 1. Does the specific purpose meet the assignment? 2. Can this specific purpose be accomplished effectively in the time allotted? 3. Is the specific purpose relevant to the audience? 4. Is the specific purpose too trivial for the audience? 5. Is the specific purpose too technical for the audience?

Phrasing the Central Idea

 The central idea further refines and sharpens the specific purpose statement.  The central idea is a concise statement of what the speaker expects to say in the speech.  Often called a thesis statement, the central idea encapsulates the main points to be developed in the body of the speech.

 Unlike the specific purpose statement, the central idea usually crystallizes late in the process of preparing a speech.

 A well‐worded central idea should meet four criteria: 1. It should be expressed in a full sentence.

Ineffective: Uses of laser. More effective: The laser is a highly versatile device with important uses in many areas, including medicine, industry, telecommunications, and art.

2. It should not be in the form of a question.

Ineffective: What are nanorobots? More effective: Microscopic in size, nanorobots are being developed for use in medicine, weaponry, and daily life.

3. It should avoid figurative language. Ineffective: South Africa is an awesome place for a vacation. More effective: South Africa has many attractions for vacationers, including beautiful scenery, exotic wildlife, and bustling cities.

4. It should not be too vague or general. Examples General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson. Central Idea: Thomas Jefferson was an accomplished writer, president, and architect. Main Points: I. As a writer, Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and

Notes on the State of Virginia. II. As president, Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase and approved the Lewis and Clark expedition.

III. As an architect, Jefferson designed Monticello and the University of Virginia. General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the benefits of the proposed youth center. Central Idea: The youth center will offer teenagers a safe, social, flexible, and free place to

spend their time. Main Points: I. The youth center will offer a range of activities in a safe environment.

II. The youth center will provide social networks for youths from all walks of life. III. The youth center will operate most hours of the day and night. IV. The youth center will be free and open to everyone.