Informative Speaking Assignment

Assignment at a Glance

--5-7 minutes in length

--at least one visual aid required

--at least two oral citations

--a full sentence outline containing an introduction, body, conclusion, transitions and a bibliography is due prior to the delivery of your speech. See your GA for details.

--you may use no more than three 3" x 5" or 4" x 6" index cards for notes while speaking but remember, the speech should be delivered extemporaneously

--no makeup is available on this assignment without prior approval of your GA and/or Prof. Burnett. Speeches are tightly scheduled in the labs, so please be on time.

This presentation requires that you inform your audience about a business related issue by means of explanation or demonstration. A speech of explanation might seek to enlighten the audience about new business practices (open book management), new business technologies relevant to the audience (time management systems), or new professions (forensic accounting). A speech of demonstration helps to detail how something works and might focus on a business service (how to become a franchisee) or financial practice ( how to invest in the "Dogs of the Dow"). You may not choose a topic that is discussed in a significant way in the text book or in lectures...let's see some creativity!

Remember that your lab section is the audience for your speech, not some fabricated group for whom you might like to be speaking. In choosing a topic, use your own talent, interests and experiences, BUT be sure that you recognize that part of this assignment is understanding this particular audience and what information would be relevant to and significant for them. Even a topic that you are familiar with needs to be thoroughly researched and outlined prior to the speech.

In lab sections, you will be given a day on which you will be delivering the speech. On days that you are not speaking, your attendance in the lab is equally important. It is critical for you to be a good audience to your colleagues, and you will also be required to complete a number of peer review evaluations of your classmates’ speeches.

If you have any doubts about the appropriateness of the speech topic for this class, please consult your lab section GA.

Note: Classrooms will have overhead projectors, but no other technology is guaranteed to be available. Please do not assume that you will have computer access for PowerPoint presentations.