42 - COMM 111: Speech #1 Guidelines
Introductory Speech
Length: 3–5 Minutes
Learning Outcomes
Introduce yourself to your audience (the class) by telling the audience who you are as opposed to what you are (not just information such as your name, age, major, etc.).
Feel more at ease with public speaking.
Develop a specific/rhetorical purpose statement and central idea. A thesis sentence with preview.
Select an effective organizational pattern—divide the speech into introduction, body, and conclusion with transitions.
Develop and deliver an original extemporaneous informative speech.
Create a full complete-sentence preparation outline in proper outline format. Use the outliner tool on Blackboard.
Create a set of brief key word speaking notes.
Become aware of the specific areas you need to improve on in public speaking, as you begin this course.
Start developing effective delivery skills.
Begin the process of being an extemporaneous (spontaneous yet practiced) speaker.
Get to know your other classmates!
Goal
You are to deliver a 3–5 minute, polished, well-rehearsed speech following the basic guidelines of speech organization. Be creative! Use humor, presentational aids, etc., to convey to us who you are.
Have fun speaking and listening to your classmates’ speeches.
A couple of possible examples for the introductory speech may be:
Choosing three objects that represent you as you see yourself in the past, present, future.One object should reflect who you were in the past, one in the present, and one represents who you hope to be in the future.
Bring these objects to class and use them as visual aids as you deliver your first speech.
You might focus on your personality, background, beliefs, experiences, and/or goals.
Choosing an organization, department/major, or student service, such as REACH, provided by the University of Louisville and telling your audience about it.You might include things such as where they are located, what students they service, what are some programs they have for students, etc.
This may help when students don’t feel connected to the university culture (especially a commuter school).
Many students drop out of college because they don’t know what resources are available to them; your speech could help them stay in school.
Choosing something about yourself, an interest or belief, or something you like such as a book, movie, song, music artist, etc., and telling us about it and what it means to you.
Please note: Your individual instructor may have other guidelines or topic focus for this assignment that may be discussed in your particular class.
Guidelines
Your speech should meet the following minimum criteria:
Structure
An introduction with:An attention-getter
A credibility statement (ethos)
A thesis/central idea
A preview statement
A transition to the body
An approximate time frame of 10%–15% of the total speech time
Address the WIIFM of your audience
The body of the speech should contain the following:No more than three main points in the body of the speech representing your specific points you want to tell us about. Also, include the transitions between the points.
For example: In a three object speech your main points might be your past, present, and future. In a speech about a student service at U of L your main points might be the location, the services they provide, and who uses the services.
Connectives/transitions between the parts of the speech, main points, and ideas when needed
Any supporting ideas, evidence, even citing aloud sources if you used outside research (logos)
Use stories and examples to support your ideas
A conclusion with:A summary of the main points of the speech
A restatement of thesis/central idea
An ending with a “clincher” or memorable statement
An approximate time frame of 5%–10% of the total speech time
Try not to just tell us what your ideas, points, or objects are, but explain why they are important to you, how the experience influenced your life, etc.
Delivery
Try to achieve the following aspects of good delivery:
Make eye contact! Look at everyone in the room, not just the instructor. Talk with the whole audience.
Be enthusiastic and expressive. Smile. You’re talking about yourself.
Be extemporaneous, which means refer to your notes, but don’t read them. Use them as a guide.Use a heightened conversational style.
Be yourself! We want to hear you and your ideas.
Try to avoid the “ums,” “ers,” “uhs.”
Note the Time Limit
Practice your speech to be within the time frame. There will be a 10% penalty deducted from your speech score for not meeting the two-minute window on the time limit.
One of the best ways to meet the time limit is to practice your speech.
Use the Speaker’s Center
Let them help you brainstorm ideas, create your preparation outline format, and practice. Now is the time to get a good solid start on speechmaking!
Grading Point Structure
Your speech will be graded based on the following point structure:
Total Speech Points - 50 Points
Time - 3 to 5 minutes
# of sources required (minimum #) - 0
Visual aids as per instructor
Outlines as required (graded separately) - Preparation (15) and Speaking Notes (10)
25 points
See the other Course Materials for guidelines on how to practice your speech.
The key to good speaking is preparation, so practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more.
Remember: You can not only ask your professor questions, but also the Speaker’s Center and the Speech Mentors. We want to help make the Introductory Speech a great experience for you (and the audience!).
