Persuasive Speech Assignment



Senior Seminar Honors

Persuasive Speech Assignment

Your task is to choose and take a side on a controversial issue about which you have interest and are comfortable speaking. ONCE YOUR TOPIC HAS BEEN APPROVED, you will then compose and deliver a speech in which you will attempt to persuade your audience to your point of view. Anyone giving a speech in class on a topic that has not been approved will receive an automatic zero (0) for the entire assignment.

You are required to speak for 10-15 minutes and your speech will be timed. Additionally, you are required to provide a pamphlet or brochure outlining your topic and position for each member of the class to have as a reference as you speak. These copies MAY NOT be run-off in the MHS Media Center. You are permitted to incorporate a visual into your presentation as long as it is appropriate, it is NOT digital, and does not interfere with or overshadow your verbal presentation.

On the day of your presentation, you are expected to dress professionally. This means no jeans, shorts, T-shirts, or other such casual clothing will be acceptable. Dress to impress your audience!

Important Note: Make-up dates are extremely limited and will ONLY be assigned in the event that a legitimate, unforeseen circumstance causes your absence on your originally assigned presentation day. If you are in school at ANY time on your assigned day and you do not give your speech, you will receive a zero (0) for the presentation grade-NO EXCEPTIONS! Regardless of circumstance, ALL speeches MUST be completed before final exams begin.

Requirements and Due Dates:

*Topic/Position Statement (25 pts)-DUE March 1 (A) or 4 (B)

*Annotated Bibliography (100 pts)-DUE April 8 (A) or 9 (B) **REVISED 2/20/13

*Detailed Outline (75 pts)-DUE April 18 (A) or 19 (B)

*Pamphlet/Brochure-ONE COPY; Note: copies for the entire class will be required on the day of your speech (75 pts)-DUE May 16 (A) or 17 (B)

*One-Page Abstract (100 pts)-DUE May 22 (A) or 23 (B)

*Delivery (see rubric on reverse for specific grading requirements) (100 pts)-DUE ______________

Total Possible Points: 475

Important Notes:

ALL written work MUST be typed in proper MLA format.

The due dates listed above are non-negotiable. If you are in school on a day when an aspect of this project is due but NOT in this class, you are still required to turn-in your assignment. In the event of an anomalous occurrence which prevents your class from meeting on a due date, the assignment is due the next time the class meets.

If A- and B-days shift due to school cancelations at any point, we will adjust the due dates listed above accordingly. Please refer to the class assignments web page regularly to check for any such changes.

Stalowski/Cleary Speaker: ___________________________

Senior Seminar Honors Topic: _____________________________

Persuasive/Senior Speech Rubric

Scale: 1-weak, 2-fair; 3-good; 4-very good; 5-excellent

Speech Content

Appropriate and interesting topic 1 2 3 4 5 Total: __________/40

Structured/engaging introduction 1 2 3 4 5

Clear thesis 1 2 3 4 5

Clear arguments 1 2 3 4 5

Supporting evidence 1 2 3 4 5

Emotional appeals 1 2 3 4 5

Smooth transitions 1 2 3 4 5

Effective conclusion 1 2 3 4 5

Delivery Considerations

Eye contact 1 2 3 4 5 Total: __________/60

Gestures (including facial expressions) 1 2 3 4 5

Posture 1 2 3 4 5

Volume 1 2 3 4 5

Enunciation 1 2 3 4 5

Intonation/Pitch Variation 1 2 3 4 5

Speed/Pace of Speech 1 2 3 4 5

Confidence/Presence 1 2 3 4 5

Evidence of rehearsal 1 2 3 4 5

Timing (10 minutes minimum) 1 2 3 4 5

Appearance (neat/professional) 0 10

Content/Delivery Total: __________/100 pts

Topic/Position Statement: __________/25 pts

Annotated Bibliography: __________/100 pts

Detailed Outline: __________/75 pts

Pamphlet/Brochure: __________/75 pts

One-Page Abstract: __________/100 pts

Grand Total: ___________/475

Senior Speech Requirements and Due Dates

Please note: Although the due dates for the various components range across Marking Periods 3 and 4, ALL GRADES WILL BE COMPILED INTO ONE LUMP GRADE OUT OF 475 POINTS WHICH WILL BE POSTED IN MARKING PERIOD 4. This does not affect the due dates listed below.

*Topic/Position Statement (25 pts)-DUE March 1 (A) or 4 (B)

One full paragraph clearly stating the topic about which you will speak, your stance, i.e. pro or con, and a brief explanation of why you have chosen this particular topic.

*Annotated Bibliography (100 pts)-DUE April 8 (A) or 9 (B)

Basically, this is an expanded/detailed Works Cited. Each source listed must be accompanied by a brief summary of the content contained in the source and an assessment of that information’s validity in reference to your argument. Refer to the following link for information on Annotated Bibliographies:

NOTE: For a project of this magnitude you should have a minimum of five (5) sources.

*Detailed Outline (75 pts)-DUE April 18 (A) or 19 (B)

A final outline detailing your argument as it will be presented. This outline should have evolved significantly from your initial, preliminary outline completed in January. Refer to the following link for information on how to create an effective outline:

*Pamphlet/Brochure (75 pts)-DUE May 16 (A) or 17 (B)

Create a handout to which the audience can refer while you are speaking. This should contain some of your main points, an overview if you will, presented in an eye-catching format.

NOTE: One copy is due to the teacher on 5/16(A) or 5/17(B); a class set of copies is required for distribution to the audience on the day of your presentation. Microsoft Publisher has user-friendly templates that may be useful.

*One-Page Abstract (100 pts)-DUE May 22 (A) or 23 (B)

This is essentially your final outline translated into prose. It is an overview of the key points of your speech written in ONE PAGE OR LESS. Refer to the notes provided below for information on how to write an abstract.

How to Write an Abstract: Beginning after the page header, center the word “Abstract” (no bold, formatting, italics, underlining, or quotation marks).

Beginning with the next line, write a concise summary of the key points of your research. (Do not indent.) Your abstract should be a single paragraph double-spaced, consisting of between 150 and 250 words.**See the handout titled “What is an Abstract?” posted on the class website for more detailed instructions.

*Delivery (100 pts) DUE ______________(insert your assigned presentation date here)

See the scoring rubric for specific grading requirements.

Tips on Preparing for Your Senior Speech

1. Establish Purpose

➢ Main Purpose: to persuade or convince

➢ Additional Purposes to consider

-to present information

-to impress or stimulate

-to encourage action

-to entertain

2. Gather Information

➢ Media Center Resources

-Books

-Periodicals

-Databases

-General Reference Books

➢ Personal Experience

➢ Interviews with people experienced and/or knowledgeable in the subject area

3. Narrow Your Focus

➢ Select a central idea

➢ Develop a specific thesis statement

➢ Limit your ideas to fit time constraints

4. Organize Information

➢ Introduction

-presents the main idea (thesis)

-arouses audience interest in the speaker and subject; suggested methods:

a. share a carefully chosen personal reference

b. tell a story closely related to the topic

c. ask a leading rhetorical question

d. make an unusual, thought-provoking statement

➢ Body

-develops main idea with support

-appeals to emotions to gain support

-employs an effective organizational model (cause-and-effect, problem-solution, chronological order, special/geographical order, etc.)

-transitions smoothly between ideas

➢ Conclusion

-reiterates the thesis/main idea

-summarizes the main points of the argument

-creatively inspires action or respect for the ideas presented

-includes a final “punch line” or other effective wrap-up

WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR MAIN IDEAS

-Give examples (a story, incident or anecdote)

-Provide definitions to clarify words and/or ideas

-Compare ad Contrast to show similarities and differences

-Give facts and statistics

-Use literary or authoritative quotations to clarify or enforce ideas

BASICS OF CUE CARDS

-Use 4x6 inch index cards

-Limit the quantity

-Number your cards (just in case!)

-Write quotations and statistics on separate cards

-First Card

a. Topic and/or title of speech

b. Introduction in some detail but NOT word-for-word

-Body Cards

a. should follow general outline done at the start of research

b. use key words for main and subheads

c. use one (1) card for each main topic

-Final Card

a. concluding statements in some detail

b. final “punch line”

*DO NOT write out your speech and tape it to the cue cards; not only will your speech be less effective, but you will lose credit if you read to the audience!

OTHER WORDS OF WISDOM

➢ Get set before starting to speak; organize your notes and compose yourself

➢ Begin your speech WITHOUT referring to your notes

➢ Maintain eye contact with your audience throughout your speech; glance down briefly at your cue cards when necessary but do not read from them

➢ Avoid saying “umm,” “uh,” “well,” etc.

➢ Stop at the end of an idea; don’t speak in run-on sentences

➢ Don’t fidget!

➢ Vary your voice in pitch and volume

➢ Use gestures and facial expressions to enhance your speech

➢ Practice your speech ahead of time-the more you do, the more comfortable you’ll be and the less you’ll stumble over your words when the day of your presentation comes!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download