Speech Assignment Sheet {a how-to manual} [be sure to read this item in its entirety]

speaker at a lectern
Hopper's Summer Evening
-Summer Evening
--- Convince me ----
THE 
PERSUASIVE
PRESENTATION  

 

 

 

 

 

 

P

RATIONALES & OBJECTIVES:

END RESULT & PREPARATION STEPS:

PRESENTATION DATES:

LENGTH OF PRESENTATION:

TOPICS GUIDELINES:

LIST OF CURRENTLY RESERVED TOPICS

PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS:

SUBMISSIONS: Preliminary [including PPSAP]  /  Final

 

GRADING RUBRIC

 

 


UPDATED FOR  Fall '20

Oral Communication (COST1600) – ONLINE

                      -MAJOR PRESENTATION #4:  PERSUASIVE

a.k.a. Extemporaneous Public (Presentational) Speaking

    Communicate!/Mindtap


> Submission of the topic reservation request via email is recommended no later than Friday 11/20/20- 11:59pm.

> Submission of the PPSAP into the designated  Blackboard assignment folder is due no later than Tues 11/24/20- 11:59pm.

> Submission of the oral presentation video into Bongo is due no later than Friday 12/4/20- 11:59pm

> Submission of the two different one-paragraph peer reviews in Bongo is due no later than Sunday 12/6/20-11:59pm

 

Assignment Rationale-

Some Communication scholars have asserted that human nature can be characterized as inherently persuasive in that most of our communicative acts seek to exert some degree of influence (on the thoughts and/or behaviors of others). Effectiveness in achieving such influence requires the blending of a complex blend of several moving parts—including logical reasoning, psychological strategies, and speaker credibility/believability.   

 


General and Specific objectives-

General:

CLO 1: Students will be able to construct effective oral-style messages of varying communication purposes, including informing, illustrating and persuading and will be able to adapt their content, organization, language, and delivery to the needs, interests and listening skills of any given listener(s).

CLO 4:  Students will be able to utilize extemporaneous presentational delivery style, including the “conversational”/expressive vocal delivery mode--whether presenting in-person or into a camera. 

 

Specific: Students will construct a speech to persuade (to convince or actuate) their classmates in this class on a question of Fact  /or/  Value  /or/  Policy.

 


    The end result

(1) A six-eight minute presentation, self-recorded into or uploaded into the “Bongo” app within Mindtap. Due by 12/4/20.

(2) Complete  two written peer reviews evaluating presentations of two different classmates.. This will be done via the “Bongo” app within Mindtap. Due by 12/6/20.


Steps in preparation- (This last prepared presentation serves as a capstone assignment- showing how you can pull together the lessons of the semester)  

1. Carefully read the textbook's/MindTap's comments on the PRINCIPLES & the SUPPORTING MATERIALS used for basic Persuasive Speaking. [Chap 17 in 15ed] [ The Persuasion Slide Show in the Slide Show folder in Blackboard ]

 

2. Review your topic choice.  For most people, this step was accomplished during the in-class workshops on speech organization. Additional topic choice specifications for your class are given in the "Specifications" section below.

 Whatever the specifications, always be sure your topic is appropriate in 3 basic ways {speaker / audience / context-occasion}. Also, make sure it is "limited" & "well-focused" & does not attempt to take on a subject area that is too broad.

  All topic reservation requests must be emailed directly to the Professor no later than 11/24/20.  

 

3. Audience analysis and adaptation is crucial for achieving effective persuasion. To help you with this factor, complete & submit the “Preliminary Persuasive Speech Adaptation Plan [PPSAP] . Example is in the Mindtap learning Path after 17.3/ sample speech on Cyberbulling. In addition there is an assignment document located in the course documents section in Blackboard & linked here.

  

4. After receiving the feedback on your PPSAP, work on constructing your final Presentation Outline.  For general guidelines on organization, preparation & visual/presentation aids, see Chapters 12, 13, 14 & 15.  Refer to the “Speech Builder” application within Mindtap to review the components of this construction process.

  

5. Points will be deducted if you deliver the presentation from a word-for-word manuscript For most people, the best way to prepare for an extemporaneous presentation is to AVOID writing out the planned speech in word-for-word sentences.  Don't think of your "speech" as an essay being read out loud; rather, it's a dynamic oral connection between speaker & audience. Also, resist the temptation to write out major passages in word-for-word format as you prepare. Instead, try out slightly different wordings as you practice. Review the extemporaneous technique [see Chap 15-esp. pp.321-322 in 15ed].  

 

4. NOTE: Your Professor prefers the "topic-phrase" outline style, not the full sentence style that you see in these examples. And, despite the formats found in some of the text's examples, you will not be writing out your presentations in word-for-word form. 

5.  Use your text's Persuasive Speech Evaluation Checklist [Fig 17.3 on p. 385 [15ed.]  in order to evaluate yourself as you practice your presentation.  

6. And Remember: 

  


Topic:

As always, specific topics are up to the individual. Whatever the specific topic, s you have read, Successful persuasion targets then addresses the audience's needs (whether through satisfaction, advocacy . relevancy) as well as the interests & enthusiasm of the speaker (e.g. advocacy). Topics are first-come, first served and will need to be screened for appropriateness by the Professor.  The topic reservation process will start in mid-November. Email your choice directly to the Professor who will review appropriateness & maintain an online topics-reservation-list which will be linked here as well as to the course calendar.

 


Submissions

          Preliminary  

>Complete the PPSAP.[Preliminary Persuasive Speech Adaptation Plan   - located just after Figure 17.3  / (CLO1,2) Using your chosen persuasive topic, complete all 5 bullets: items 1-5 –also located within the "Sample Speech Plan and Outline" section. Note: This is not your usual Preliminary outlive assignment. This item should be uploaded into the designated folder in Blackboard no later than Tues. 11/24/20.

 

          Final

>Three items: Revised Outline + Video-recorded Speech + Slide Deck {if applicable}.

 

As always, the Final version of the outline-- revised & corrected--needs to be included as a Word document uploaded in Bongo along with the video of the speech.
Also remember, the "presentation/visual" aid component is optional for this presentation but can be done in any way that is suited to your topic & speech objective { e.g. demonstration, audience involvement, audio, slide show,  photos, object, etc. etc. etc. } You need to be visible in video so be sure that your aid does not obscure your listeners’ ability to see & evaluate your delivery. 


Specifications  (including summary of due dates)

Due Dates:

> Submission of the topic reservation request via email is due no later than Friday 11/20/20- 11:59pm.

> Submission of the PPSAP into the designated  Blackboard assignment folder is due no later than Monday 11/23/20- 11:59pm.

> Submission of the oral presentation video into Bongo is due no later than Friday 12/4/20- 11:59pm

> Submission of the two different one-paragraph peer reviews in Bongo is due no later than Sunday 12/6/20-11:59pm

Oral:

> Time Limit: Your total presentation time is 6-8 minutes—including any visual/presentation aids (see next item)

>  Presentation aids:   When they are well integrated into the oral message, visual/ audio presentation aids greatly assist the ethos & pathos components of persuasion. Over the course of this semester, each person was expected—at least once-- to use Presentation Graphics (e.g. PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote, etc.) for creating & using a brief Slide Show  [i.e. 3-5 slides].  However, if you have already met this requirement, you do not have to incorporate presentation graphics in this current speech. Decide based on what works best for your topic, goals, and timing.   

  

Written

> Final version of the Speech outline should include a Bibliography—using A.P.A. or M.L.A. formatting.  Minimum listing = Internet source citations must list at the very least, the [1] URL, [2] the Title of the particular Webpage you used, [3] the Date that you accessed the page & [4] (If available) the last date that the page itself was updated. It is not sufficient to just list "web" or to just list a URL.  It  also would  be wise to refer to the guidelines in the Department of Communication's Policy on Academic Honesty .

 


Preparation tips - Recommendations – Resources

> Go to the Course Documents section in BlackBoard for an alternate, explanatory  version of the "PPSAP” document- mentioned above. Either version can be used to complete the strategy-based action step assignment.  

 > Utilize the Persuasive Speech Evaluation Checklist [ Mindtap: chapter 17] for guidance  both for constructing your own presentation as well as for writing  your peer reviews on two classmates’ presentations.  

 

>TIP:  For a more effective presentation, don't use the extra time length to: 
(1) squeeze in more points   /or/
(2) tackle topic that is too broad   /or/
(3) slowly set up your visual/presentation aids /or/

(4) spend time trying to fix a technical difficulty (if things aren't working, move on) /or/                
(5) get on your soapbox to orate on your opinion &/or use a speaker-centered perspective  
    

 Instead, the extra time should be used for employing additional, strategically selected  persuasive principles in order to target your specific audience (i.e. the people in THIS class).   (Use the guidelines from your notes, from Chapter 17 & from the online slide shows & tutorials in MindTap & Blackboard).

This means you'll need to use a variety of communication techniques as covered this semester. Strive to demonstrate your creativity & communicator competence in how you sequence your supporting materials to "PROVE" your persuasive "argument." (“argument means to support your thesis statement with evidence and reasoning. In Persuasive speaking, the thesis is often called the "proposition".)
 

> ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS: Successful persuaders are very strategic about the sequencing of points & supporting materials. You will encounter many options in your reading but if undecided, consider these two “classic” ones.as appropriate: Statement-of--Logical-Reasons or Monroe’s-Motivated -Sequence.  Outlining, supporting materials & speech structure will be major factors of consideration for grading the persuasive presentation.

 


> GRADING RUBRIC: [Basic Extemporaneous Major Presentation] {50X2} / {57.5X2}

 

Evaluation Criteria

Excellent <16-20pt>

Proficient <11-15pt>

Competent <6-10pt>

Minimal/Unsatisfactory <0-5pt>

ORGANIZATION

Segments are clearly distinguishable

      (e.g. Introduction, Body, Conclusion). Presentation uses various connectives to achieve a cohesive sequencing that is easy to follow and reinforces the central idea (Thesis Stmt)

Main points follow a logical sequence but not all sections/ points were clearly connected to each other . More internal connectives & summaries were needed

Main points follow a logical sequence but not all sections/point were clearly or smoothly connected to each other

Presentation lacks several key factors such as connectives, use of a logical pattern and/or is difficult for listeners to follow.

LANGUAGE

 Language structures & vocabulary choices are mature, professional, non-colloquial, and vivid [ generating imagery]. Word choices are appropriate for oral extemporaneous style  to the  given listeners.

Language and vocabulary choices are mostly well chosen for clarity and audience comprehension. More use of vivid (oral language) technique would be desirable

Language and vocabulary choices are basic and acceptable. Use of some non-explained terms &/or jargon. Language is more suited to written communication rather than oral, extemporaneous settings

Speaker uses inappropriately casual language, slang, or obscure wordings. Vocabulary choices are confusing for the audience (e.g. over technical, in-group based, structurally unclear)

DELIVERY

Speaker’s vocal & physical techniques are handled skillfully to motivate listening (e.g. posture, gestures, eye contact, meaningful vocal inflection, voice clarity,

 appropriate appearance, etc.). Speaker exhibits poise & preparation and also demonstrates rapport & engagement.

Speaker exhibits an awareness of an audience-centered use of vocal & physical techniques Could use a stronger blend of communicating WITH the listeners

Speaker exhibits vocal & physical techniques that are adequate and non-distracting. Could use more energy, physical skill and emotional engagement with listeners

Delivery techniques are not effective at enhancing listeners’ comprehension. Speaker does not exhibit confidence or adequate preparedness.

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Supports are appropriately varied (e.g. explanations, examples, testimony, illustrations, statistics, narratives, analogies, quotations, etc.). and are directly relevant to the central idea. Material is of good quality & enhances presenter’s credibility

The supporting materials are adequate for supporting (demonstrating/proving

/reinforcing)  the Central idea.  The material establishes the presenter’s credibility on the topic. Could have used a more strategic blend &  sequencing of materials

The supporting materials provide some support of the Central idea

(demonstrating/

proving/reinforcing) the Central idea.

Believability would be stronger with material that is more concrete and less generalized.

The supporting materials are insufficient for supporting and/or  adding credibility for either the Central idea or the speaker. More and more types of supports are needed

 

 

CENTRAL MESSAGE

Central idea (Thesis Stmt) is stated clearly, is skillfully “signposted” and is explicitly coordinated to the supporting points.  The central idea is restated & reinforced throughout the message.

Central idea (Thesis Stmt) is stated clearly, is skillfully “signposted” and is somewhat coordinated to the supporting points.

Central idea (Thesis Stmt) is implied but not specified. Connection to the supporting points is implied but not explicitly summarized.  ________

The Central idea is unclear or not evident. The stated Central idea is not related to the supporting points.

PRESENTATION AIDS

Presentation Aids are appropriate & used skillfully. Aids exhibit appropriate aesthetic practices and are smoothly coordinated with the vocal and physical delivery

Presentation Aid choices are appropriate

& exhibit an awareness of appropriate aesthetic practices. More strategy &/or audience centered techniques would be desirable.

Presentation Aid choices adequately support and coordinate with the message. They don’t distract but could  do more to enhance the listeners’ comprehension & appreciation of the More audience-centeredness needed

 

Inappropriate choices result in lack of or misuse of presentation aids.  Slides do not exhibit effective aesthetic strategies and are distracting, non-coordinated, and/or difficult to read

*Adapted from the Oral Communication Value Rubric: Association of American Colleges and Universities  / Plummer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 
 NOTE:  If you have any questions or issues about your topic, your outline, or your audience-centered strategies, contact your professor via email.      

 

 

 

 


 Policy on Academic Honesty .