Task Definition:

Assignment:

Take a position on an issue and persuade your audience that your view is the most logical, most moral, or most important and is therefore the view that they should share. You may also attempt to move your audience to undertake specific action, if your topic necessitates it.

Audience: Your classmates and teacher

Length: 7 - 10 minutes

Format: Extemporaneous (outline with note cards or Power Point presentation)

Note: you MUST have note cards. You will not be allowed to bring anything besides your notecards and visual aid up with you when you speak.

What is Required:

Introduction:
1. Attention-getter
2. Purpose statement
3. Preview of the body

Body:
1. 2-5 main points

What are good reasons for doing what you say we should do or believing what you say we should believe?

2. Supporting details and anecdotes for main points
3. Supporting research
Cite during speech:
"...according to..."
"...as noted by..."
"...a study published by______stated..."

4. Smooth transitions between main points
5. Anticipate the opposition to EACH of your points and refute it.
Example: Proponents of the new Massachusetts driving laws argue that the new laws make the roads safer for young drivers. In actuality they are putting more young drivers on the roads because kids are not able to carpool.

Conclusion:
1. Signal to audience that speech is ending.
2. Summarize your main points.
3. End with a bang!

Also required:

1. Full Outline
2. Notecards (key words and phrases ONLY)
3. Typed Bibliography (Works Cited)
4. Research
5. Visual Aids: posters, video clips (not exceeding 5 minutes; these do not contribute to your 7-minute minimum) handouts, etc.

Tips:

*Use valid evidence and correct reasoning to persuade your classmates. Organize your points clearly.
*State your main ideas at the beginning of the speech and restate them at the conclusion.
*Choose effective language and think about using such techniques as:
contrast
rhetorical questions
climax
figures of speech
You may wish to include a quotation related to your topic by a famous individual or a personal narrative.

*DO NOT CLAIM CREDIT FOR OTHERS' WORDS OR IDEAS.

This is plagiarism, even in speaking.

*Don't forget about the "um, er, ah, like, whatever" factor.

Like, whatever...um, give a great speech, okay?
Yeah. I'm done. That's it.

*This is the most challenging speech thus far in the course. Do your best and you will have a much better chance of convincing your audience!