public speaking (topic :- Informative Speech)

Touchstone 3: Informative Speech

ASSIGNMENT: For this Touchstone, you will deliver a 5–7 minute informative speech on a topic of your choice. The speech can be for any context, but it must be informative. Below is a list of example informative speech topics for your reference.

Type of Informative SpeechPurposeExamplesObjectTo inform an audience about something visible or tangible

The human body

An episode of The Family Guy

A car engine

Equipment for riding a horse

ProcessTo explain a series of actions or steps with a defined ending point

How the modern electoral college works

How an ice cream sandwich is made

How to drive a car

How to study for a test

EventTo discuss or describe an occurrence of importance

The Battles of Lexington and Concord

A person’s first week at college

The invention of the telephone

• The Norman invasion of England
• ConceptTo discuss or explain an abstract idea or notion

The origins of the universe

• Love at first sight
• Optical illusions

Patriotism vs. nationalism

In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any plagiarized or recycled work will result in a Plagiarism Detected alert. Review Touchstones: Academic Integrity Guidelines for more about plagiarism and the Plagiarism Detected alert. For guidance on the use of generative AI technology, review Ethical Standards and Appropriate Use of AI.

Touchstone Support Videos

Evaluating Your Sources
Maintaining Relevance and Balance

A. Directions

Step 1: Select Informative Topic/Issue

• Your speech should be consistently informative in nature. Identify your audience, purpose, and thesis. Imagine your audience and how you would want to convey your message to this audience.
• Refer back to the following lessons for support:
• Informative and Persuasive Speeches
• Choosing and Developing a Good Topic

Informative Speeches: Definition and Types

Step 2: Consider Purpose, Thesis, and Audience

Identify your purpose, thesis, and audience. Imagine your audience and how you would want to convey your message to this audience. As you start to plan your speech, ask yourself the following questions:

What are you hoping to achieve with this speech?

Who will be in your audience? What do you know about them?

What is the key message of your speech?

• Refer back to the following lessons for support:
• Informative Speeches: Subjects, Goals, and Scope
• Sample Informative Speech
• Step 3: Find Credible Sources

Utilize your program resources, the internet, or a local library to find three credible sources that are relevant to your speech. As you look for sources, consider the following questions in your search to help ensure credibility:

How recent is the data or information presented in your source?

When was the source published? If the source is a website, when was the website last updated?

What does the source cover?

How well-researched and detailed is the source? How much depth is the topic covered in?

How is this content and level of detail relevant to your purpose, audience, and message?

• How is the author qualified to speak on the topic?
• What is the author’s purpose?
• What biases might they have?
• Is the information the author’s opinion alone or is it supported by cited facts?

Who funds the website or publication?

Are there items endorsed or for sale? If so, what items?

What is the reputation of the website or publication?

Refer back to the following lessons for support:

Gathering Information

Sources of Information: The Library

Sources of Information: The Internet

Evaluating Sources

Step 4: Identify Pieces of Evidence

Read through your sources to identify five pieces of evidence that support and reinforce your thesis. Be sure to use at least three different types of pieces of evidence from the following list:

Statistic

Analogy

Definition

Visual

Story

Testimony

Refer back to the following lessons for support:

Supporting Your Ideas

Using Examples

• Using Statistics, Analogies, and Definitions to Support Your Ideas

Using Visuals, Testimony, and Storytelling to Support Your Ideas

• Step 5: Create Notes

Create notes or bullet points that you can refer to while presenting your speech. You should not read your speech word for word from your notes. Make sure to cite at least three sources or pieces of evidence as you deliver your speech.

• Step 6: Use Clear Language

Ensure that the language you use is consistently clear and appropriate to the audience, which helps the audience connect with you and your topic. Explain any technical jargon you use where necessary.

Refer back to the following lessons for support:

How to Use Your Knowledge of the Audience

Mind Your Audience

Tailor Abstraction to Your Audience

Make It Memorable and Enhance Audience Understanding

• Step 7: Practice Speech
• Practice presenting your speech. Deliver a speech that is 5–7 minutes in length.
• Refer back to the following lesson for support:

Best Practices in Public Speaking

Step 8: Review Rubric

• Before filming, review the rubric to ensure that you understand how you will be evaluated.

Step 9: Film Speech

• Film yourself presenting the speech. Be sure that you can be easily seen and heard—at minimum, your head and shoulders should be visible in your video, and you should make eye contact with your audience by directing your speech toward the camera.

Important: Be sure that your speech’s purpose, audience, and thesis are clear. If you choose, you can state this information at the beginning of your video before you begin your speech.

Refer back to the following lessons for support:

Audience

The Purpose and Thesis Statement

Step 10: Review Video

Review your video to ensure that you can be seen and heard. Refilm as needed. Your speech should be delivered in one video with no cuts or editing.

Step 11: Review Checklist and Requirements

• Review the checklist and requirements to ensure that your Touchstone is complete.
• Step 12: Submit
• Upload your video using the blue button at the top of this page.
• Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
• ? I have selected a speech purpose that is informative.
  ? My speech has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  ? The introduction includes my key message (thesis).
  ? The body includes my main points and support.
  ? I have selected sources that are credible and support that is relevant.
  ? I have used language that is appropriate to my audience.
  ? The conclusion summarizes my main points and includes a call to action.
  ? I have filmed a video of myself presenting my speech.