Informative Speeches: Informative speaking offers you an opportunity to practice your researching, writing, organizing, and speaking skills.

You will learn how to discover and present information clearly. If you take the time to thoroughly research and understand your topic, to create a clearly organized speech, and to practice an enthusiastic, dynamic style of delivery, you can be an effective "teacher" during your informative speech. Finally, you will get a chance to practice a type of speaking you will undoubtedly use later in your professional career. The purpose of the informative speech is to provide interesting, useful, and unique information to your audience. By dedicating yourself to the goals of providing information and appealing to your audience, you can take a positive step toward succeeding in your efforts as an informative speaker. Major Types of Informative Speeches In general, you will use four major types of informative speeches. While you can classify informative speeches many ways, the speech you deliver will fit into one of four major categories. Speeches about Objects: Speeches about objects focus on things existing in the world. Objects include, among other things, people, places, animals, or products. Because you are speaking under time constraints, you cannot discuss any topic in its entirety. Instead, limit your speech to a focused discussion of some aspect of your topic. Some example topics for speeches about objects include: the Central Intelligence Agency, tombstones, surgical lasers, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the pituitary gland, and lemmings. To focus these topics, you could give a speech about Franklin Delano Roosevelt and efforts to conceal how he suffered from polio while he was in office. Or, a speech about tombstones could focus on the creation and original designs of grave markers. Speeches about Processes: Speeches about processes focus on patterns of action. One type of speech about processes, the demonstration speech, teaches people "how-to" perform a process. More frequently, however, you will use process speeches to explain a process in broader terms. This way, the audience is more likely to understand the importance or the context of the process. A speech about how milk is pasteurized would not teach the audience how to milk cows. Rather, this speech could help audience members understand the process by making explicit connections between patterns of action (the pasteurization process) and outcomes (a safe milk supply). Other examples of speeches about processes include: how the Internet works (not "how to work the Internet"), how to construct a good informative speech, and how to research the job market. As with any speech, be sure to limit your discussion to information you can explain clearly and completely within time constraints. Speeches about Events: Speeches about events focus on things that happened, are happening, or will happen. When speaking about an event, remember to relate the topic to your audience. A speech chronicling history is informative, but you should adapt the information to your audience and provide them with some way to use the information. As always, limit your focus to those aspects of an event that can be adequately discussed within the time limitations of your assignment. Examples of speeches about events include: the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, Groundhog's Day, and the Battle of the Bulge, the World Series, and the 2000 Presidential Elections. Speeches about Concepts: Speeches about concepts focus on beliefs, ideas, and theories. While speeches about objects, processes, and events are fairly concrete, speeches about concepts are more abstract. Take care to be clear and understandable when creating and presenting a speech about a concept. When selecting a concept, remember you are crafting an informative speech. Often, speeches about concepts take on a persuasive tone. Focus your efforts toward providing unbiased information and refrain from making arguments. Because concepts can be vague and involved, limit your speech to aspects that can be readily explained and understood within the time limits. Some examples of topics for concept speeches include: democracy, Taoism, principles of feminism, the philosophy of nonviolent protest, and the Big Bang theory.

Evaluation criteria: Judges evaluate each performer individually based on the total presentation. At the end of the round, performers are ranked in order of the quality of the presentations: Best is first, second best is second, and so on. All contestants are ranked. There can be no ties. The following criteria are of equal importance in evaluating the speaker: I. Analysis and Content Did the speaker answer the question? Was the content informative? Was there sufficient use of logic, facts, examples, and/or expert opinion? Was the information adequately documented? Was the information pertinent to the specific topic? II. Organization Introduction o Did the speaker get attention? o Was the topic clearly stated? o Did the speaker preview and give focus to the key ideas? Body o Were divisions clear and appropriate to the topic? o Did the speaker make effective use of signposting, internal summaries, and transitions? o Was adequate time devoted to each division within the 7 minute time limit? o Was there a logical progression of ideas? Conclusion o Did the speaker tie the speech together? o Was the answer to the question clear? o Was there a note of finality? III. Delivery Language Style o Was the language suitable to informing the audience? o Was the language precise, grammatically correct, and vivid? o Was the delivery natural and spontaneous? o Did it reinforce the ideas of the speech? Vocal Delivery o Was enunciation clear? o Was volume appropriate? o Was there sufficient variety in rate, pause, and pitch? Physical Delivery o Did the speaker exhibit poise and confidence? o Were gestures varied, movement motivated, and eye contact direct? o If note card was used, was it an unobtrusive part of the delivery? Judges are encouraged to write comments and are given the following instructions: "The best critiques teach and encourage the student. Please offer areas of improvement and positive attributes of the speech."

Timing (10 points) ____________________ Total Points: ________________________

Evaluator: __________________________________

*** In the use of visual aids, other criteria can be added as per the mutual consent of the judges.

Humorous Speech Contest Humorous Speech is 5 to 7 minutes in length. Humorous speaking, which must be substantially original. Any quoted material must be identified during the presentation. The speech must be a thematic in nature (opening, body, and close) and not be an act or a monologue. It should be clean humor; avoid objectionable language, anecdotes, and material. Vocal variety, gestures, and speech content all play a part in a successful humorous speech. JUDGING CRITERIA HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST SPEECH DEVELOPMENT is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body, and conclusion. A good speech immediately engages the audiences attention and then moves forward toward a significant conclusion. This development of the speech structure is supported by relevant examples, illustrations, facts, and figures, delivered with such smoothness that they blend into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole. EFFECTIVENESS is measured in part by the audiences reception of the speech, but a large part is your subjective judgment of how the speech came across. You should ask yourself such questions as Was I able to determine the speakers purpose? Did the speech relate directly to that purpose? Was the audiences interest held by the speaker? Was this speech subject appropriate for this particular audience? SPEECH VALUE justifies the act of speaking. The speaker has a responsibility to say something meaningful and original to the audience. The listeners should feel the speaker has made a contribution to their thinking. The ideas should be important ones, although this does not preclude a humorous presentation of them. AUDIENCE RESPONSE indicates the level to which the speaker has affected the emotions and response of the audience. An increasing level of interest may be indicated by reduced audience movement, greater eye contact and laughter at appropriate cues. PHYSICAL presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speakers appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous, or instructional. Body language should support points through gestures, expressions, and body positioning. VOICE is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. A good voice can be clearly heard and the words easily understood. MANNER is the indirect revelation of the speakers real self as the speech is delivered. The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions. APPROPRIATENESS of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely. CORRECTNESS of language ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation will show that the speaker is the master of the words being used.

Other comments: ___________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of the judge: __________________________________________________________________________

Evaluation Contest Evaluations are based on what the evaluator saw, heard and felt. A challenge must be given to help the speaker improve. This must be an effective challenge given in truth and with love. I am attaching Lupe Roys and Gloria Williams breakout session on evaluations. JUDGING CRITERIA EVALUATION CONTEST Speech development is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body, and conclusion. A good speech immediately engages the audiences attention and then moves forward toward a significa nt conclusion. This development of the speech structure is supported by relevant examples, illustrations, facts, and figures, delivered with such smoothness that they blend into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole.

Effectiveness is measured in part by the audiences reception of the speech, but a large part is your subjective judgment of how the speech came across. You should ask yourself such questions as Was I able to determine the speakers purpose? Did the speech relate directly to that purpose? Was the audiences interest held by the speaker? Was this speech subject appropriate for this particular audience?

Physical presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speakers appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous, or instructional. Body language should support points through gestures, expressions, and body positioning.

Voice is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. A good voice can be clearly heard and the words easily understood. APPROPRIATENESS of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely. CORRECTNESS of language ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation will show that the speaker is the master of the words being used. MANNER is the indirect revelation of the speakers real self as the speech is delivered. The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.

(The following is taken from the Toastmasters International Speech Contest Rulebook)

Evaluation Contest Rules Evaluation contest speeches shall be from two to three minutes. A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is less than one minute 30 seconds or more than three minutes 30 seconds. The Evaluation Speech Contest follows all rules outlined in the General Rules section of the rulebook. In addition, the following additions and exceptions apply. 1. 2. At the beginning of this contest, a five- to seven-minute test speech will be presented. The test speech shall be either a contest-type speech, or taken from one of the assignments in the Competent Communication manual. 3. 4. Contestants are permitted to make preparatory notes during the test speech using materials of their choice. It is recommended that at all levels of the contest; the Toastmaster giving the test speech is not a member of the same club as any one of the contestants. 5. 6. The test speaker shall be introduced by announcing the speakers name, speech title, speech title, and the speakers name. Neither the manual project nor any objectives that the speaker may have shall be made known to the contestants, judges, or audience.

7.

At the conclusion of the test speech, all contestants shall leave the room. They then have five minutes to prepare their evaluation using materials of their choice.

8. 9.

Timing and preparation supervision shall be under the control of the contest sergeant at arms. Where it is not practical for contestants to leave the room, contestants will complete their five minute preparation in the same room under the control of the contest sergeant at arms. contestant,

10. After five minutes have elapsed, no further preparation shall be allowed and with the exception of the first

who shall be called back as first evaluator, all others shall hand all written material to the contest sergeant at arms. Preparation material shall be handed back to contestants as they are introduced to present their evaluation. 11. Introduce each contestant by announcing the contestants name twice. Note that this differs from the standard name, speech title, speech title, name, because evaluation speeches do not have titles.

Other comments: ___________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of the judge: __________________________________________________________________________

Motivational Speech A motivational speech is a formal address or discourse written to persuade or convince an audience to take action to improve. It usually provides an outline of the problem and the potential benefits of change through conviction, direction, intensity and persistence by the speaker to persuade their audience to take a pro-active approach. The speeches should start with statements that will grab the listeners' attention and provide relevant information to convince them that there is a problem that needs to be fixed. How to Give a Motivational Speech Words are powerful. They can create experiences, take your audience to new heights and shift how they think. Thats what a motivational speech does. It goes beyond informing and convincing. A good motivational speech moves people emotionally. Most motivational speeches contain these elements: Use of stories usually the heros journey Passion Inspiration to make a positive change Emotional experience that moves people to take action A challenge to think differently

Most importantly, motivational speeches link back the message to the current reality of the audience. Lets examine some of the powerful motivational speakers: Martin Luther King wraps his talk around a higher cause that changed the world. He employs repeti tion of his powerful message I have a dream and skillfully uses alliteration-not the color of their skin but the content of their character. Hes a master of language and speaks emotionally from the depths of his soul. Oprah Winfrey speaks with clarity and emotion. Although shes giving an acceptance speech, she inspires with her message, her reference to others, and by being a living example of her message. Les Brown has a clarity of purpose and uses his incredible story and common sense solutions to wake people up to their greatness. His passionate message of the heros journey and powerful vocal skill make you uncomfortable accepting mediocrity . JUDGING CRITERIA EVALUATION CONTEST Speech development is the way the speaker puts ideas together so the audience can understand them. The speech is structured around a purpose, and this structure must include an opening, body, and conclusion. A good speech immediately engages the audiences attention and then moves forward toward a significa nt conclusion. This development of the speech structure is supported by relevant examples, illustrations, facts, and figures, delivered with such smoothness that they blend into the framework of the speech to present the audience with a unified whole.

Effectiveness is measured in part by the audiences reception of the speech, but a large part is your subjective judgment of how the speech came across. You should ask yourself such questions as Was I able to determine the speakers purpose? Did the speech relate directly to that purpose? Was the audiences interest held by the speaker? Was this speech subject appropriate for this particular audience?

Physical presentation of a speech carries part of the responsibility for effective communication. The speakers appearance should reinforce the speech, whether profound, sad, humorous, or instructional. Body language should support points through gestures, expressions, and body positioning.

Voice is the sound that carries the message. It should be flexible, moving from one pitch level to another for emphasis, and should have a variety of rate and volume. A good voice can be clearly heard and the words easily understood. APPROPRIATENESS of language refers to the choice of words that relate to the speech purpose and to the particular audience hearing the speech. Language should promote clear understanding of thoughts and should fit the occasion precisely.

CORRECTNESS of language ensures that attention will be directed toward what the speaker says, not how it is said. Proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation will show that the speaker is the master of the words being used. MANNER is the indirect revelation of the speakers real self as the speech is delivered. The speaker should speak with enthusiasm and assurance, showing interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions.

Other Comments: _________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of the judge: _______________________________________________________________________________________