CMST100  Fundamentals of Public Speaking

July 30, 31, August 1

Interactive Policy

• Time--8 Minutes speaking time; 7 minutes of criticism.
• Value: 20% of final gade
• Required--Typed outline with bib page, Mini dvd R,  feedback sheet.
• Sources--Minimum of ten, four different forms (ask me about appropriate evidence).
• Approval--by me, at least one week before the day you speak.
• Note--if you use note cards, they can only contain key words or quotations.

Assignment--This effort will again center on your provision and support for a public policy, albeit one different from the last round of speeches. Each of you should have a better idea of what I mean when I am asking for a specific policy and should be prepared this time to present a speech that clearly identifies a problem and then satisfies it by showing how a specific policy, if implemented, could solve this problem. Your outline should clearly illustrate the harms, inherency, solvency, etc. even though you will probably not be able to deliver all of the material you prepare.

The difference in this speech and the last one lies in your interaction with the audience. After it is clear that you have presented your thesis (MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR), the audience is allowed to ask you questions about a claim you have made or offer counterarguments to one of your arguments. Your task as a speaker is to either answer each question at the time it is raised or to judiciously defer the response. At 7 minutes, 30 seconds, a timer will warn you that you have 30 seconds remaining. At this point, no one will be allowed to ask questions, and you must bring your speech to a smooth conclusion, no matter how far through the body of the "planned" speech you are at the time. Hence, the trick is to be able to stay on track, answer questions politely and still persuade the audience of the value of your policy within the allotted time.

Evaluation:

• --organization: is the speech organized well in the outline? Does the speech appear organized as delivered? Was the audience confused or did they understand the effort?
• --outline: does it fit the requirements? Does it show evidence of a well thought out plan of action?
• --delivery: Simply put, does the delivery detract from the message or add to it? (Did you create a climate in which conversation with the audience would be possible?)
• --style: Were relevant words chosen? Did the speaker utilize discourse that detracted from, or added to, the message?
• --policy: Did the speaker clearly point out the problems (need), note the way in which the policy satisfies the need (and refute opposition to it), show that it will indeed work, and clearly explain the policy?
• --YOU WILL JUDGED ON BOTH YOU PLAN IN THE OUTLINE AND WHAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO DELIVER IN THE TIME ALLOTTED.

If you need help, please either come by my office, call me (322-2988) or email me.

Return to CMST100 course page.