Test-Out Speech
Length: 8-10 Minutes
Goal: Develop a policy focused speech on a topic that is two-sided, with
the goal of changing the attitudes, values, and/or actions of your
audience in a well-organized, audience-oriented presentation.
Skills to demonstrate:
1. Illustrate that you know the difference between informative and
persuasive approaches.
2. Organize the speech! -- Use an appropriate organizational pattern
for the claim of policy you are making.
3. Research the topic -- you'll need three outside references. You may
use one web site as a reference.
4. Develop a specific purpose statement and central idea.
5. Outline the speech in proper outlining form for your preparation
outline.
6. Select and develop an audio/visual aid that supports and extends
your message.
7. Develop a bibliography page
10. Come up with a compelling attention getter and ending statement
11. Make an appeal to emotion.
12. Decide on the reasoning method that you will use (Cha. 16).
13. Provide a Call to Action
14. Develop a speaking outline.
15. Deliver the speech extemporaneously.
Guidelines:
An introduction with...

An attention getter

A credibility statement

A thesis / central idea -In a persuasive speech dealing with a question of policy, the central idea
statement should tell us the position you are taking on this topic. Ex.:
Landfills carry the threat of toxins and should not be built in residential
areas.

A relevancy statement

A preview

A transition to the body
The body of the speech should have...

An appropriate organizational pattern, based on the claim
that you are making

An emotional appeal (which doesn't have to be in the body; it
could be in the introduction or conclusion)

Distinct main points

Transitions between main points

An internal summary or an internal preview

Oral footnotes, which means citing your references ALOUD in
the body of your speech (and in the introduction/conclusion
if you use any there).
A conclusion that includes the following:

A summary of the main points of the speech

Restatement of thesis / central idea

An ending with a "clincher" or memorable statement
Delivery....

Make eye contact! -- look at everyone in the room.

Be enthusiastic and expressive.

Be extemporaneous: don't read your notes.

Gesture. Don't just be a talking head.

Try to avoid the “um's”, “er’s”, “uh’s” etc.

Use your voice: Change your rate, change your volume.
Pause. Be dramatic.

Try to move out from behind the podium. Move from one
side of the room to another when making a new point.

PRACTICE ! And then practice some more! The practice
makes a difference…
Your speech will be assessed as pass/fail based on the following items.
See the Comm 111 Score Sheet for more specifics.
Item
Time
# of sources required
Requirement
8-10 minutes
At least 3
Preparation Outline required Best Practices
Visual/Audio Aids
2