TIME LIMIT: 1-2 Minutes

OBJECTIVES:

1.   To practice organizing and preparing a speech.

2.   To practice delivering a speech using manuscript reading and extemporaneous delivery styles.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The Current Event Mini Speech is a 1-2 minutes speech in which you will summarize a current event. Select a news story which is of particular interest to you from any local or national newspaper, online news source, or news magazine.   Plan to develop and organize your mini speech using the following outline:

Introduction:      State your name and the name of this speech (Current Event Mini-speech). Identify the title of the story, the date, and the source of the article. Describe the theme of the article in one sentence (what the story is about). READ THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE ARTICLE.

Body:                   In about three points or so tell us what the article is about. Focus on communicating with your audience the essentials of the story. (Here you are practicing extemporaneous delivery – you should know what you want to say and refer to your notes only occasionally. Look up at us and talk to us like you’re telling a friend about an interesting story you came across.)

Conclusion:        Explain why this story caught your attention, why you think it is important, and if appropriate, if you agree or disagree with the story.

Topic approval: Not required for this speech, as long as it meets the criteria described here.

REQUIREMENTS & EVALUATIONA CRITERIA:

·      You will receive up to 25 points for completing the Current Event mini-speech.

·      Choose your article from any reputable news source. Prepare your presentation by jotting down notes that fit each part of the speech described above. Next, read over your notes and determine what will fit in the 1 to 2 minutes time limit. On an index card (5” x 8”), write down key words to jog your memory while delivering your speech. Practice your speech with your cards so that you know it well and know it fits the time requirements.

·      Attach a copy of the article (scan and save it, or take a picture of the first page—it must show the title of the story, date, source, and first sentence of the article) to the assignment in Connect. After you submit the video, there is a place to attach documents. Browse your computer to find your article. In order for your speech to count as “on time” you must submit both your Preparation Outline and your Speaking Outline at the time you submit your video and by the due date on the calendar.  Label the article properly.  For the title of the document add your first and last names.  So, the title of your document (save your documents with this title) will be “Article – YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME).

·      You will NOT need to gather your own audience for this speech. You will record your speech and submit your video on Connect for your classmates to watch. Try to speak conversationally and loud enough so all can hear you, and look at your audience (the camera). SMILE. Glance only occasionally at your notes.

·      Watch your video to be sure it meets the requirements in the Guidelines to Recording document.  If it does not, then re-film your presentation to avoid submitting a speech which will be failed or rejected.

·      After you submit your speech video, you should watch your video again, and complete the self-evaluation on Connect. This counts as part of your speech grade. If you see a problem with the video, notify your instructor immediately so it can be reset by the deadline (remember, you need to give your instructor at least 36 hours to respond to an e-mail, then your instructor will need time to reset the speech, and you will need time to upload it by the deadline; uploading takes time.  It is recommended that you upload your speech initially at least 3 full days before the due date (5 is recommended) in order to allow enough time for a reply, reset, and re-uploaded speech before the deadline.

·      You will receive up to 25 points for completing the Current Event mini-speech.

CHECKLIST OF ITEMS DUE:

___ News article submitted through Connect (-5 points if not included)

Current Event Mini-Speech – Grading Rubric

Each line is 0-2 points (unless noted), 25 points total possible.

INTRODUCTION:

___ Identified title, date & source of article used

___ Described theme of the article in one sentence

___ Read first sentence of article (manuscript reading)

BODY:

___ Summarized three important points of article

CONCLUSION:

___ Explained why article was selected

___ Described importance or opinion on article

DELIVERY:

___ Looked up occasionally while speaking

___ Smiled occasionally at audience

___ Sounded extemporaneous and conversational (not memorized or read)

___ Projected voice so all could hear

___ Used appropriate & audience-inclusive language (avoided slang or profanity)

OVERALL EVALUATION:

___ Fulfilled 1 to 2 minutes time requirement

___ Delivered speech while standing (not sitting down)

ARTICLE

___ Article submitted through Connect (- 5 points if not)

COMMENTS: