- Creative Speech Outline (due before the actual speech)
When we organize our speeches (after we have decided on the general and specific speech goals (see chapter 11 from pages 225 to 226) and after we have conducted some research (in this case sources you cite should only be at least two peer-reviewed academic sources preferably articles in journals, one professional source (see the rest of chapter 11) and an interview, you must write a speech outline. Before you attempt to do this, read chapter 12 focusing on pages 250 to 251.
Your speech outline will be graded based on the presence of the following:
General goal (stated something like. I want to persuade my audience). This is broad. It does not tell what about your specific intention/goal.
Specific goal (stated something like – I want to persuade my audience to consider creatively solving problems they face in group communication settings).This is more specific and tells us about your goal much better than the general aim.
Thesis Statement (no more than two sentences that summarize your general and specific goal) and tells the audience about what your speech is going to focus on/what is called a speech preview.
Speech body outline – Three main points and two sub points under each main point in the body of the speech (see pages 250-251 and pages 264-268). For an example of how to structure the body of the speech in an outline.
Four sources of information – two academic studies published in journals, one source of information published on the website of a professional organization, and an interview.
For an example of a speech that has been outlined see pages 388 to 396.
- Creative Problem-Solving Speech (seven to 10 minutes)
Reflect on the group project/s in this class and prepare a 7-10 minute speech about what you might do to creatively resolve some of the conflicts that arose. This is your opportunity to also reflect on the paper you wrote about working in and with a virtual group/s. Your speech must present creative solutions (at least three). Think of what went wrong. If nothing went wrong, think of other groups you have been a part of. How might you have resolved those conflicts and challenges? If you have never worked with other individuals in a group setting, construct hypothetical situations. The point is to participate in this assignment.
I will grade your speech using the following criteria:
- ability to present creative solutions that are not a simple reproduction of existing solutions.
- problem solving – do the solutions appear as if they will creatively and logically solve identified problems that arose (could have arisen) in the group. That is, is the connection between the solution and the problem/conflict/challenge clear?
As you prepare for your speech refer to the public speaking chapters in our textbook. Specifically, please focus on chapter 17 so that you learn to use the appropriate language for speeches.
You must also conduct research (this is in three parts) about creative problem solving. The first part of your research is this: you must read two academic study conducted about creative problem solving and mention these studies during your speech. Here is an example of how you can mention an academic study, “Professor Mebi at the University of Saint Louis argues that…” or something like, “according to research conducted at the University of Missouri…” etc. Remember, newspapers, television shows, political party websites, blogs, podcasts etc. are not academic sources of information even if you access these via the Jeffco Library. An academic piece of information is that which is researched by a scholar, peer-reviewed by other scholars, and published in an academic platform such as a journal or an academic book. Not all books are academic. If unsure please contact me.
The second part is this: as part of your research also consult one professional source of information. A professional source of information could be an organization that helps other businesses creatively solve problems or one what helps individuals or children. Learn and mention what this organization teaches about creative problem solving. In your speech remember to mention the organization by name.
For the third part, you must conduct an interview with anyone (does not have to be a specialist in any field, can be a friend or a colleague) about that person creatively solves problems. Again, make sure that you verbally mention the interview in your speech. Here is how you can do that, “to see what other people think about creative problem solutions, I conducted an interview with Linda, my work colleague and this is what she told me…”
Finally, your speech must include two relevant visual aids (can be objects that you show and explain). You are also required to have at least four people as audience members. Before you begin your speech, pan the camera out (cellphone camera is acceptable) to show your audience members.
You must submit a written speech along with your video. Your written speech must have a works cited page/reference list properly formatted in either MLA or APA. At the bottom of your written speech paste the link to your video or paste the link directly on Canvas. Some students post their videos on YouTube then copy and paste the link on the written speech or on Canvas. Should you choose to upload your video on YouTube, ensure that the link (to the video) you post on Canvas is not broken. Remember to upload your speech video to Canvas by the deadline. A grading rubric is provided on Canvas.