E1. Exploratory Speech Project with Overhead Presentation (10 minutes):
Here you will develop your own in-depth knowledge of an historically important and influential philosopher or issue.
For this project you will be assigned to do one of the following: an Exploratory Speech or an Exploratory Debate
Presentation. Choices are limited by a lottery in class. You will need to select a speech topic that is on a particular day
listed in the Schedule Section of this syllabus. Warning – Please note: You will be publicly asked to stop your
presentation (either Speech & Debate) if you do not have a Works Cited page up front and then page-numbered
references throughout your presentation slides (pages) that correspond to them. You will then be asked to go later and
will receive a half-grade deduction.
If you are assigned the Exploratory Speech—Directions:
1. After consulting your course text and other histories of philosophy (like that written by Donald Palmer,
Samuel Stumpf, Peter Kreeft, Frederick Copleston, etc. [See H]), you are to give on your topic a creative 10-minute well-
organized speech highlighting three distinct but related points on what’s important and interesting in the Speech topic.
In order that the class may follow the speech more effectively you will have outlined and presented your speech in your
own words (always explain ideas in your own words before quoting others) using PowerPoint (In this class, a
PowerPoint presentation entails not using sentence fragments or bullet points but complete sentences, paragraphs, etc.).
Before you begin giving your speech in class you will need to submit one paper copy to me of all the content (without
background if possible) that you will show. It should have page-numbered references on every slide/page with
references to at least 3 non-internet books (in your outline). In addition, you will attach one readable full-page
photocopy or picture of a relevant page of each of these 3 sources (3 full pages). Do not rely on AI.
2. Use the following general format:
SLIDE 1: Title Slide
SLIDE 2: Work Cited Slide: Full information for at least 3 non-internet books that you have used!
(no Wikipedia or open-source sites where anyone can contribute)
SLIDE 3: Plan: Your well-organized outline of topics to be covered (i.e., overview, preview)
SLIDE 4: Topic or point #1 (with specific page numbered references) – (could be biography or background) which then leads to
SLIDE 5: Topic or point #2 (with specific page numbered references) – (could be a major idea) which then leads to
SLIDE 6: Topic or point #3 (with specific page numbered references) – (could be a major idea) which then leads to
SLIDE 7: Conclusion & Quote (with a page numbered reference to an actual book [do not use internet sites])
SLIDES 8 & 9: E2 Evaluation Exercise/Proposal (see below)
Self-Checklist:
o Did you use a history of philosophy? (Not applicable to a few certain topics)
o Dotitlesofwholeworks/bookshaveitalics?
o Are there page-numbered references on each slide/page for the sources of the ideas (i.e., not only for quotes)?
o Do you have a Works Cited Slide up front with the full bibliographical information that your references refer to?
o Did you proofread and use (or try out) Microsoft Editor function in Word?
E2 Evaluation Exercise/Proposal: This is typed out in the same PowerPoint file but not orally presented.
This is simply a presentation (in the same PowerPoint file and paper copy to me) that has the following:
A statement about your topic, a question concerning the value of knowing a specific idea of your philosopher, your thesis, an argument for your
thesis, an argument against your thesis, and a response to the argument against and resolution. See model/example below: It will have the
following format (with an example):
A) Topic & brief summary of philosopher’s idea: I am writing about (give full name of your philosopher)’s idea or argument about
__________.
B) Question: Is my philosopher’s (use last name) idea about ______________________________ valuable to know?
C) Thesis: My philosopher’s idea is valuable to know.
D) Full Argument for Your Thesis:
I argue that my philosopher’s idea is valuable to know because . . .
E) Full Argument against Your Thesis:
Someone might argue that my philosopher’s idea is not valuable to know because . . .
F) Response to Argument against & Resolution:
While my opponent’s view does ____________, it does not count fully against the value of my philosopher’s idea because . . . and,
in conclusion . . .
G) (New!) Be prepared informally to tell the class your evaluation of the idea and prepare for questions on your E2 material.
o A LEGIBLE PH0TOCOPY, PDF, OR JPEG (or phone picture), of one key page from an important selection of each authoritative
source used (3 photocopies total). These should be stapled to the back on your paper copy and submitted to instructor.
o Staple all of your work together and submit it (like a “ticket”) before you present!
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