SPEECH INTRODUCTORY ASSIGNMENT This is a two minute speech of self-introduction. The purpose of this assignment is to give you a chance to "break the ice" with the audience. Begin your speech by introducing yourself (name, year, major and hometown at least) then develop the body of your speech according to one of the following descriptions. 1. Bring in an object that represents who you are or would like to be. Include in your talk, how the object represents you. If the object is too large to bring (or is not allowed on campus such as weapons or live animals), you may use a picture or a model. Remember, we are not interested in the object itself, but rather in what the object reveals about you. Give a speech where you answer the question: What new and/or unusual events occurred on your birthday? Talk to your family or go to the library and read a newspaper from the day and year you were born. Create your speech by using information that you find interesting and that will tell the audience a little about who you are. Tell us the story of a moment in your life when you knew you were "your own best self." Perhaps it was a moment of success in meeting a particular challenge or a time when you felt that you had moved beyond the typical human state of egocentrism. Such a speech is typically a narrative, but be sure to pull the parts together or to tell the moral of the story as well so that the point you want the audience to about learn you is clear. Plan the speech and rehearse it. You will want to leave the audience with a good impression of you. You also want to begin to get used to speaking with a time limit. Organize your ideas. Make sure the speech has an introduction, body, and a conclusion. Deliver the speech from one 4" x 6" note card with just key ideas on it. This will be the best way to practice for the speeches to come--and you know the topic very well. Aim to address the audience with as much eye contact as possible.
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Assessment: This speech will give the chance of getting some quick simple feedback on some of the speaking skills you bring into the class. Your Lab instructor will look for the following issues: ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Did the speaker have an introduction? ___ Body? ___ Conclusion? Did the s...