You’ve learned a lot about effective speaking and you’re already working on improving your delivery skills. It’s time to take the next step toward becoming a powerful speaker! Your second assignment is to prepare and deliver a well-researched, informative speech. Everything you’ve read and practiced so far in this course relates directly to successful informative speaking.
Instructions: In order to obtain full credit for this assignment, please complete all five (5) steps below. You may want to print this assignment and check off each step as you complete it.
You should use at least two quality resources (as defined by your instructor).
STEP 1: Read Assigned Chapters
 Ensure you have completed chapter readings for all previous weeks. This information will help you successfully complete Assignment 2.
 Chapter 9: Organizing the Body of the Speech. This chapter will help you create a well-organized speech that connects with your audience.
 Chapter 10: Beginning and Ending the Speech. This chapter will help you prepare a strong introduction and conclusion for your speech.
STEP 2: Select a Topic (due Week 3)
 Select a type of informative speech from one of the four types listed below. Choose your own topic that is different from the provided examples.
 Submit your topic to your instructor by Week 3 for approval.
Types of Informative Speeches
(Choose only one type and then choose your own topic that differs from the examples.)
Speech About an Object
Examples:
 Legos
 Service dogs
 Susan B. Anthony
 Matterhorn
Speech About a Process
Examples:
 Flash floods
 Writing resumes
 How a power plant works
 The stages of dementia
Speech About an Event
Examples:
 Boston Marathon
 Festival of the Sun
 Cyberterrorism
 History of the Paralympics
Speech About a Concept
Examples:
 Numerology
 Philosophies of education
 Net neutrality
 Confucianism
STEP 3: Create an Outline (due Week 4)
 Create an outline or speaking notes in Microsoft Word. A sample template is available in the “Assignment 2: Outline” section located in Week 4 of your course.
 Develop a specific purpose, central idea, and several main points so you’ll stay within the 6-minute time limit.
 Go to the Week 4 “Assignment 2: Outline” section and upload your outline.
 The outline is worth 30 points and is graded separately.
STEP 4: Deliver, Record, and Upload Your Speech (due Week 5)
 Go to the Week 5 “Assignment 2: Informative Speech” section and click the link under “Instructions” to access Speech Assignment Submission Instructions.
 Refer to your outline or speaking notes to deliver your speech. Do not read your notes word for word. Make sure you record your speech delivery with a computer, phone, or tablet.
 Watch your recording. Do you want to submit it, or do you want to record another version?
 Go to the Week 5 “Assignment 2: Informative Speech” section and upload your speech.
For additional help recording and uploading your speech, go to the “Course Tool Help” link in the left-hand navigation bar in Blackboard and review the Speech Assignment Submission Guide located under “Kaltura Media and Webcam Recorder Help.”
STEP 5: Complete a Self Review (due Week 5)
 Go to the Week 5 “Assignment 2: Self Review” section.
 Follow the instructions listed to complete and submit your Self Review of Assignment 2.
 The self review is worth 30 points and is graded separately.
Rubric
Grading for this assignment will be based on the following rubric:
Points: 120 Assignment 2: Informative Speech Criteria Unacceptable Below 60% F Meets Minimum Expectations 60 – 69% D Fair 70 – 79% C Proficient 80 – 89% B Exemplary 90 – 100% A

1. Introduction
   Does not gain attention and
   Insufficiently gains attention
   Some problems with gaining
   Gains attention and
   Gains attention and interest,
   Weight: 10%
   interest, and/or does not preview main points
   and interest or insufficiently previews main points
   attention and interest and/or with previewing main points
   interest, generally previews main points
   previews main points
2. Research
   Weight: 15%
   Does not cite any credible sources, and/or insufficiently supports main points
   Cites only one credible source, insufficiently supports at least one main point
   Cites at least two credible sources, but lacks support for at least one main point
   Cites at least two credible sources that generally support main points
   Cites at least two credible sources that support main points
3. Conclusion
   Weight: 10%
   Does not reinforce central idea, and/or does not use strong closing
   Insufficiently reinforces central idea or uses weak closing
   Some problems with reinforcing central idea and/or with using strong closing
   Reinforces central idea, uses generally strong closing
   Reinforces central idea, uses strong closing
4. Speech Organization
   Weight: 15%
   Limited or no organization, and/or limited or no logical structure
   Insufficiently organized or insufficiently structured
   Some problems with organization and/or with logical structure
   Well organized, generally logical structure
   Well organized, logical structure
5. Time Requirement
   Weight: 10%
   5–6 minutes +/- 75 seconds
   5–6 minutes +/- 60 seconds
   5–6 minutes +/- 45 seconds
   5–6 minutes +/- 30 seconds
   5–6 minutes +/- 15 seconds
6. Delivery
   Weight: 15%
   Very little/no eye contact, no expressive voice, unnatural gestures
   Insufficient eye contact, limited expressive voice and/or unnatural gestures
   Average eye contact, some expressive voice, minimally distracting gestures
   Good eye contact, generally expressive voice and natural gestures
   Strong eye contact, expressive voice, and natural gestures
7. Technology Use [Online], Speech Clarity, and Visual Quality
   Weight: 10%
   Limited or no audio, video, and/or other technology
   Problems with clarity and consistency throughout
   Some problems with clarity and consistency
   Generally clear and consistent
   Clear and consistent throughout
8. Overall Effectiveness
   Weight: 15%
   Doesn’t connect with audience or achieve purpose
   Limited connection with audience, doesn’t fully achieve purpose
   Connects somewhat with audience, partially achieves purpose
   Generally connects with audience and achieves purpose
   Connects well with audience and achieves purpose