THE INTRODUCTION SPEECH
In this speech, you will be introducing a key figure in the communications field. Each figure has had a powerful impact in shaping the communications industry as we know it today.
Choose one of the following historical figures:
Johannes Gutenberg
John Milton
Benjamin Day
James Gordon Bennett
Joseph Pulitzer
William Randolph Hearst
Sarah Josepha Hale
Frank Munsey
Lincoln Steffans
Ida Tarbell
David Graham Phillips
Ray Stannard Baker
Samuel Hopkins Adams
Upton Sinclair
George Horace Lorimer
George Orwell
Volney Palmer
Sut Jhally
Thomas Paine
Benjamin Franklin
P.T. Barnum
Ivy Lee
Edward Bernays
George Creel
Stephen Crane
Walter Lippman
Frederick Remington
Marshall McLuhan
Walter Cronkite
Mathew Brady
Rachel Carson
Joan Didion
Nellie Bly
Fredrick Douglass
Ernie Pyle
Robert S. Abbott
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Ethel Payne
Samuel E. Cornish
Connie Chung
W.E.B. DuBois
Marcus Garvey
Dan Rather
Katie Couric
Keep in mind that some of these people accomplished many things in their lifetime (example: Benjamin Franklin); make sure that you are focusing on their achievements as they relate to communications. If you have questions about this, please let me know ASAP.
Speech details:
Your speech should be 3 – 5 minutes long. Read the Speech Timing policy on Moodle to make sure you understand the parameters of the speech format. Record your speech and upload it to Connect in the Introduction Speech assignment.
Once you establish your topic, consider the following for a good outline:
- Grab the attention of the audience. Immediately introduce your central message and establish the main point.
- Provide background information. Give context so the audience understands the relevance of this person.
- Work out the focus of your discussion in a few sentences. Why is this person important to the communications industry? What is this person’s crowning achievement?
- Give an example; expand on the achievement that makes this person important.
- In conclusion, explain how the communications industry might be different without this person and/or their discoveries. What do we have today because of this person’s contributions? What polices or procedures have we changed based on previous historical events/procedures?
Speech Delivery Advice:
- Plan the speech and rehearse it. You 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 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.
- Aim to address the audience (the video camera) with as much eye contact as possible.
- CONSIDER THE BACKDROP OR BACKGROUND FROM WHICH YOUR SPEECH IS CREATED! Remember that the background can distract the viewer/listener if you are not careful. Remember that any noises, visual distractions, etc., that can negatively impact your speech will result in point deductions.
Here are Some Things I Look For in ANY Speech:
___ Did the speaker have an introduction? ___ Body? ___ Conclusion?
___ Did the speaker express ideas in an orderly way?
___ Did the speaker maintain audience attention with content? ___ delivery?
___ Did the speaker have good eye contact with the audience?
___ Did the speaker avoid filling pauses with words such as “like,” “you know,” “um,” “uh,” or “and”?
___ Did the speaker use vocal variation?
___ Did the speaker use hand gestures effectively?
___ Did the speaker use good posture and have a confident stance/presence on camera?
___ Did the speaker have appropriate facial animation?
___ Was the flow of words smooth and uninterrupted?
___ Did the speaker put the audience at ease?
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT
You must upload the following pieces of documentation to receive credit for this assignment.
A Word document containing your outline (via MOODLE).
The uploaded video speech (to CONNECT). You have the option to upload a video OR record through CONNECT.
Complete the Student Self-Review that is included as part of the upload process in CONNECT. You will not be able to do the review until you upload/submit your video file.
Grading
- The speech: 100 points
- Time (3-5 minutes), Content, Organization, Preparation, Delivery Vocalized Pauses, Eye Contact (see rubric on MOODLE).
- Student Self-Review: 15 points
AS ALWAYS, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS ASSIGNMENT, BE SURE TO CONTACT ME WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE SUNDAY DEADLINE.
