2. Choosing and developing a topic for your senior project

3. It is important that you select a topic of interest to you: Researching will be more fun Audience will be interested if you are You are stuck with it all semester

4. Topics You Cannot Choose Are: Legalizing marijuana Lowering the drinking age Abortion All topics must be approved by the teacher

5. Choosing an interesting topic When looking for a topic consider:  Your favorite hobbies  Personal experiences  Values- what is important to you  Interests- what would you like to learn more about?  Future careers – what’s the argument?!  Take 5 minutes and write down three ideas to share with the class

6. Criteria for selecting a topic: Is this topic appropriate to the occasion? Will this topic appeal to my listeners’ interests? Do I really care about my topic? Is this topic something I can speak about with enthusiasm and insight? Is there an argument regarding my topic Is my topic too broad If so, can I narrow it down? Will I be able to offer a fresh perspective on this topic?

7. When narrowing your topic ask the following questions: 1. What does the audience most likely know about this subject? 2. What specific elements are most important to this topic? 3. How much can I competently research and report on in the time I am given to speak?

8. Defining the general purpose of your topic What do you hope to accomplish in presenting at the end of the semester?

9. Three general purposes for speaking To entertain- providing your audience with something pleasurable to listen to To inform- teaching your audience about a topic To persuade- to move your audience to a new attitude or behavior

10. After defining your general purpose you will need to define your specific purpose

11. Specific purpose (more focused than general purpose) First thing decided before constructing a final presentation Keeps you focused during construction of your senior thesis Tells what outcome you expect after giving your final senior thesis presentation

12. Specific purpose is expressed in the form of a purpose statement A Purpose statement is a complete sentence describing exactly what you want your speech to accomplish

13. Three criteria for a good purpose statement: 1.Should be receiver oriented 2.Should be specific 3.Should be realistic

14. Examples of Purpose Statements: After listening to my speech, the class will be able to list five important things to remember when scuba diving for the first time. (Informative) After listening to my speech, the class will realize the importance of voting, and feel encouraged to take part in the next election. (Persuasive)

15. The thesis statement Central idea of your speech is Main idea you want your audience to remember Stated in beginning and end of your speech Constructed at the end of creating your speech The thesis is much more focused than your purpose statement

16. What are the three general purposes for speaking? To entertain To inform To persuade

17. Introduction There are four functions of the introduction: 1. Capture audience attention 2. Preview main points of your speech 3. Set the mood and tone of the speech 4. Demonstrate why this topic is of importance

18. Attention-Grabber “The Hook”

19. The conclusion Conclusion has three essential functions: 1.To review the thesis 2.To review your main points 3.To provide a memorable final remark

20. When Concluding Remember… Do not end abruptly Do not ramble, make it clear when speech is over Do not introduce new points Do not apologize Do end your speech in a strong manner, with a powerful concluding statement

21. Supporting material Four functions of supporting material 1. To clarify 2. To make interesting 3. To make memorable 4. To prove

22. Types of supporting material Definitions Examples -hypothetical examples Statistics Analogies/ Comparison-contrast Anecdotes Quotation/ Testimony

23. Styles of Support: Narration and Citation Narration- telling a story with your information Citation- a simple statement of the facts

24. Using Visual aids Used in a speech in order to support or help illustrate ideas being discussed They may show how things look Show how things relate to one another Show how things work Can be used as evidence

25. Types of visual aids Objects and models Diagrams Words and number charts Pie charts Bar and column charts Line charts

26. Presentation of visual aids May use the whiteboard in order to draw illustration, or post up graphics you would like class to see May use large flip pads or Poster Board May use handouts

27. Rules for using visual aids 1.Simplicity- keep your visual aids simple - each exhibit should contain no more than seven lines of text 2. Size- should be large enough for entire class to see clearly 3. Attractiveness- should be visually interesting, neat, and aesthetically pleasing

28. Rules continued… 4.Appropriateness- should be appropriate to speech. - should directly relate to speech -should add to speech -should emphasize the point you are trying to make 5.Reliability- should have ability to be in control of your visual aid at all times. ***make sure that you are facing the audience when presenting your visual aids

29. In Conclusion When constructing your topic and presentation remember the important elements for the introduction and conclusion Remember, only use visual aids in order to strengthen your speech

30. Write this down. Now! Wandohigh.com > Library Media Center > DISCUS > Opposing Viewpoints in Context http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/browseIssu eshttp://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/browseIssu es

31. Your Turn! Topic Proposal Forms Topic Proposal Presentation