LA+Feb+4-5


 * //Apparently, there is too much info on this page to figure out what, exactly, you need to do. For ease of understanding, I have made a very simple, point-form directive for today. If you need further explanation, see the info below, or ask me for assistance://**


 * Gather all possible ideas for your speech. Even if they are only possibilities.
 * Prioritize your info. Which ideas absolutely need to go in.
 * Re-arrange or set aside out the rest.
 * Research your ideas.
 * Create a thesis statement and show it to me.

=//***DO NOT BEGIN WRITING YOUR ROUGH COPY UNTIL I HAVE SEEN AND APPROVED A THESIS STATEMENT!***//=

Today will basically be a continuation of yesterday's class (once I see what you did yesterday). **Mainly, I would like you to get as much information gathered about your topic as possible. It's better to have too much, then narrow your approach as you edit.**

//1. Research your topic (even demos have to have a research component) 2. Begin / continue your brainstorming 3. Based on your brainstorming, research the ideas you have come up with.

When your research has been completed (for now), follow the following steps:


 * __Opinion / Info speech__**//
 * Organize your main points and info in the order that you feel it should be presented.
 * Under each main heading, jot down quick points to support your statement.
 * For those of you writing an opinion piece, remember that you should back up your ideas with research. This is not as tough as it seems. If you think a bit of information is important enough for a speech, ask yourself 'why?'. Another thing to look for in your searching is an interesting fact or quotation that you can use to introduce your speech. This is called a grabber.

__Demonstration speech__ > > You do not need to begin your rough copy today, but if you get your researching done, I suggest you create an outline of the body of your speech.
 * Organize your main points and info in the order that you feel it should be presented. Remember you MUST have some history or background on your topic.
 * List the steps that you feel are needed to demonstrate your item / skill. For each step, you should write point form instructions. Be specific!
 * Choose a minimum of three major points to discuss in your speech. For each of these, have __good, solid support__ based on research. Your research should include websites, books, and personal interviews! Ask an adult, call somebody if possible, even search for an interview if need be. Directly involving an individual is called a primary resource **and is very effective. You may even wish to conduct your own poll.**

__Writing your Introduction__ -- **//taken from the ezine article written by Jim Peterson// A speech introduction has one main goal: to focus the attention on your central idea by making a clear statement and previewing your main ideas. Write the introduction part of your persuasive speech after you have finished your thesis statement and the supporting points and arguments. Only than you are able to summarize the thesis in one attention grabbing sentence. The goals of an speech introduction are: introduce your topic, yourself and the purpose of your speech. Make them want to hear the rest of your speech. 1. A good speech introduction is the same as making a good first impression. So, greet you audience and hosts, look at them, take a breath and then immediately catch the attention with a smashing oneliner. That first line contains your claim or assertion. Examples of speech openers:** 2. State the thesis or central idea. Draw the contours of the topic in a few direct and clear sentences. Help your public to fully understand the context. 3. Tell why the issue is worthwhile to think about. 4. Introduce and preview your main supporting points, view and ideas in one short sentence each. 5. Tell why they have to know the in's and out's. Tell how the speech topic idea relates to the the needs and interests of the audience. 6. List a major benefit. 7. Now that you have told you message and aroused interest, it's time to establish your credibility. Introduce yourself and your background expertise in one or two sentences. State how the theme relates to you, by showing your enthusiasm or expertise. Then use a transition sentence to head for the body part and the main supporting points of your [|persuasive speech topics]. The length of the introduction paragraph has to be in balance with the total length of your speech. If you talk for let's say two or three minutes, then don't write an extended speech introduction.
 * Ask a thought-provoking rhetorical question and directly answer it with your claim.
 * State an amazing fact or statistic they probably never have heard of.
 * Offer a stirring example.
 * Cite a quotation or funny remark that describes the situation you are going to talk about.
 * Make an very controversial statement.
 * Tell a compelling anecdote nobody knows.
 * Give a definition of an expert to enhance credibility. But be creative in defining your ideas.
 * If you are dealing with demonstration speech topics then show the object of you speech.

//I will post a discussion on the Facebook page (see left) for you to post questions. I will check as often as possible.//

__RESOURCES

[|Here is a great website]__** //that outlines the steps in a demonstration speech. I'll be going over it quickly in class, but you will need to go through it in detail on your own.

[|Here is another website]// //for those writing an opinion speech. A lot of this will be things you've heard before, but it would be a great idea to go over it prior to brainstorming and researching. It will give you a bit of focus.

Here are a few charts I pulled from your 'Learning Essentials' program (it's on your laptops). If your computer has Microsoft Encarta on it, that can be a great help as well. I can show you if you like.

[| Problem Solving Chart.doc] [| Supporting Reasons Table.doc] [| Objections Chart.doc]//