Informative Speech: Company Profile

This speech focuses on developing the skills needed to research and use adequate resource material. Particular attention should be paid to the selection of a relevant topic and materials for this audience, as well as adequate supporting materials and clear organization. For this speech a company or organization is chosen (i.e. Apple Computer, Dow Chemical or even a state agency). An informative profile is conducted that may include: revenue sources, employee characteristics, expenditures, product development, financial condition, market competition, historical information, etc.

Your task is to:

A. Orally present an informative speech on a topic of your choice that is of significance and interest to you and your audience.

B. Limit your speech to 5 ‑ 7 minutes in length.

C. Create a message that contains:

(1) An introduction which (i) gains the attention of the audience, (ii) makes the topic relevant to

the audience, and (iii) clearly states your purpose or thesis statement.

(2) Transitions which (i) overview your major points, (ii) review the previous points in the body

moving on to the next point, and (iii) preview the next point before moving into a description

of that point.

(3) Uses the organizational arrangement discussed in class (Intro, body, conclusion).

(4) A body with at least three forms of support for each main point of the body. You should use at least three different types of support (e.g., illustrations, statistics, comparisons, testimony). [GOAL: to have adequate supporting material and to develop information sufficiently]

(5) A body with 3 ‑ 5 main points.

(6) Verbal citations of the sources used in a speech, integrated with the materials as they are used.

(7) A conclusion that (i) provides logical and psychological closure and (ii) clinches the speech.

D. Work for an effective language style (e.g., concise, clear, concrete).

E. Work for a delivery (1) which is vocally and physically effective and (2) which uses the

extemporaneous mode effectively.

F. Turn in a bibliography with at least five sources used in your speech preparation, in proper

bibliographic format (e.g., MLA, APA).

G. Choose, design, and use a visual aid(s) so that it enhances what you are saying. Visual Aids might

include poster boards, overhead transparencies or handouts.

H. Turn in a formal outline of the whole speech.

Informative Speech Evaluation Form

Student:

Topic:

	needs work	below average	average	above average	Wow!	COMMENTS
1. Introduction Did it get our attention? Was the thesis clear? Is the topic made relevant to the audience? Were major points previewed?	2	4	6	8	10
2. Transitions Were they effectively used to preview and review?	1	2	3	4	5
3. Body · Clear organizational pattern w/2-5 points? Enough information for audience understanding? (Is there support for each main point?) Adequate source citations?	5	10	15	20	25
4. Conclusion provide logical and psychological closure? clinch the speech?	2	4	6	8	10
5. Delivery · Volume? Articulation? Rate? Pitch? Gestures? Eye Contact?	4	8	12	16	20
6. Visual Aids Good selection and design (quality of illustrations)? Good use (well displayed and discussed)?	4	8	12	16	20
7. Outline Formal principles of outlining? Bibliography? 5 sources?	2	4	6	8	10

Time: ____________ (5-7 minutes) Grade:__________________