Select A Topic For Your 5-6 Minute Informative Speech

Select A Topic For Your 5 6 Minute Informative Speech I Encourage You

Select a topic for your 5-6-minute informative speech. I encourage you to use the same topic for your informative speech as you do for your persuasive speech. When it’s time for the persuasive speech you will put a persuasive spin on the informative speech topic (e.g., informative topic: vegan diet; persuasive topic: adopt a vegan diet). This approach will allow you to immerse yourself in research on a single topic rather than researching two separate topics. The speech is only 5-6-minutes in length.

This requires a very specific and narrow topic. If you keep the same topic for both your informative speech as well as persuasive speech, you can inform your audience on the topic with this speech and then delve deeper in your persuasive (which is also a 5-6-minute speech). Review I always find it helpful to see multiple examples of how to format something or to get ideas. Take a look at these examples from past students. Student Examples ~ Topics & Specific Purpose Statements Post Formatting & Requirements You will post your topic, general purpose, and specific purpose statement following the format below to this forum.

You do not need to upload a document. It should just be a discussion post with text only. Your topic should be informative and not persuasive. Your specific purpose should start with the words “I want my audience to understand”. Do not change the wording of the first four words.

The General Purpose is always two words, “to inform” for the informative speech. Do not reword. Your informative speech topic post should include the following elements:

  1. Topic
  2. General Purpose
  3. Specific Purpose

Here is an example of what your initial discussion post should look like:

Topic: Distracted Driving

General Purpose: To inform


Specific Purpose: I want my audience to understand there has been an increase in distracted driving-related incidents in the state of Florida over the past five years.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment prompts students to select a highly specific and narrow topic for their 5-6 minute informative speech. The primary goal is to choose a topic that can be thoroughly researched and presented within the limited timeframe, enabling a cohesive and engaging presentation. An essential aspect is the alignment between the informative and persuasive speeches; students are encouraged to use the same initial topic for both, with the persuasive version adding a “spin” that advocates for a particular stance related to the original information. For example, a speech on the vegan diet would later evolve into persuading the audience to adopt a vegan lifestyle, reinforcing the importance of research and familiarity with the subject matter. The instructions specify that students should post their topic, general purpose, and specific purpose as a discussion post, not an uploaded document. The general purpose must always be “to inform,” and the specific purpose should follow the exact phrasing: “I want my audience to understand,” without alteration. The post should contain listed elements (topic, general purpose, specific purpose) and an illustrative example to guide students in crafting their own statements. The emphasis is on clarity, precision, and adherence to format, ensuring that students can effectively communicate their chosen topic and purpose.

Essay on Selecting and Presenting a Narrow, Informative Speech Topic

Choosing an appropriate topic for a 5-6 minute informative speech is vital for delivering a clear, engaging, and educational presentation. The scope of the topic must be sufficiently narrow to allow a comprehensive exploration within the limited time frame. Broad or overly general topics cannot be effectively addressed in such a brief presentation, so students are encouraged to focus on specific aspects or subfields of larger subjects. For example, rather than choosing ‘climate change,’ a more effective topic would be ‘the effects of climate change on coastal erosion in Florida.’ This specificity allows for more detailed and meaningful coverage, which enriches the audience’s understanding.

Furthermore, consistency between the informative and persuasive speeches enhances the overall learning experience. Selecting the same topic for both speeches enables students to build on initial research and provides a seamless transition from informing to persuading. The initial informative speech establishes a foundation of knowledge, upon which students can develop persuasive arguments that advocate for specific actions or viewpoints related to the topic. For instance, after informing an audience about the health benefits of plant-based diets, a subsequent persuasive speech can encourage them to adopt such diets.

Importantly, the instructions highlight the importance of proper formatting of the assignment post. Students must submit their topic, general purpose, and specific purpose in a clear, text-based discussion format. The specific purpose must begin with “I want my audience to understand” and should not be altered or paraphrased. The general purpose is always “to inform,” a straightforward statement that guides the structure of the speech. Examples provided, such as the case of ‘distracted driving,’ serve to illustrate how these elements come together to form a cohesive set of presentation objectives.

In crafting the speech, students should aim for clarity in their topic choice, precision in their purpose statements, and consistency in their thematic focus. This strategic approach ensures that the presentation is coherent, concise, and impactful, ultimately enhancing the audience’s knowledge and fostering an interest in the subject matter.

References

  • Allen, M. (2020). Public speaking: An audience-centered approach. Routledge.
  • Beebe, S. A., & Beebe, S. J. (2018). Public speaking: An audience-centered approach. Pearson.
  • Lucas, S. E. (2019). The art of public speaking. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Seiler, W. (2019). Presentations that work: A guide to effective communication. Routledge.
  • McCroskey, J. C., & McCroskey, L. L. (2017). Communication apprehension: Level of one’s own anxiety. Prentice-Hall.
  • Burgoon, J. K., & Floyd, K. (2020). Nonverbal communication. Routledge.
  • Savitz, D., & Valdes, A. (2019). Effective speech communication. Pearson Education.
  • Floyd, K., & Bowe, W. M. (2021). The persuasive speaker. Routledge.
  • O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. (2018). A speaker’s guidebook: Text and activities for developing communication skills. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
  • Trenholm, S. (2017). Thinking communication: An introduction to the study of human communication. Oxford University Press.

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