Informative Speech Outline

Informative Speech Outline This lesson aligns with CLO#9 and should take approximately 60 minutes Assignment Overview In this module, you will complete your structured, full-sentence informative speech outline. Your outline must demonstrate your ability to organize and support a clear, audience-centered speech. This is your opportunity to plan everything from your attention-getting opener to your clincher conclusion. Refer to the guidelines below as you complete your outline, and review the included examples and tips for each section from your lessons. Review the example outline: Example Informative Speech Outline.pdf Download Example Informative Speech Outline.pdf Be sure to create and submit your outline using the approved outline template: Informative Speech Outline Template.docx Download Informative Speech Outline Template.docx Required Sections Speech Title Write a full, creative title that reflects your topic clearly. Examples: Digital Shadows: What Your Online Data Says About You The Stress Loop: How to Break Free with Mindfulness Fuel for Focus: How Nutrition Impacts Brainpower Tip: Avoid vague titles like My Speech or Wellness. Specific Purpose Statement Write one sentence beginning with: To inform my audience… or To persuade my audience… Example: To inform my audience about three everyday techniques for reducing anxiety. Central Idea Statement The central idea (also called the main idea) is like a thesis statement in an essay. Its a one-sentence summary of your three main points. It tells your audience what to expect and helps keep your content focused and on track. Example: The three major steps in washing your hands properly are using the correct temperature, lathering for the correct amount of time, and covering all important areas.” Introduction The five-part introduction for an informative speech should include (in this order): 1) an attention device, 2) the topic statement, 3) explain why the audience should listen, 4) establish speaker credibility, and 5) preview the main points Attention Device Start your speech with a relevant attention-getter. You may use: A surprising statistic A short personal story A question or quotation Example: Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why youre there? You’re not aloneand it may have more to do with your diet than your memory. Topic Statement Introduce your topic in a neutral, informative way. Avoid persuasion here. Example: “Today I will discuss how nutrition affects brain function and emotional well-being. Relevance to Audience Clearly state why your topic matters to your classmates. Example: This topic matters to you because college students often face mental burnout, and practicing good nutrition improves academic performance. Speaker Credibility Mention the relevant research youve completed to prepare for this speech (also mention any personal expertise or training) Examples: My research for this includes articles from the NIH, Time Magazine, and Psychology Today. My research for this includes articles from the NIH, Time Magazine, and Psychology Today and I also completed a course on personal nutrition last semester.” Preview Statement In one complete sentence, preview your three main points. Example: Today, Ill explain what brain-boosting nutrients are, how they work, and where to find them in everyday foods. Main Points & Subpoints Each main point must: Be a full sentence Be followed by at least two subpoints (A and B) Include one subpoint as a verbal source citation Additional subpoints can be further explanation, examples, or elaboration. Include a transition sentence between each main point Example (Main Point I): I. Nutrients such as Omega-3s and antioxidants help the brain function more efficiently. A. These nutrients improve memory, attention, and processing speed. B. You feel more mentally alert after eating foods like salmon, walnuts, blueberries, and spinach these are nutrient-rich options high in omega-3s and antioxidants known to support efficient brain function. C. According to Dr. Amy Beck, author of a March 2021 Harvard Health website article, a Mediterranean-style diet has been linked to better cognitive health. Transition Statement: Now that I have discussed how nutrients help the brain function, lets now look at how these nutrients work inside the brain. Verbal Source Citations Each main point must have at least one verbal source citation as subpoint A under that main point. Example: According to a March 2022 website article in Scientific American, Dr. Jon Stewart wrote students who consumed Omega-3s performed better on memory tests. Reference the Verbal Source Citation Instructions and Examples Download Verbal Source Citation Instructions and Examples Conclusion The conclusion should review each one of the main points in one sentence and end with a final clincher statement. Review Main Points Restate your three main points in one complete sentence. Example: Today weve explored the nutrients that fuel our brains, how they work, and how to incorporate them into your meals. Clincher Statement End your speech with a memorable closing line. Examples: The next time you reach for a snack, think about how it might power your brain. Smart eating isnt just about your bodyits about your mind. Works Cited Page You must include a Works Cited page with at least three different source types, correctly formatted in MLA style at the end of your outline. Accepted Source Types Journal article Credible website Magazine or newspaper article Book or book chapter Encyclopedia entry Unacceptable Sources Wikipedia Blog posts without author credentials Study help sites like SparkNotes MLA Example: Smith, John. Nutrition and Brain Health. Harvard Health Publishing, 2022, www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/brain-health. Formatting & Mechanics Use the official outline template provided on Canvas Write in complete, single sentences for each main point and subpoint Do not write paragraphs Use outline formatting (Roman numerals, capital letters, indentation) Check for grammar, clarity, and organization Final Submission Checklist Title of Speech Specific Purpose Statement Central Idea Statement Attention Device Topic Statement Audience Relevance Statement Personal Credibility Statement Preview Statement (1 full sentence) Three Main Points (each with at least 2 subpoints) One verbal citation per main point Full transition sentences after each main point Review of points in conclusion Strong clincher sentence MLA-formatted Works Cited page with 3 different source types Correct outline format and full-sentence structure Informative Speech Outline Rubric Informative Speech Outline Rubric Criteria Ratings Points Title of Speech view longer description Excellent Wrote the full title of the speech 4 pts Good 3 pts Average 2 pts Poor 1 pts No Credit 0 pts /4 pts Specific Purpose Statement view longer description Excellent Wrote the specific purpose statement. (Example: To inform my audience about three everyday techniques for reducing anxiety) 4 pts Good 3 pts Average 2 pts Poor 1 pts No Credit 0 pts /4 pts Central Idea Statement view longer description Excellent Wrote the Central Idea Statement as a one-sentence summary of your three main points (Example: The three major steps in washing your hands properly are using the correct temperature, lathering for the correct amount of time, and covering all important areas.) 6 pts Good 4 pts Average 3 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /6 pts Attention Statement: Introduction view longer description Excellent Wrote a one-sentence attention statement – a relevant question, statement, quotation, statistic, etc. 6 pts Good 4 pts Average 3 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /6 pts Topic Statement: Introduction view longer description Excellent Wrote out a single topic statement (Example: Today I will inform you about _____) Did not preview the main points in your topic statement. 6 pts Good 4 pts Average 3 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /6 pts Audience Relevance: Introduction view longer description Excellent Included a statement of relevance to the audience. Stated why and how the topic is useful, helpful, and/or beneficial to the immediate audience – your classmates. (Example: This topic matters to you because college students often face mental burnout, and practicing good nutrition improves academic performance) 8 pts Good 6 pts Average 4 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /8 pts Personal Credibility: Introduction view longer description Excellent Did you include a statement of personal credibility? (Did you establish your own credibility to speak on the topic by stating relevant research you performed for this speech, and if applicable, any personal experience with the topic?) 8 pts Good 6 pts Average 4 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /8 pts Preview of Points: Introduction view longer description Excellent Previewed each main point in one complete sentence. (Example: Today I will inform you of ________, _________, and _________) 8 pts Good 6 pts Average 4 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /8 pts Complete Sentences view longer description Excellent Wrote all main points and subpoints as full and complete sentences. The outline contained no questions or sentence fragments. 12 pts Good 9 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Single Sentences (Main Points & Subpoint) view longer description Excellent All main points and subpoints written as only one sentence each. (No more than one sentence per main point, subpoint, etc.) 12 pts Good 9 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Subpoints view longer description Excellent Each main point has at least two subpoints. (Each main point has at least an A and a B) 6 pts Good 4 pts Average 3 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /6 pts Transition Statements view longer description Excellent Full and complete transition statements appear between each main point. (Example: Now that I have discussed how nutrients help the brain function, lets now look at how these nutrients work inside the brain.) Template: *Now that I have discussed ______, I will discuss ______* 12 pts Good 9 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Verbal Source Citations view longer description Excellent A separate verbal source citation appears as a subpoint under each main point. Each verbal source citation is written in one clear and concise sentence. (Example: According to a March 2022 website article in Scientific American, Dr. Jon Stewart wrote students who consumed Omega-3s performed better on memory tests.) 12 pts Good 9 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Correct & Complete Verbal Citations view longer description Excellent Each verbal source citation includes the author name(s), month and year of publication, type of source, title of source, and the relevant supporting information from that source. (Example: According to Dr. Amy Beck, author of a March 2021 Harvard Health website article, a Mediterranean-style diet has been linked to better cognitive health) 12 pts Good 9 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Review of Main Points: Conclusion view longer description Excellent Each main point is reviewed in the conclusion in one simple and comprehensive sentence. (Example: Today I have told you about ____, _____, and ______) 12 pts Good 10 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Clincher Statement: Conclusion view longer description Excellent The conclusion ends with a clincher statement written in one full and complete sentence. (The conclusion should not end with a question, irrelevant statement, or paragraph) Example: The next time you reach for a snack, think about how it might power your brain. 12 pts Good 10 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Works Cited & Outline Sources view longer description Excellent Each of the sources in the Works Cited area appear in the text of the outline. Each of the sources in the outline appear on the Works Cited page. 12 pts Good 10 pts Average 6 pts Poor 4 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Source Types view longer description Excellent The Works Cited page contains three different types of sources 12 pts Good 10 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts MLA Citation Style view longer description Excellent Each source on the Works Cited page is correctly and completely formatted in correct MLA format 12 pts Good 10 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts Clarity and Organization view longer description Excellent The content of the outline organized, clear, and easy to understand 6 pts Good 4 pts Average 3 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /6 pts Outline Template view longer description Excllent The outline is formatted and submitted using the required Informative Speech Outline template 6 pts Good 4 pts Average 3 pts Poor 2 pts No Credit 0 pts /6 pts Mechanics view longer description Excellent The outline is written in correct sentence structure, and is free of spelling errors, capitalization errors, grammatical errors, typos, etc 12 pts Good 10 pts Average 6 pts Poor 3 pts No Credit 0 pts /12 pts