The+Social+Issue+Speech

Oral Communication: Now and Then: Social Issues—Speech to Inform


 *  Points: 100 points for speech (80 individual, 20 group)/notecard; 40 points for outline/bibliography **

 **Time Limit:** 4-7 minutes + 1-2 minutes to field questions.

 **Purpose:** To demonstrate knowledge of a select issue, inform the audience both of the historical basis and current state of the issue, incorporate visual support (ie. powerpoint) for your speech, and finally, to improve extemporaneous speaking abilities.

 **Assignment:** What is a “social issue” anyway? Social issues affect members of a given society and are often considered to be “problems” and/or controversies that challenge and/or impact moral values. For this speech, you will be assigned a partner or small group and together you will choose one particular social issue present in //Romeo and Juliet// that still persists today. (Refer to list below, but check with me if you have other ideas.) You and your partner will research and clarify ideas as you prepare, and together you will generate one cohesive speech (all group members must speak for the approximately the same amount of time and all must speak within the body of the speech). Organize your ideas chronologically to show the audience how your particular social issue has developed over time and to explore any similarities or differences between Elizabethan England and today. You must use a minimum of **four different sources of information** for your speech. Included among them must be one **internet source**, **one book**, and **one newspaper or magazine article.** Other possible sources include an interview with a knowledgeable individual, an encyclopedia (on-line or in book form), or a TV/Radio broadcast.

Some possible themes and issues in //Romeo and Juliet// that are relevant to today:  · Teen/Parent communication  · Hate crimes/violence  · Teen suicide  · Teen Depression  · Teen dating (premarital relationships)  · Marriage norms  · Gender roles  · Gangs  · Beauty (What is considered attractive?)

**Requirements:** Your speech should have three distinct sections: Introduction; Body; Conclusion.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The introduction must: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1) Capture the audience's attention and motivate them to listen; <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2) Provide clear, yet brief background information on the particular social issue <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3) State a clear thesis regarding your social issue (what it is and why it is a problem)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The body of the speech must: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1) Have three clear chronological divisions (main points); <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2) Offer evidence from your research materials to support your main points; <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3) Use transitions between main points.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The conclusion of the speech must: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1) Restate the thesis, using new wording; <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2) Summarize the main ideas of the speech; <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3) Offer a thoughtful ending statement.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You may use ONE notecard (4X6) w/ max. 30 wds (per group member). You may not use notes for the intro and conclusion and you must know your speech well enough to establish sustained eye contact during the entire speech.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> You must incorporate a visual element to this speech (google docs presentations). Note that words must be minimal in these visuals. Incorporate **one picture, one quotation and one visual graph or statistic.** You may use up to five slides in this presentation.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some Resources <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Elizabethan Era [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Shakespearean England [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Focus Adolescent Services [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Support [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Teen Depression [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Social Issues Index from Multnomah [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Issues and Controversies [] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Social Change []