Topics selected, time to craft your speech

I enjoyed watching Army commercials with you all and hope you have a better grasp of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos. One common way of using these persuasive strategies is to focus heavily on one, like we saw with the recruitment commercials. The Army primarily used Pathos. The Marines used Ethos. And the Sweden ad used Logos.

As you compose your persuasive speeches, consider what strategy outlined in the book will be most effective with your topic and with your audience. Remember, you are trying to convince members of the class to do what you are pitching to them. You have four minutes to give your pitch to the class. Your window is 3:30 to 4:00.

For Thursday, I want you to read Chapter 10 in your book. Focus on the section that discusses memorable word structure. This is something the rubric is looking for, so consider this section as you craft your speech. I also want you to skim Chapter 12.

Just FYI. Here are some important dates:
- Draft outline due October 23
- Final Outlines due October 30
- Speeches given from October 30 and November 1

Post your topic, read a chapter

On Thursday we watched the last informative speech, discussed the persuasive strategies used by Graham Hill, talked about our next speech assignment, and watched our speeches and reflected on what we learned.

That's what I call a productive class period!

If you missed class, here's the link to the reflection questions.
This document has links to your speeches. 

This weekend, I want you to think of a topic for your persuasive speech and post it on Facebook. You can change it later, but I want you to have a starting point.

I also want you to SKIM Chapter 6 in the textbook and READ Chapter 8; this chapter deals with introductions and conclusions, something that could really be strengthened in many of your speeches.

Have a great weekend!

Let's get Persuasive

Your informative speeches showed a marked improvement from the first speeches you gave in class. Nice work. I heard some great introductions and attention getters and saw many of you skillfully incorporate images and videos with your speeches. 

Now that your informative speeches are over, I want you to begin thinking about the next speech: your persuasive speech. To prep for this, I want you to read Chapter 14 in your book. In this speech you will be given four minutes to convince us to do something. As we watch your speeches, we will decide if it's something we want to do.

Here's how it will work. When you give your persuasive speech, we will "vote" on speeches that spark our interest. After all the speeches are over, you will turn in a list of your top five or ten speeches to me. I will then form new small groups, placing you in one of your top choices, and you, as a group, will attempt to accomplish your objective while taking videos and pictures to share with the class. More on that later.

A few things to keep in mind as you come up with ideas: campus activities are easier to accomplish, if your activity is off campus, tell us how you will arrange travel. Activities that can be accomplished during a class period tend work better than long, drawn out activities. Fundraising activities seem to be difficult for groups. Activities that involve personal changes (see the video below) can work better for people who don't live on campus.

Remember, you goal is to convince a few people to join you in your activity. You don't have to convince the whole class. Analyze your audience and target your demographic specifically if you'd like. 

Think of some ideas. Bring questions to class on Thursday and we can talk through them.

If you want to prep for the daily write on Thursday, watch this video. Consider what techniques outlined in the book Graham Hill is using in his speech to persuade us to be a weekday vegetarian.


Have a great Wednesday.

Finish Prezis. Speeches start Tuesday.

I now have your outlines, and we got time today to begin working on our Prezis. Looks like you all are well on your way to being prepared to speak on Tuesday.

Remember to practice your speech out loud using the Prezi. Time yourself to make sure you'll hit the 4:30 to 5:30 minute time frame. A five minute speech is what we are looking for.

If you have any questions, post them on our Facebook group or email me. Watch this video too. I like how Ayah uses her visual presentation aids.



Have a great weekend!

Finish Outlines and Focus on Visuals

Today we got some good feedback on our outlines and learned how the class will be set up. As part of our discussion, we decided to move presentations to begin on Tuesday, October 2 in exchange for only using Prezi as our visual presentation aids.

Finalize your outlines, print them, and bring them to class on Thursday. Make sure to attach your draft (which we worked on today) to your final outline. 

I know a few of you are struggling with Prezi, so I want to use Thursday as a visual workshop. To be prepared, gather all the video and photos you'll need and have them ready to use in class. I'll go over Prezi again, show you some ways to organize your presentations, and show you how to edit videos you upload on YouTube.

To prepare for class, watch this video and think about the power that effective visual communication has with an audience.

Have a great Wednesday!

Let's get those Outlines finished

I am happy to find I have lots of draft outlines emailed to me today, and I'm doing my best to respond to you as I travel and attend/present at the Georgia International Information Literacy Conference.

Keep polishing your outline for class on Tuesday; that's when your final outlines are due.

For Tuesday's class, I want you to read Chapter 9 in your book. Focus on integrating supporting research--I see many of you are struggling with this. Also, watch this video (see below). Consider how Marcin organized his speech. How did Marcin attempt to capture the attention of his audience?



Have a great weekend.

Let the Research Begin!

A big thanks to the Noel Studio's Trenia Napier for showing us the library's website and offering an orientation on the Noel Studio. I also was impressed by the Special Collections Librarians presentations. You know, both Trenia and the other librarians gave an informative speech, just like we will be doing!

Remember, for the Informative Speech, I'll be looking for at least three sources.  

I will be traveling to a conference on Thursday, so don't come to class. Use that time to conduct research and/or write a draft of an outline.  

By the end of class on Thursday, I want you to email that outline draft to me (shawn.apostel@eku.edu). I also want you to read Chapter 13. Focus on learning style and strategies to maintain interest. As you write your email to send me the outline draft, tell me how you will attempt to get your audience interested in your topic. If you are not sure, use the email as a brainstorming session and tie in concepts from your readings.

Check back on the blog Thursday night or Friday. I'll have a new assignment posted then.