For this COM 104 class you will be performing an Informative Speech designed to Inform Through Explanation (See Chapter 11.1 Page 539). This is a is a great opportunity for you to inform your audience about a topic that you are interested in. Please also review Chapter 9.1, which discusses brainstorming a topic.
If you are still trying to determine what topic you will select for this speech, it is useful to brainstorm topic areas you may be interested in. Below see an example of a brainstorming exercise. This part of the assignment does not need to be submitted, but is useful for getting your informative speech process started.
Once you have picked your topic, it is important to develop three main points to go with and support your topic. Finally, it is important to develop a your speech goal and thesis. In summary, you should develop:
Topic Idea
Three Main Points, and
Develop a Speech Goal and Thesis
Below please some example topics, main points, and speech goals/theses for reference.
Topic: Anorexia Nervosa
Main Points:
What is anorexia nervosa?
How it effects the person with the eating disorder.
Why does this happen
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want my audience to understand more about anorexia nervosa. I will discuss what anorexia nervosa is, how it effects the person with the eating disorder, and why it happens.
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Topic: Depression
Main Points:
How does it affect the mind?
How does it affect the body?
How does it affect the people around you?
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want my audience to understand what depression is and how it effects its victims. I will discuss how depression affects the mind, body, and people around you.
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Topic: Child Abuse
Main Points:
What is the definition of child abuse?
How does the emotional and physical trauma affect the children?
What is the long term side effect of child abuse?
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want my audience to better understand some of the issues around child abuse. I will define what child abuse is, the trauma it causes, and the long term impacts.
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Topic: Anxiety
Main Points:
What is Anxiety?
How does Anxiety affect a person's mental and physical health?
Why does Anxiety occur? What are the causes?
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want my audience to learn more about anxiety. I will breakdown what it is, how it can affect someone's mental and physical health, and finally how it can occur.
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Topic: Chronic Lyme Disease
Main Points:
What is Lyme Disease/Chronic Lyme?
How does it affect someone who has it?
How to prevent it.
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want to inform my audience to learn more about Lyme Disease. I will share with you what Lyme Disease is, how it impacts those affected, and how to prevent it.
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Topic: Gerrymandering
Main Points:
The origins and meaning of the word
Effects of gerrymandering
Examples of gerrymandering in the past and present
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want to inform my audience about gerrymandering. I will talk about its origins, the effects of gerrymandering, and provide some examples.
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Topic: Physician Assisted Suicide
Main Points:
What is Physician Assisted Suicide?
What are the requirements/process when requesting it?
In what states is PAS legal?
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want my audience to learn more about physician assisted suicide. I will share with you information about what PAS is, the requirements for requesting it, and finally I will share more about the states where it is legal.
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Topic: Hepatitis C
Main Points:
What is Hepatitis C?
What are the causes of hepatitis C
How can it be spread from one being to another?
Speech Goal/Thesis: I want to share more information about Hepatitis C. I will share what it is, what causes it, and finally how it can be spread from one being to another.