TIME LIMIT: 1-2 Minutes
 
OBJECTIVES:
To practice organizing and preparing a speech.
To practice delivering a speech using manuscript reading and extemporaneous delivery styles.
 
INSTRUCTIONS:
The Current Event Mini Speech is a 1-2 minutes speech in which you will summarize a current event. Select a news story
which is of particular interest to you
from any local or national newspaper, online news source, or news magazine.
  
Plan to develop and organize your mini speech using the following outline:
 
Introduction:
           
State your name and the name of this speech (Current Event Mini-speech). Identify the title of the story, the date, and the source of the article. Describe the theme of the article in one sentence (what the story is about). READ THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THE ARTICLE.
 
Body:
                          
In about three points or so tell us what the article is about. Focus on communicating with your audience the essentials of the story. (Here you are practicing extemporaneous delivery – you should know what you want to say and refer to your notes only occasionally. Look up at us and talk to us like you’re telling a friend about an interesting story you came across.)
 
Conclusion:
               
Explain why this story caught your attention, why you think it is important, and if appropriate, if you agree or disagree with the story.
 
EXPECTATIONS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA:
 
1.
   
Choose your article from any reputable news source. Prepare your presentation by jotting down notes that fit each part of the speech described above. Next, read over your notes and determine what will fit in the 1 to 2 minutes time limit. On an index card (5” x 8”), write down key words to jog your memory while delivering your speech. Practice your speech with your cards so that you know it well and know it fits the time requirements.
 
2.
   
You will NOT need to gather your own audience for this speech. You will record your speech and submit your video on Connect for your classmates to watch. Try to speak conversationally and loud enough so all can hear you, and look at your audience (the camera). SMILE. Glance only occasionally at your notes.
 
3.
   
You will receive up to
25
points for completing the Current Event mini-speech.


 
Current Event Mini-Speech – Grading Rubric
 
Each line is 0-2 points (unless noted),
25 points total possible
.
 
INTRODUCTION:
 
___ Identified title, date & source of article used
___ Described theme of the article in one sentence
___ Read first sentence of article (manuscript reading)
 
 
BODY:
 
___ Summarized three important points of article
 
 
CONCLUSION:
 
___ Explained why article was selected
___ Described importance or opinion on article
 
 
DELIVERY:
 
___ Looked up occasionally while speaking
___ Smiled occasionally at audience
___ Sounded extemporaneous and conversational (not memorized or read)
___ Projected voice so all could hear
___ Used appropriate & audience-inclusive language (avoided slang or profanity)
 
 
OVERALL EVALUATION:
 
___ Fulfilled 1 to 2 minutes time requirement
___ Delivered speech while standing (not sitting down)
 
 
COMMENTS: