Advocacy Speech: Advocacy

Welcome to the Research Guide for Advocacy Speech!v

 

Advocacy Speech

 

This assignment asks that you argue one side of an issue of your choice.  You must present evidence of a significant social problem that can be solved by a change in American policy.  You must advocate a solution to the problem, and present evidence that your solution is workable.  Basically, the speech comprises your main claim and a series of quotations from journals, periodicals, newspapers, and books, linked by transitions written by you, that support your claim.  Your presentation must be 5-7 minutes long and contain at least 5 credible sources.  You must verbally cite the source, the source’s qualification, and the date of publication, but not the page number.

 

Mechanics

 

The most important aspect of this assignment is selecting the right support for your position.  The sources that you cite should be respected in their field (i.e., don’t cite Vogue, Madonna, or anything that resembles Soap Opera Weekly unless your speech is about those things.)  Internet sites that cannot be evaluated by the listener may not be used.  You must include the authors name, his or her qualification, the publication in which the quotation appeared, and the date.  The page number does not need to be included.

The structure of the speech is as follows: 

1. Presentation of the problem (known as need or harms). 
2. Which action must be taken or which policy must be changed (the plan) to solve the problem. 
3. The workability of the plan (solvency).

Delivery

 

The speech must be memorized.  You will submit a copy of your speech via GoogleDocs according to the deadlines listed below.  Eye contact and a certain amount of passion and energy are required to maximize your score.  Therefore, PRACTICE (with a timer, in order to determine if you have enough or too much material).

 

5-7 minutes = about 4-6 pages or 800-1000 words, depending on your rate of speech

 

 

 

Advocacy Speech Timeline

 

Library/Computer Lab

Research and Writing                  April 27-May 6

 

FIRST DRAFT DUE*                     May 6 (by 5:00pm)

 

In Class Showings

w/Peer Feedback                           May 11-May 20

 

Library/Computer Lab

Rewrites and Adjustments         May 27

 

FINAL DRAFT DUE*                   May 27 (by 5:00pm)

 

In Class Memorized Rehearsal

(Intro & Conclusion)                    June 1

 

FINAL PRESENTATIONS          June 10-June 17

 

 

 

*All drafts must be brought to class to work with and take notes on AND submitted electronically to the Google Doc Folder by 5:00pm on the Due Dates listed above.  Any submissions received after 5:00pm on the Due Dates listed above will receive a 0 homework grade. 

 

Name                                      

                                                                                                                                                           

Advocacy Speech Evaluation

 

                                                                                                                                           

Delivery

 

Your voice is strong and your words are clear enough

to be understood.                                                                               1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

You use a variety of rates and pause appropriate

for your speech.                                                                                 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10           

 

You use gestures, facial expression, and eye contact

to effectively communicate.                                                              1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

You have a strong vocabulary

and avoid slang, poor grammar, and mispronunciations.                 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

Content

 

Your speech is organized clearly and is easy to follow.                   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

Your speech contains good reasoning and logic,

rather than shallow thinking and broad generalizations.                    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

Your speech contains at least 5 examples or expert opinions

in support of your ideas or conclusions.                                           1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

Your speech’s specific legislative action or remedy

is clearly explained.                                                                          1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

Presentation

 

Your physical stance is strong and your demeanor seems sincere.  1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10  

 

You know the text well enough that memorization problems

don’t detract from the quality of the speech.                                    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10

 

 

 

Total               /100