Session 1: Today let’s get into the details of the requirements for the Speech of Introduction assignment that was introduced last week.

Assignment 1: Introductory Speech (1-2 minutes)
Due: Week 2, Session 2 (5 points)

Objectives

1. Get to know another member of the class specifically, and the rest of the class generally (and begin the process of audience analysis)
2. To get a chance to give a short speech that demonstrates your ability to:
   a) Make good strategic choices in developing your speech for your audience
   b) Organize material effectively, with an Introduction, body and conclusion
   c) Use supporting materials (evidence) effectively
   d) Emphasize using narrative to illustrate your points of view
3. Observe and critically evaluate how others prepare and present a speech in order to establish the foundations for more sophisticated rhetorical analysis

Logistics

1. You will be randomly assigned a partner. If there’s an odd number of people in the class then the last group will have three people assigned.
2. Spend time interviewing your partner in order to find out information about them that can be used in a speech of introduction. Find a compatible time and location for your interviews and document your sessions by recording audio (use a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop) of the interaction, writing notes, and transcribing the recording.
3. Consult other sources of information to learn more about your partner, perhaps through online profiles or communicating with friends or family.
4. Using the information gleaned from the interview and other research, prepare a 1-2 minute long speech introducing your colleague to the class. Include at least one story about the other person. Notes may be used, but deliver the speech without reading directly from any documents.

Interviewing Question Strategies

1. As you prepare to have a conversation with your partner be aware of the questions you might ask.  Questions do not spring serendipitously from our curiosity (though they can), but can and should be a communicative event/strategy in itself.  To help you think about a “considered” question, think of continuum of question forms you can use:
   a) Closed: form a question which needs a one word or very limited answer
   b) Open: form a question that solicits longer responses. In this situation, do your best to ask open questions.
2. Think of the types of questions you can ask during the interview: recognize that questions can be phrased in a closed to open format.
   a) A question of clarification: if they said something you didn’t understand, ask a question which will lead to understanding
   b) A question of extension: if they said something that you understood but would like to hear more about, this type of question should lead to an extension of their original comments;
   c) Question seeking new information: this is a “left field” question where you may ask them about any topic which was not addressed in the course of their answers thus far.

3. Prepare a list of starter questions, though don’t be confined by these – they are starters for the conversation!
   a) Consider the “information” you want from your partner (often fairly closed questions: “where did you go to high school?”)
   b) Consider the “opinions” you want to encourage from your partner (more open questions: “how do you like St. Thomas so far?”)
   c) Consider the order in which you want to develop your line of questioning: what will you start with and where will your questioning take you (home and family, educational and professional plans, individual interests and activities, opinions on current issues)
   d) Create a device for taking notes

Preparing the speech

1. Prepare the opening: what will you say first to begin your speech?
2. How will you “introduce” your subject?
3. How will you cluster the content of your speech so it is easy to follow, understand and remember?
4. How will you end your speech – what will you say last?

Evaluating the speech
You will be evaluated on how effectively you:

1. Meet the requirements of the assignment
2. Present the speech within the context of the situation
3. Effectively engage the audience and deliver the message

Relevant Reading
Read Pages 1–19 of The Speaker’s Compact Handbook (Fifth Edition)

Female education advocate and youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai, interviewed by Jon Stewart in 2013.

KHUM-FM Program director, music director, and mid-day host Mike Dronkers on How to Interview “Almost” Anyone.

1. Do the research!
2. Follow up on their answers
3. Relevant Ice Breakers
4. Listen!
5. Dead air chicken
6. Bored people are boring / Interested people are interesting
7. Don’t forget to shut up

Session 2: Today we will be presenting your speeches of introduction. You and your partner will sit at the front of the class and introduce each other. Please remember to keep it quick (1-2 minutes).