Assignment Task:
1. Think about a speech that you would like to present on a topic of your choice. You can use the same speech topic that you selected in Unit 1 or choose a new one.
2. The speech can be for any context and any length. See the list of example speech occasions and purposes for inspiration.
3. Download and answer each question in the Unit 2 Touchstone Template based on the speech you are thinking of: Touchstone_2_Template.doc
4. Consider your audience, purpose, and thesis and complete Part 1 of the template.
5. Utilize your program resources, the internet or a local library to find three credible sources that are relevant to your speech and complete Part 2 of the template.
6. Read through your sources to identify five pieces of evidence that support your thesis and complete Part 3 of the template. Be sure to use at least three different types of sources (example, statistic, analogy, definition, visual, story, testimony).
7. Review the rubric to ensure that you understand how you will be evaluated. Ask a Sophia learning coach if you have any questions.
Public Speaking Touchstone -
Complete the following template, including all parts. Fill out all cells using complete sentences, aiming for one to three complete sentences for each cell of the template.
Assignment Part 1: Topic
Assignment Purpose: What are you hoping to achieve with this speech?
Audience - Who will be in your audience? What do you know about them?
Thesis - What is the key message of your speech?
Assignment Part 2: Sources
Source 1:
Retrieved from - Where did you get this source? Include location, book, periodical, url, etc.
Age - How recent is the data or information presented in your source?
When was the source published? If the source is a website, when was the website last updated?
Depth - What does the source cover?
How well-researched and detailed is the source? How much depth is the topic covered in?
How is this content and level of detail relevant to your purpose, audience, and message?
Author - How is the author qualified to speak on the topic?
What is the author's purpose?
What biases might they have?
Is the information the author's opinion alone or is it supported by cited facts?
Money: Who funds the website or publication?
Are there items endorsed or for sale? If so, what items?
What is the reputation of the website or publication?
Source 2:
Retrieved from - Where did you get this source? Include location, book, periodical, url, etc.
Age - How recent is the data or information presented in your source?
When was the source published? If the source is a website, when was the website last updated?
Depth - What does the source cover?
How well-researched and detailed is the source? How much depth is the topic covered in?
How is this content and level of detail relevant to your purpose, audience, and message?
Author - How is the author qualified to speak on the topic?
What is the author's purpose?
What biases might they have?
Is the information the author's opinion alone or is it supported by cited facts?
Money: Who funds the website or publication?
Are there items endorsed or for sale? If so, what items?
What is the reputation of the website or publication?
Source 3:
Retrieved from - Where did you get this source? Include location, book, periodical, url, etc.
Age - How recent is the data or information presented in your source?
When was the source published? If the source is a website, when was the website last updated?
Depth - What does the source cover?
How well-researched and detailed is the source? How much depth is the topic covered in?
How is this content and level of detail relevant to your purpose, audience, and message?
Author - How is the author qualified to speak on the topic?
What is the author's purpose?
What biases might they have?
Is the information the author's opinion alone or is it supported by cited facts?
Money: Who funds the website or publication?
Are there items endorsed or for sale? If so, what items?
What is the reputation of the website or publication?
Assignment Part 3: Support
Support 1:
Support - What is the piece of support (example, statistic, analogy, definition, visual, story, testimony) that you are going to use in your speech? E.g. "50% of all American voters..."
Type of Support - What type of support is it? Is it an example, a statistic, an analogy, a definition, a visual, a story, or a testimony?
Relevance - How does this piece of support reinforce your message?
Support 2:
Support - What is the piece of support (example, statistic, analogy, definition, visual, story, testimony) that you are going to use in your speech? E.g. "50% of all American voters..."
Type of Support - What type of support is it? Is it an example, a statistic, an analogy, a definition, a visual, a story, or a testimony?
Relevance - How does this piece of support reinforce your message?
Support 3:
Support - What is the piece of support (example, statistic, analogy, definition, visual, story, testimony) that you are going to use in your speech? E.g. "50% of all American voters..."
Type of Support - What type of support is it? Is it an example, a statistic, an analogy, a definition, a visual, a story, or a testimony?
Relevance - How does this piece of support reinforce your message?
Support 4:
Support - What is the piece of support (example, statistic, analogy, definition, visual, story, testimony) that you are going to use in your speech? E.g. "50% of all American voters..."
Type of Support - What type of support is it? Is it an example, a statistic, an analogy, a definition, a visual, a story, or a testimony?
Relevance - How does this piece of support reinforce your message?
Support 5:
Support - What is the piece of support (example, statistic, analogy, definition, visual, story, testimony) that you are going to use in your speech? E.g. "50% of all American voters..."
Type of Support - What type of support is it? Is it an example, a statistic, an analogy, a definition, a visual, a story, or a testimony?
Relevance - How does this piece of support reinforce your message?
Assignment Part 4: Reflection
What have you learned from completing this activity?
Attachment:- Template-Touchstone.rar