Touchstones are projects that illustrate your comprehension of the course material, help you refine skills, and demonstrate application of knowledge. You can work on a Touchstone anytime, but you must complete this unit’s assessments before you submit it. Once you’ve submitted a Touchstone, it will be graded and counted toward your final course score.
Touchstone 3: Persuasive Speech
ASSIGNMENT: Think about a persuasive speech that you would like to present on a topic of your choice. The speech can be for any context, but it must be persuasive. See the list of example speech occasions and purposes for inspiration, if needed.
Personal
- Product recommendation
Academic
- Presenting academic work (argumentative paper, research, or report)
- Academic speech and debate
Community
- Speech at a community gathering (PTA meeting, boy/girl scout convention, town hall, homeowner’s association, athletic league, school board meeting, etc.)
- Community action speech (asking for something, promoting a policy, etc.)
- Political speech (on behalf of a candidate, yourself as candidate, etc.)
Business
- Presenting to colleagues or peers (pitching ideas, etc.)
- Presenting to superiors (project proposal)
- Convention presentation (pitching new products, rally speech, teachable moments, etc.)
In order to foster learning and growth, all work you submit must be original for this course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.
Touchstone Support Videos
Organizing your Persuasive Speech
Persuading your Audience
Choosing the Right Language
Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety
A. Directions
Step 1: Plan Speech
Plan your speech, considering what your introduction, main points, and conclusion will include.
Step 2: Organize Speech
Organize your speech, following the structure of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. Your speech should include an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should contain your key message. The body should cover your main topics and support to back up your main points. Make sure that all support is relevant and from credible sources. Your conclusion should summarize your main points and provide a call to action.
Step 3: Create Notes
Create notes or bullet points that you can refer to while presenting your speech.
Step 4: Practice Speech
Practice presenting your speech. Aim for a speech that is 3 to 5 minutes in length.
Step 5. Review Rubric
Before filming, review the rubric to ensure that you understand how you will be evaluated.
Step 6: Film Speech
Film yourself presenting the speech. Be sure that you can be easily seen and heard, and direct your speech to the camera.
Step 5: Review Video
Review your video to ensure that you can be seen and heard. Refilm as needed.
Step 6: Review Checklist and Requirements
Review the checklist and requirements to ensure that your Touchstone is complete.
Step 7: Submit
Upload your video using the blue button at the top of this page.
Refer to the checklist below throughout the recording process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
❒ I have selected a speech purpose that is persuasive.
❒ My speech follows the structure of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.
❒ My speech has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
❒ The introduction includes my key message (thesis).
❒ The body includes my main points and support.
❒ I have selected sources that are credible and support that is relevant.
❒ I have used language that is appropriate to my audience.
❒ The conclusion summarizes my main points and includes a call to action.
❒ I have filmed a video of myself presenting my speech.
❒ The video of my speech is 3 to 5 minutes in length.
❒ I have reviewed the video and I can be easily heard and seen.
❒ I have adhered to all of the requirements.
❒ I have read through the rubric and I understand how my Touchstone will be evaluated.
B. Rubric
Advanced (100%)Proficient (80%)Needs Improvement (60%)Non-Performance (0%)
Organization (25 points)
Organize your speech according to the structure of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.Speech structure meets all requirements (follows Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, includes key message in introduction, includes main points and support in the body, and includes a conclusion).Speech structure meets all requirements, however some support is missing, or one element of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence is not represented.Speech structure is missing one requirement or important elements of two requirements.Speech structure is missing two or more requirements, or the requirements are misinterpreted/met inadequately.
Persuasion (20 points)
Present a clear and persuasive stance on an issue.Speech takes a clear stance on an issue that impacts society and the arguments and approach are consistently persuasive in nature.Speech takes a stance on an issue that impacts society and the arguments and approach are primarily persuasive in nature.Speech does not take a clear stance on an issue that impacts society and/or speaker’s arguments and approach are not primarily persuasive in nature.Speech does not take a stance on an issue that impacts society and/or persuasive support is minimal or absent.
Use of Appeals (20 points)
Include evidence of logos, pathos, and ethos in your speech.Uses all three kinds of appeals in multiple instances.Use all three kinds of appeals, but one type of appeal is used minimally.Only uses two kinds of appealsUses only one type of appeal or does not use any appeals.
Balance of Appeals (20 points)
Make effective use of logos, pathos, and ethos to persuade your audience.Uses all three types of appeals effectively with a balance that is appropriate to the topic, purpose, and audience.Primarily uses all three types of appeals with a balance that is appropriate to the topic, purpose, and audience, however, one type of appeal may be over/under used or used ineffectively.Uses one type of appeal effectively, however the other appeals are underused, used ineffectively, or absent.Does not use appeals or appeals are used ineffectively.
Language (15 points)
Choose the right language to convey your message.Language is consistently clear and appropriate to the audience, helping the audience connect with the speaker and the topic. Where necessary, technical jargon is explained.Language is predominantly clear and appropriate to the audience, generally helping the audience connect with the speaker and the topic.Language is frequently unclear or inconsistent with the audience and often fails to help the audience connect with the speaker or the topic.Language does not help the audience connect with the speaker or the topic.
C. Requirements
- All video content must be appropriate for an academic context
- Speech must be original and written for this assignment; plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited
- Video is 3 to 5 minutes in length
- Your video submission should include your name and the date