Fundamentals of Speech
John Kastner, Instructor

Speech #1
Demonstrative Speech

Prepare a 4-6 minute Demonstrative Speech. Visual aids are recommended for this speech. Remember all of the different types of visual aids so that you might use more creativity. You can use charts or graphs that show the popularity of your topic, images that show various ways to make it, videos or cartoons that show it in use, etc. In addition to your props, power point slides that show lists of ingredients, charts, and other images are helpful. As with all of your speeches, you must turn in a typed outline at the time that you deliver your speech.

Objectives:
You will deliver a 4 - 6 minute speech that informs your audience about how to do something. The explanation should be clear and concise. You need to actually demonstrate what you are explaining as you explain it.

If, for instance, you are going to tell us how to make a cake, then you really need to bring the ingredients, really mix them together, really grease the pan and really pour the batter into the pan. Obviously, you can't bring an oven and bake the cake, but do all the steps that you can in baking a cake and then bring in the final product to show us what it should look like when finished.

We should be able to do whatever it is you are demonstrating to us following your speech. Part of your grade for this speech will be based on whether you have demonstrated so clearly that we could turn around and do it as well. So you might be able to explain how to fix a car motor in 4-6 minutes but, if your presentation is so complicated that we couldn’t absorb/learn and turn around and do it after you speech, than your grade would reflect this.

One factor in picking a topic that will result in a successful demonstrative speech is simplicity. Four to five minutes will go very fast when you are showing us every step of how to do something, so to ensure you meet the time requirements you need to select a simple process to demonstrate.

Another factor in picking a topic that will result in a successful demonstrative speech is to choose something that has a concrete ending point to it (which often means a final product). For example, demonstrating how to make a golf swing is a difficult topic because there is no ending point. There are so many things that go into a golf swing (people spend years trying to finally learn how to successfully make a swing) that it makes it difficult to have a complete encompassing speech.
On the other hand, showing how to tie a shoe has a clear ending point. When the shoe is tied, you are finished. Likewise, when you bake a cake, there is clear ending point. You have a final product to know when you have learned the process.

You are welcome to bring in samples of what you are making for the class, but you are not required to.

A few notes about supplies:

• Please use common sense about what you bring to use for this speech. Do not bring any large/sharp knives, any alcohol, any illegal materials or anything that could make someone feel threatened or uncomfortable. If you bring supplies that are inappropriate for a college campus/classroom, you will be asked to leave and receive at the very least, a "0" for the speech. • If you need to use electrical items (a food processor, a glue gun, etc.) please check in the classroom first to make sure there is an outlet by where you will be giving your speech. You may need to bring an extension cord to accommodate what you are demonstrating. • If you are making something you think will make a mess on the table (or even might make a mess), please bring a tablecloth or newspapers to lay down or wet wipes for a fast clean up. Be considerate to other speakers and classes that will follow. You might also consider bringing a trash bag if you think you will have a lot to throw away after the speech. The classroom trashcans usually fill up quickly during the process of these speeches.

A Final Note

Please strive for an extemporaneous style. In order to achieve this, you will need to practice your speech and demonstration technique. Please bring all necessary materials on the day of class. Remember you have 4-6 minutes to complete your speech and demonstration, so when you practice, make sure you don't run out of time.
Examples of Demonstration Speeches
Your presentation should show us how to do something, such as:
|How to make a night light |How to wrap a package |
|How to carve a pumpkin |How to make a paper snowflake |
|How to detail a tire |How to make beef jerky |
|How to set a formal dinning table |How to make a gilded candle |
|How to make a birdfeeder |How to make brownies |
|How to make a balloon animal |How to make a Kaleidoscope |
|How to decorate a cake |How to make your own valentine card |
|How to remove a splinter |How to fix a leaky faucet |
|How to make fresh lemonade |How to make fruit salad |
|How to make a pita sandwich |How to transplant a plant |
|How to clean a window |How to replace the plug on electric cord |
|How to hem pants |How to fix dents/holds in woodwork |
|How to check oil in a car |How to dye Easter eggs |
|How to fold an American flag |How to polish silver |
|How to put together a gift basket |How to set up a gold fish bowl |
|How to sponge paint a wall |How to make chicken salad |
|How to sand wood |How to pack a suitcase |
|How to treat a bee sting |How to arrange a bouquet of flowers |
|How to change a baby’s diaper |How to tie-dye a t-shirt |
|How to make potpourri |How to make homemade Gatorade |
|How to make sidewalk chalk |How to take someone’s blood pressure |
|How to make a snow globe |How to make your own facial |
|How to patch a hole in a wall |How to make a sachet |
|How to clean a keyboard |How to press flowers |
|How to make herbed potato chips |How to make a Christmas stocking |
|How to make a dradel |How to make a God’s Eye |
|How to make trail mix |How to change a washer in a faucet |
|How to clean jewelry |How to make a beach bag |
|How to make a lamp |How to clean stains |

Topics that tend to not work well for the assignment:

- Paper folding topics (the audience can’t see well, especially flat on a table) - Demonstrations of how to play games (too complicated and hard to see) - Scrap booking (too small to see) - Tying a tie (hard to see) - Topics that are mostly a matter of waiting (making jello, making noodles, making toast, etc.)

DO NOT do any topics that show behavior that would be considered illegal (such as illegal drug use) or topics that would be considered dangerous (such as drinking games), or topics that would be considered unethical behavior (such as cheating).