Project Title (Write a brief title that captures your topic)

1. Project Title (Write a brief title that captures your topic) Group Members: List all first and last names here

2. Attention Getting Strategy • Engage your audience by opening with something interesting: • A quote • A statistic • An alarming trend • An anecdote (brief story that illustrates a point)

3. Define the issue • Why is this a topic open to debate? • What are the central issues inherent in this debate?

4. Thesis Statement • Clearly state your position on the subject …aka YOUR THESIS. • Write “Thesis Statement” at the top of your slide • If you are going to present both sides of the issue, identify the group members that supported each side.

5. Define Important Terms • Define anything that your audience needs to know in order to understand your arguments • Are there terms that are not common knowledge to your audience? • Are there technical terms that warrant explanation? • Are there acronyms you will be using later that should be identified right away?

6. Other Background Information • Include other facts, background, or historical information as necessary

7. Acknowledge Opposing Viewpoint(s) • What are the opposing views? • Be sure not to prove the other side. Instead, say “some people believe” or “It has been argued” • If you are presenting both sides, let side one argue their case fully, then let side two argue their case fully…

8. Supporting Arguments • State your three (to four) key supporting arguments on one slide.

9. Supporting Argument #1 • State supporting argument #1 again • Provide several supporting details from your research to prove your argument. • Do not merely state your opinion on the topic, argue with research facts, data, statistics, etc. • Mention sources from which you obtained information. This gives you CREDIBILITY as a speaker.

10. You may need more than one slide to support your first argument. • Do not try to fit everything on to one slide! • Keep your slides tidy by limiting information to a few bullets…You should elaborate upon the bullets while speaking. • Feel free to write note cards for your presentation if you are worried about what you are going to say!

11. Continue until you’ve revealed all of your details that relate to supporting argument #1

12. Supporting Argument #2 • State supporting argument #2 again • Provide several supporting details from your research to prove your argument. • Do not merely state your opinion on the topic, argue with research facts, data, statistics, etc. • Mention sources from which you obtained information. This gives you CREDIBILITY as a speaker.

13. Supporting argument #2 continued…. • Again, use as many slides as you need

14. Continue until you’ve revealed all of your details that relate to supporting argument #2

15. Supporting Argument #3 • State supporting argument #3 again • Provide several supporting details from your research to prove your argument. • Do not merely state your opinion on the topic, argue with research facts, data, statistics, etc. • Mention sources from which you obtained information. This gives you CREDIBILITY as a speaker.

16. Supporting argument #3 continued…. • Again, use as many slides as you need

17. Continue until you’ve revealed all of your details that relate to supporting argument #3

18. Continue as needed…do not attempt to do more than 4 supporting arguments. You will not be able to fully support that many arguments within the time requirement.

19. Conclusion • Highlight your important points • Tie all of your supporting arguments together • Restate your thesis • Leave your audience with a strong lasting impression (a positive one)!

20. Q & A • Be ready to answer questions about your topic. • Audience: Listen actively so that you can ask questions at the end of each presentation!

21. Tips for your presentation… • Keep the slide backgrounds simple so your audience is able to read them. • You will be expected to present with the lights on! Plan accordingly.

22. Tips… • Add pictures that enhance your presentation when appropriate • Add graphs with statistical information that prove your arguments • Add brief video(s) of no more than 2 minutes to enhance your presentation

23. If you use a video clip… • Add brief video(s) of no more than 2minutes to enhance your presentation • Provide a link to YouTube or imbed the video directly into your presentation • Introduce video clip by stating some background on it. • After showing the video, explain its significance in relation to your thesis • If it does not directly relate to your thesis, don’t show it. Find something relevant.

24. Tips… • The best way to overcome a fear of public speaking is to be prepared! • Plan well within your groups. • Practice, practice, practice to be sure you know the content and to see if you meet the time requirement. • Divide the labor fairly among group members. Each person should speak approximately the same amount of time.

25. Miscellaneous… • You must be present on the day you are scheduled to present. If you not here, you will receive a zero for the presentation component of the project. • Refusal to present will result in a zero for the presentation component of the project. • Again, preparation=confidence!! Be ready to go on your scheduled day!

26. Public Speaking is a tough skill to acquire. • Please be respectful of classmates while presenting. It takes a lot of courage to get up in front of a group of your peers! • Inappropriateness from presenters and audience members will not be tolerated.