Suggested Speech Outline: Telling Your Senior Project Story

(Compliments of Mrs. Dollander)

Why you chose this topic and what you enjoyed are key elements of your presentation!

Speech Purpose: To share a conversation with the judges about your senior project.

  1. Introduction
  2. First Impressions

Walk over to the judges and give them a firm handshake while you introduce yourself. Clearly say something like, “I am _____. Thank you for coming to our presentations.” (Optional)

  1. Hook

To begin the speech, clearly articulate (do not mumble) an attention getter. Below are two different options you may want to consider.

1. Short Story Hook

“Ever since I was eight years old, I can remember being fascinated about _____. That is why I chose to research _____.”

2. Rhetorical Question

“Have you ever opened your refrigerator and discovered everything inside was no longer cold? What causes appliances to fail? I chose to research _____.”

  1. Speech Introduction

Creatively provide an overview of points you will include in the speech.

“Today I will share with you my senior journey through researching my topic, working with my mentor v and completing my product, which involved _____.”

Transition: “The first task I was faced with was finding information about _____ and researching _____.”

  1. Why I Chose This Topic ( List 3-5 reasons)
  2. Research Topic
  3. Explore the research that was conducted for your Paper
  4. Include a few key/important quotes from your research that you believe are worth sharing

Transition: “Now that I have told you about my research, let me talk to you about my product.”

  1. Mentor/Product
  2. Discuss your Mentor and Product
  3. Don’t leave out all the Work that was involved in completing/creating it

Transition: “I enjoyed completing _____, but what I really learned during the senior project was _____.”

  1. Learning Stretch/ Difficulties and Accomplishments
  2. Tell us what you learned that you did not already know before. Consider discussing an altered Preconception that you had about your topic OR a Difficult Skill that you actually learned, NOT a moment of self-discovery or personal revelation.
  3. Express any challenges/difficulties you faced and the accomplishments you achieved.

Transition: “In conclusion, _____.”

  1. Conclusion
  2. Link back to exactly what you said in the Hook
  3. Suggested Rewordings

1. Short Story

“When I was a child, little did I know that my curiosity about _____ would one day lead me to an extensive research project my senior year…”

2. Rhetorical Question

“If you ever open your refrigerator door and find it is no longer cooling, you may better understand as I do how the system works…”

Suggested Speech Outline for ______.

  1. Introduction

A.First Impressions

I will walk over to the judges and give them a firm handshake while I introduce myself. I will clearly say something like, “______

______.” (Optional, but would be a nice gesture)

  1. Hook

To begin the speech, I will clearly articulate (not mumble) an attention getter. Below I have filled out whichever hook I plan to use.

1. Short Story Hook

______

______

______

2. Rhetorical Question

______

______

______

  1. Speech Introduction

I will creatively provide an overview of points I will include in my speech.

______

______

______

Transition: “The first task I was faced with was finding information about ______and researching ______.” [blank #2 could be types of sources used or subtopic]

  1. Why I Chose This Topic (List 3-5 Reasons
  2. Research

A.I will explore the research that was conducted for myPaper. List/Summary of Points:

______

______

______

B.I will share a few important quotes about ______. List/Summary of Points:

______

______

______

Transition: “Now that I have told you about my research, let me talk to you about my product.”

  1. Mentor/Product

A.I will discuss my Mentor andProduct. Summary: ______

______

  1. I will also mention all of theWork that was involved in completing/creating it. Summary:

______

______

Transition: “I enjoyed completing ______, but what I really learned during the senior project was ______.”

  1. Learning Stretch/Difficulties and Accomplishments
  2. I will explain what I learned that Idid not already know before. I plan to discuss…

An altered Preconception that I had about my topic:

______

______

OR a Difficult Skill that I actually learned ______

  1. Mention Difficulties and Accomplishments

Transition: “In conclusion, ______.”

  1. Conclusion

I will link back to exactly what I said in the Hook

______

______

______