Overview
The lecture explains two informative speech categories—Object Speeches and Concept Speeches—and offers scope, examples, and timing guidance for a 4–6 minute assignment.
Object Speeches
- Focus on tangible things; explain what they are and their components.
- Goal: show parts that make up a larger object; not a how-to.
- Suitable for real or fictional objects with researchable parts.
- New technologies make strong topics due to interest and available breakdowns.
Examples and Guidance
- Student speech on a baseball: showed a halved baseball and internal components.
- Lightsabers: covered major parts like shaft, crystal, power source, controls.
- iPhone: early skepticism noted; tech objects are valid and engaging topics.
- Post-release tech videos: many teardown videos mirror object speech approach.
Object Speech Topic Ideas
- New consoles, computers, tablets, or video game hardware.
- Any consumer device people can buy and disassemble conceptually.
Concept Speeches
- Address philosophical constructs or abstract systems not directly visible.
- Examples include feminism, capitalism, the glass ceiling.
- Main challenge: scope a vast concept to fit 4–6 minutes.
Scoping Strategies
- Avoid covering the entire concept; select a focused angle or subset.
- Use subfields for depth within time limits.
- Example structure: three waves of feminism as three main points.
Feasible Focused Topics
- Ecofeminism or transfeminism as manageable subsets.
- Explain why waves or subfields differ and core characteristics.
Time Management and Rubric Notes
- Required time: 4–6 minutes; target 5 minutes as the goal.
- Two-minute window: 1 minute under or over without point loss.
- Going over: reduces time for other speeches; avoid exceeding 6 minutes.
- Going under: insufficient content; avoid below 4 minutes.
- Concept speeches are most likely to exceed time; plan accordingly.
- Rubric will be reviewed in class on Monday or Wednesday, per section.
Structured Summary of Speech Types
| Category | Definition | Example Topics | Common Pitfalls | Best Practices |
|---|
| Object Speeches | Explain tangible items by parts/components | Baseball (internal parts), lightsabers (shaft, crystal, power), iPhone, consoles | Turning into a how-to; lacking component detail | Show major components; select current, researchable tech |
| Concept Speeches | Explain abstract constructs or philosophies | Feminism, capitalism, glass ceiling; ecofeminism; waves of feminism | Overly broad scope; exceeding time | Narrow to a subset; organize by 2–3 clear points |
Key Terms & Definitions
- Object Speech: Informative speech explaining a tangible item's components and makeup.
- Concept Speech: Informative speech explaining an abstract idea or philosophical construct.
- Waves of Feminism: Periodized phases (first, second, third) used to structure feminist history.
- Time Window: Acceptable duration of 4–6 minutes; 5 minutes as target.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Choose a topic category: object or concept, based on interest and scope.
- For object topics: list major components; plan a clear part-by-part structure.
- For concept topics: pick a subset (e.g., ecofeminism) with 2–3 focused points.
- Rehearse to hit 5 minutes; ensure final time within 4–6 minutes.
- Review the rubric before class; bring questions to the next session.