This document outlines the research process for an informative speech, beginning with determining the general and specific purpose, developing a thesis statement, gathering relevant information from databases, creating an outline, developing a PowerPoint presentation, and finally presenting the speech. The process involves choosing a topic, identifying the main points to be discussed, finding an attention-grabbing opener, connecting with the audience, and concluding with a impactful closing statement. Sources must be properly cited using MLA format and included on a works cited page. Following these steps will help produce an informative speech backed by credible research.

1. The Research Process for the Informative Speech .
1. GENERAL PURPOSE: Determine whattype of speech
you are doing: Informative speech. Example: “I am here to
inform the class…”
2. SPECIFIC PURPOSE: Determine what your topic will
be. Several of the databases will give you ideas. Examples:
“…about the film director Steven Spielberg…” or “…about
three types of cancer…”
3. THESIS STATEMENT is the 3 or 4 main points about the
topic that you will discuss. Determine your main points from
articles in the database.
Examples: “…I will discuss his childhood, his directing career
and his awards and charity work...’’ or “…I am here to inform
the class about three types of cancer that affect women: breast,
ovarian and uterine cancers…”
4. After forming your thesis statement, GATHER
INFORMATION. Start at the Library homepage:
http://libguides.elcentrocollege.edu/ and specifically for speech
class-related topics:
http://libguides.elcentrocollege.edu/speech/spch1311.
Search the databases for relevant information. Remember, you
must use a minimum of 3 database sources, but all of your
articles can come from one database. Always ask your speech
professor before using Google to find content sources or
images. Many articles and images found on Googled sites are
themselves uncredited, and using them may lead to unintended
plagiarism.
Look for database sources that provide information including:

2. · An attention-getter to open with impact such as statistic or
expert quote.
Examples: “…Variety magazine reports that Spielberg’s Jaws
made nearly $1 billion dollars since its release in 1975…” or
“…Planned Parenthood reports that poorer women are 10 times
more likely to die of breast cancer…”
· A method of connecting to the audience (motivating the
audience to listen to what you have to say), which can be
utilized with a question to the members of the audience. Always
allow them to answer and count the number who respond in the
affirmative. Know some examples in case you get no responses
the first time and need more information to ask another
question.
Examples: “…How many of you have seen a Steven Spielberg
movie? 10 of you…” or “…How many of you have lost a family
member to cancer? … How many of you have lost a member to
breast cancer? ...”
· Conclusion, such as another statistic or little-known fact for
the end-of-speech attention-getter.
· Photographs, maps and measured charts for Visual support (for
PowerPoint) and facts that explain them.
5. Give credit to your sources by creating your works cited page
as you gather your information. Keep in the required MLA
(Modern Language Association) format. A Print version and a
Web version of MLA document will be provided by the
professor, compliments of Purdue University’s O.W.L.
Department. Any photo used in your PowerPoint without a
credit line on the slide that coincides with your works cited
page sources, or any point or subpoint on an outline without a
silent credit (author) listed in parenthesis that also coincides
with sources on your works cited page, is plagiarized.

3. Plagiarism is illegal, even when unintended.
6. Complete your OUTLINE. Make sure to put the source of
statistics, quotes, and facts as points and subpoints in those
parenthetical quotes. Use “According to…” or some version at
the beginning of the sentence and end subpoint with (Author’s
name).
Example: “…According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine,
diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United
States…” (Holohan).
This means that Holohan is the last name of the author on your
works cited page and that author’s article appears in the Gale
Encyclopedia of Medicine.
7. Create your POWERPOINT. Do not write your speech on the
slides of your PowerPoint. Your viewers can read what your
write on a visual faster than you can talk. A speech PowerPoint
should contain only a cover slide with your name, your topic
and three main points (i.e. John Smith … Steven Spielberg:
Youth, Directing career, Awards and Charities) and that slide
should be followed with your 3-4 thesis-point slides. Each slide
should contain only a headline that coincides with your thesis
points , a photo underneath and a credit line below that which
coincides with the sources on your works cited page. As a
guide, limit the entire PowerPoint presentation to less than 20
words. You may place your photo sources on its own works
cited/references page, but those sources must be included on
your speech works cited page, whether or not you have a works
cited slide on your powerPoint.
8. Practice a few times and present your Speech.
SPEECH Research Process: Example .

4. #1 - GENERAL PURPOSE: to inform
#2 - SPECIFIC PURPOSE: to inform about pet ownership
#3 – IDENTIFY THESIS (3 or 4main points) for an informative
speech about owning a pet:
1) upkeep
2) time
3) other responsibilities
THESIS STATEMENT: I will discuss upkeep, time
commitments, and other responsibilities.
#4 - GATHER RESEARCH
o From the Library website, under THE LIBRARY GUIDE
TO SPEECH, databases, identify databases that you think will
offer good information on this topic. To complete the research
process, you would need to use a minimum of 2-3 different
database sources to locate the following:
WHAT YOU NEED:
· an attention grabber / opening with impact
· "connection to the audience" claim(s)/fact(s)
· 2-3 pieces of supporting evidence for each main point (5-10
sentences to support each main point) and conclusion

5. · images for a PowerPoint presentation (eLibrary & Student
Research Center are recommended for pictures)
Example: You may find supporting evidence for several of your
main points in the same article but you find an attention grabber
and images in different articles. You can locate several main
points from the same article.
#5 – GIVE CREDIT TO YOUR SOURCES in MLA format.
#6 – CREATE OUTLINE
#7– CREATE POWERPOINT
ATTENTION GETTER .
Using the databases, locate an attention grabber to open with
impact.
Six in 10 Americans own some type of pet.
Database Info
Should a Tiger Be Your Pet? By: O'Neill, Justin. Scholastic
Scope. 4/23/2012, Vol. 60 Issue 12, p16-17. 2p
What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Should a Tiger Be Your Pet?
Authors: Justin O’Neill
Publication Title: Scholastic Scope
Date: April 23, 2012
Pages: 16-17

6. Database Title: Middle Search Plus
MLA Citation
O’Neill, Justin. "Should a Tiger Be Your Pet?" Scholastic Scope
23 April 2012: 16-17. Middle Search Plus. Web. 19 May 2014.
1ST MAIN POINT .
Locate a minimum of 2+ pieces of supporting evidence from the
databases for each main point. Examples: testimony,
definitions, statistics, expert quotes, examples
A. First Main Point: Upkeep
Owning a pet is lots of fun, but taking care of one can be tough-
and expensive! Charlotte, 10, of New Haven, Connecticut, told
DynaMath that her cat Gimley costs her family about $300 a
year.
"His new litter box and a scratching post were the most
expensive things," she said.
Charlotte's family saved money by adopting Gimley for free,
using an old carrying cage, and buying cat food at a discount
store.
You need to buy many things for a pet. Small items like toys
don't cost as much, but carriers and cages do. Plus, visits to the
vet for checkups and emergencies are expensive for all animals.
In fact, research indicates that most pets will cost you hundreds
of dollars the first year you own them, no matter how large or
small they are.
Database Info

7. Costly Critters
Scott, Gretchen
Scholastic Dynamath
01-01-2005
What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Costly Critters Authors:
GretchenScott
Publication Title: Scholastic Dynamath
Date: Jan. 1, 2005 Pages 6-7
Database Title: eLibrary
MLA Citation
Scott, Gretchen. "Costly Critters." Scholastic DynaMath 1 Jan.
2005: 6-7. eLibrary. Web. 31 Jan. 2014.
2ND MAIN POINT .
B. Second Main Point: Time
Caring for a pet takes time, according to Judith J. Becerra in her
article ‘’Pets and Children,’’ published Pediatric Advisor.
Depending on the type of pet you have, someone may need to
groom and exercise the pet. If you chose a pet such as a cat or a
dog, plan time to spend playing with them. It takes time and
attention to build a good relationship between your family and
your pet. Also be sure you are ready to take care of the pet as
long as it lives, which could be 10 to 20 years for some pets.
Database Info
Pets and Children.
By: Written by Judith J. Becerra, MS, LPC. CRS - Pediatric
Advisor. 2013, p1-1. 1p.

8. What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Pets and Children
Authors: Becerra, Judith
Publication Title: CRS – Pediatric Advisor
Date: 2013
Database Title: Health Source – Consumer Edition
MLA Citation
Becerra, Judith J. "Pets and Children." CRS - Pediatric Advisor.
Broomfield: Clinical
Reference Systems, 2013. 1. Health Source: Consumer Edition.
Web. 19 May 2014.
Pets are dependent on their owners for everything: food,
companionship, and hygiene. Author Leah Paulos recommends
that you ask yourself this question: Do you have enough time to
devote to taking care of a pet?
Database Info
Furry Friends. (cover story).
By: Paulos, Leah. Current Health 1. Mar2007, Vol. 30 Issue 7,
p8-11. 4p.
What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Furry Friends
Authors: Leah Paulos
Publication Title: Current Health 1
Date: March 2007
Database Title: Health Source – Consumer Edition
MLA Citation
Paulos, Leah. "Furry Friends." Current Health 1 Mar. 2007: 8-
11. Health Source – Consumer Edition. Web. 18 May 2014.
3RD MAIN POINT .

9. Third Main Point: other responsibilities
· Do you have enough room in your home? Pets and their
equipment require varying amounts of space. Dogs and cats
need extra space to move around.
· Is this particular pet allowed where you live? Cats and dogs
are sometimes banned from apartment buildings. In addition,
some snakes and exotic pets are outlawed by local governments,
according to a warning in Current Health magazine.
· The author says you must make certain that no one in your
home has pet allergies.
Database Info
Furry Friends. (cover story).
By: Paulos, Leah. Current Health 1. Mar2007, Vol. 30 Issue 7,
p8-11. 4p.
What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Furry Friends
Authors: Leah Paulos
Publication Title: Current Health 1
Date: March 2007
Database Title: Health Source – Consumer Edition
MLA Citation
Paulos, Leah. "Furry Friends." Current Health 1 Mar. 2007: 8-
11. Health Source – Consumer Edition. Web. 18 May 2014.
Snakes, lizards, rodents, ferrets, and baby chicks and ducklings
should be kept out of households that contain children younger
than 5 years of age, as stated by Author Becerra.
Important statistic from her article: About 11% of salmonella
illnesses in children are thought to come from contact with
lizards, turtles and other reptiles. Hamsters also can carry this
germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach
cramps.

10. Database Info
Pets and Children.
By: Written by Judith J. Becerra, MS, LPC. CRS - Pediatric
Advisor. 2013, p1-1. 1p.
What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Pets and Children
Authors: Becerra, Judith
Publication Title: CRS – Pediatric Advisor
Date: 2013
Database Title: Health Source – Consumer Edition
MLA Citation
Becerra, Judith J. "Pets and Children." CRS - Pediatric Advisor.
Broomfield: Clinical
Reference Systems, 2013. 1. Health Source: Consumer Edition.
Web. 19 May 2014.
CONCLUSION .
Pets can provide a child with many benefits. However, you need
to think about what owning a pet will mean to your family.
These researchers state that it is important that you chose the
right kind of pet, and that you have realistic expectations of
your child, yourself, and the pet. Bringing a pet into the family
is not a decision that should be made lightly.
Research the kind of animal you want. Mature animals can be a
good choice for younger children, since they do not need to be
trained like a young puppy or kitten. One author says that a pet
such as a goldfish can be a good way to begin teaching a child
about the responsibilities of owning a pet.

11. Database Info
Pets and Children.
By: Written by Judith J. Becerra, MS, LPC. CRS - Pediatric
Advisor. 2013, p1-1. 1p.
What Does This Mean?
Title of Article: Pets and Children
Authors: Becerra, Judith
Publication Title: CRS – Pediatric Advisor
Date: 2013
Database Title: Health Source – Consumer Edition
MLA Citation
Becerra, Judith J. "Pets and Children." CRS - Pediatric Advisor.
Broomfield: Clinical
Reference Systems, 2013. 1. Health Source: Consumer Edition.
Web. 19 May 2014.
Photos .
Photo from Image Collection:
Database Info
Source: Canadian Press
Copyright: ©Canadian Press
City: TORONTO
State: ON
Location: CANADA
Caption: A woman shields herself from rain under an
umbrella while walkingher dog along Toronto
Lakeshore Saturday, May 14, 2011. THE CANADIAN
PRESS/Darren
Calabrese
Accession Number: imh857745
Date: 20110514

12. Persistent link to this record (Permalink): http://0-
search.ebscohost.com.library.dcccd.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&
db= imh&AN=imh857745&db=imh&AN=imh857745&site=src-
live
Database: Image Collection
Database Copyright Owner: EBSCO (bottom of the page,
with the copyright symbol)
What Does This Mean?
Database Title: Image Collection ePublisher:
EBSCO
Photo Description: A woman shields herself from rain
under an umbrella while
walkingher dog along Toronto
Lakeshore Saturday, May 14, 2011
Photographer: Darren Calabrese
Date: May 14, 2011
MLA Citation
Calabrese, Darren. A woman shields herself from rain under an
umbrella while walking her dog along Toronto Lakeshore
Saturday, May 14, 2011. ImageCollection. EBSCO, 14 May
2011. Web. 19 May 2014.
Photo from eLibrary:
Database Info
Ohio Animals
Yingling
KRT News Graphics
10-21-2011
Database: eLibrary
Database Copyright Owner: ProQuest (bottom of the page,
with the copyright symbol)
What Does This Mean?
Database Title: eLibrary ePublisher:
ProQuest Photo Title: Ohio Animals

13. Photographer: Yingling
Date: Oct. 21, 2011
MLA Citation
Yingling. Ohio Animals. eLibrary. ProQuest, 21 Oct. 2011.
Web. 19 May 2014.
“How Much is that Doggy in the Window?”
Submitted to
Professor Name
Speech 13_ _ (1311, 1315, 1321)
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
Date
By
Jane Doe
Informative Speech
SPCH 1311.5XXX

14. “How Much is that Doggy in the Window?”
General Purpose – To inform
Specific Purpose – about owning a pet.
Thesis – I will discuss the upkeep, time, and responsibilities
associated with owning a pet.
I. Introduction (Title Slide)
A. According to Scholastic Scope, 60% of Americans own a pet
(O’Neill).
B. How many of you have owned or own a pet?
C. Today I'm going to talk about upkeep, time commitments,
and responsibilities associated with owning a pet. I used articles
from Scholastic Dynamath, Current Health and Pediatric
Advisor to research this topic for you.
Transition: What’s involved with the upkeep of a pet?
II. Body

15. A. Upkeep (Slide 2)
1. According to Scholastic Dynamath, pets can be expensive.
Dogs can cost $250/year to feed (Scott).
2. Supplies you will need to have include food, toys, crates or
carriers (Scott).
3. Vet checkups and emergencies (Scott)
Transition: Along with upkeep, pets require time.
B. Time (Slide 3)
1. According to Current Health 1, pets are dependent on owners
for taking the time to feed them, clean up after them,
companionship (Paulos).
2. Depending on the type of pet: grooming, play time, exercise
(Becerra).
3. Lifespan: 10 to 20 years (Becerra).
Transition: Along with a time commitment, what other
responsibilities come with owning a pet?
C. Responsibilities (Slide 4)
1. Types of pets accepted by rentals/city/state (Paulos). A.
Rental requirements (Paulos).
B. Exotic pets (Paulos).
2. According to CRS: Pediatric Advisor, type of pet depends on:
(Becerra).
A. Suitable for age of children - mature dog vs. kitten or puppy
(Becerra).
B. Suitable for lifestyle – goldfish (Becerra).
3. Amount of space needed (Paulos).
4. Pet allergies (Paulos).
5. 11% of salmonella illnesses are from lizards, turtles and
other reptiles (Becerra).
Transition: As you can see, there are many
responsibilities associated with pet ownership.

16. III. Conclusion
A. I have just covered the upkeep, time, and responsibilities
associated with pet ownership.
B. Choose the right pet by setting realistic expectations for
yourself, your family, and your future pet.
PowerPoint Presentation Slides
Title Slide:
Slide 2:
Slide 3:
Slide 4:
Warning: If you do not have a source written in the credit
line/text box underneath these charts and photos, these images
are illegally plagiarized.

17. Works Cited
Becerra, Judith J. “Pets and Children.” CRS - Pediatric Advisor.
Broomfield: Clinical Reference Systems,
2013. 1. Health Source: Consumer Edition. Web. 19 May 2014.
Benitez, Tom. Joseph Luciano, right, and his wife Adriana play
with their dogs, May 2, 2012, in Clermont,
Florida. Image Collection. EBSCO, 2 May 2012. Web. 19 May
2014.
Calabrese, Darren. A woman shields herself from rain under an
umbrella while walking her dog along Toronto Lakeshore
Saturday, May 14, 2011. Image Collection. EBSCO, 14 May
2011. Web. 19 May 2014.
O’Neill, Justin. “Should a Tiger Be Your Pet?” Scholastic
Scope 23 Apr. 2012: 16-17. Middle Search Plus.
Web. 19 May 2014.
Paulos, Leah. “Furry Friends.” Current Health 1 Mar. 2007: 8-
11. Health Source: Consumer Edition. Web. 19
May 2014.
Scott, Gretchen. “Costly Critters.” Scholastic DynaMath 1 Jan.
2005: 6-7. eLibrary. Web. 19 May 2014.
Yingling. “Ohio Animals.” eLibrary. ProQuest, 21 Oct. 2011.
Web. 19 May 2014.
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