Informative Speech Instructions 1. Prepare a 5 to 8 minute speech giving information about a topic. (Do not take sides on a controversial issue.) 2. You may use four note cards with key words or phrases—front of cards only. Do not write out your speech. Show me the notecards after your speech. 3. Three references are required from books, magazines, newspapers and/or interviews. These references must be cited in your speech. Do not use Wikipedia as a source. Use academic sources for two of your sources if possible. These references will be listed according to American Psychological Association, Modern Language Association, or Turabian Citation Guides in your bibliography in your outline. 4. You must use a visual aid in your speech such as the item you are discussing, a handout, picture, etc. Do not pass any items around before or while you speak. 5. If you do a demonstration speech, observe the following guidelines: a. Demonstrate how to do something you know how to do well. (Hobbies, cooking, musical instruments, medical or first aid procedures, sports, gardening, sewing, etc.) b. You may not bring any weapons (including arrows), alcoholic beverages, blood products, needles, drugs, explosives, or highly flammable materials. c. You should demonstrate how to do something that not everyone may already know how to do. (No popcorn, sandwiches, Kool-Aid, cake mixes, etc.) d. If you show how to cook something, keep the time limits in mind. Assemble the ingredients, and bring a finished product for the class to sample. Do not make anything which uses a raw egg in the finished product. Also, bring any necessary plates, napkins, forks, serving utensils, etc. Limit the use of an electric mixer or blender to 10-15 seconds. e. If you show how to do a craft, be sure your demonstration can be seen by everyone. It may be necessary to make an enlarged model to use for demonstration purposes. For example, you might punch holes in a piece of poster board to simulate counted cross stitch fabric. Be sure to bring a finished product to show. f. If you need another person to assist you in some way with your demonstration, keep the following things in mind: -you must do all the talking -you must practice with your assistant so you do not have to give him or her instructions during the speech -your assistant should remain at the front of the room only for the time he or she is needed in the demonstration. g. You must continue to talk about the subject matter while you work. There must be no dead air. For example, if you are demonstrating how to braid hair, you must continue to talk to us as you work. 6. You will prepare an outline that is to be given to me when you get to class the day your speech is due. I will take off 10 points if you do not have an outline when you give your speech and/or if your outline is not typed. I will not give a grade for the speech until I get the outline. The outline must consist of complete .

1. Informative Speech Instructions
1. Prepare a 5 to 8 minute speech giving information about a
topic. (Do not take sides on a controversial issue.)
2. You may use four note cards with key words or phrases—
front of cards only. Do not write out your speech. Show me the
notecards after your speech.
3. Three references are required from books, magazines,
newspapers and/or interviews. These references must be cited
in your speech. Do not use Wikipedia as a source. Use
academic sources for two of your sources if possible. These
references will be listed according to American Psychological
Association, Modern Language Association, or Turabian
Citation Guides in your bibliography in your outline.
4. You must use a visual aid in your speech such as the item
you are discussing, a handout, picture, etc. Do not pass any
items around before or while you speak.
5. If you do a demonstration speech, observe the following
guidelines:
a. Demonstrate how to do something you know how to do well.
(Hobbies, cooking, musical instruments, medical or first aid
procedures, sports, gardening, sewing, etc.)
b. You may not bring any weapons (including arrows), alcoholic
beverages, blood products, needles, drugs, explosives, or highly
flammable materials.
c. You should demonstrate how to do something that not
everyone may already know how to do. (No popcorn,
sandwiches, Kool-Aid, cake mixes, etc.)
d. If you show how to cook something, keep the time limits in

2. mind. Assemble the ingredients, and bring a finished product
for the class to sample. Do not make anything which uses a raw
egg in the finished product. Also, bring any necessary plates,
napkins, forks, serving utensils, etc. Limit the use of an
electric mixer or blender to 10-15 seconds.
e. If you show how to do a craft, be sure your demonstration can
be seen by everyone. It may be necessary to make an enlarged
model to use for demonstration purposes. For example, you
might punch holes in a piece of poster board to simulate
counted cross stitch fabric. Be sure to bring a finished product
to show.
f. If you need another person to assist you in some way with
your demonstration, keep the following things in mind:
-you must do all the talking
-you must practice with your assistant so you do not have to
give him or her instructions during the speech
-your assistant should remain at the front of the room only for
the time he or she is needed in the demonstration.
g. You must continue to talk about the subject matter while you
work. There must be no dead air. For example, if you are
demonstrating how to braid hair, you must continue to talk to us
as you work.
6. You will prepare an outline that is to be given to me when
you get to class the day your speech is due. I will take off 10
points if you do not have an outline when you give your speech
and/or if your outline is not typed. I will not give a grade for
the speech until I get the outline. The outline must consist of
complete sentences in the proper outline form.
If you need assistance with your outline, go to the Writing
Center in the library. Check the hours for the Writing Center.
The Writing Center will send me verification that you used their
services. They will not write your outline for you but they can

3. help you with the proper formatting. Be sure to have a basic
outline already written or typed so they can help you edit it.
7. Consider your topic as you think about what you will wear
when you present.
Be sure to dress in a professional manner.
Correct outline format is as follows:
Roman numerals: I, II, III, IV, V—Used for your main points
Capital Letters: A, B, C, etc.--Used for your subpoints
Regular numbers: 1, 2, 3, etc.--Used for your sub-subpoints
You do not need to go into more detail than this.
The outline is indented like this:
I.
A.
1.
2.
B.
1.
2.
II.
A.
1.
2.
B.
1.
2.
You may add C or D, or 3 or 4, if needed.
Topic: Mexican Celebrations/ Traditions
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of some of Mexico’s

4. celebrations and traditions.
Thesis Statement: There are some Mexican celebrations that are
considered traditions such as a Quinceanera, Dia de los
Muertos, and Posadas.
Introduction
I. A couple of months before turning fifteen, my parents gave
me the option to either have a
quinceanera or get a car. Hispanic girls at that age tend to have
a quinceanera, but I chose to get the car instead.
II. My parents are from Mexico so I have a Hispanic
background. Because of my cultural
background, my parents thought it was important for me to
know some of their celebrations.
III. So, today I am going to share with you what I know about
these celebrations, which are
having a quinceanera, el dia de los muertos, and having a
posada.
Body
I. A quinceanera is a celebration where a fifteen-year-old girl is
introduced to society as a young lady.
A. Preparing for her quinceanera is always an exciting task for
the girl. There are several things that need to be bought,
rehearsed, and finally prepared for the big day.
1. The first thing on every girl’s mind is the dress. Usually the
girl gets to pick out her dress or have it custom made by
someone. It can range from simple to big and fancy and
colorful. Most girls go all out.
2. Because most girls have a spectacular event, the ballroom
location is important to them too. This is where all their friends
and family come after the church service to finally celebrate her
transition in life.

5. 3. Then, the Honor court is an important part of this tradition.
The honor court consists of the girl’s friends and relatives.
They are the ones who will dance with the girl at the party.
B. After they have everything planned, the big day finally
arrives full of excitement for the girl.
1. It all starts out at the church service. This is where the girl
gets introduced as a young lady. After the church service, the
young lady heads out to the ballroom to enjoy the celebration
2. At the ballroom, there are various kinds of decorations and
traditions that go along with it. Usually, the decorations go with
the dress color, and the father gives a speech.
3. After that, the honor court along with the quinceanera,
perform their dance. It consists of the group waltz, the father/
daughter dance, and finally ends with the girl dancing with
several of the male guests.
Transition: As important as people take a quinceanera, they take
the Dia de los Muertos seriously too.
II. Dia de los Muertos means “Day of the Dead.”
A. So what exactly is El Dia de los Muertos?
1. It is a two-day celebration that celebrates the dead. It starts
on November 1 and ends November 2.
2. The first day is to remember all the children who have died,
and the second day is for all the adults who have passed away.
3. Altars are made for the people’s loved ones. Family/friends
will usually cook the favorite dish of their loved one, bring a
photo, and light a candle at their altar.
B.After they finish the altar, they take the next step.
1. People walk outside around the city with the altar they have
built to take to the tomb of the one who has passed away. They
also bring along flowers and sing songs on their way to the
tomb.
2. Because it is such an important day in Mexico, stores will
sell all kinds of candy and bread.

6. 3. Candy skulls are made with the name of the person on there
and pan de muerto is also made. This means “bread of the
dead,” which is just really sugar bread.
Transition: As exciting as the last two Mexican traditions/
celebrations, there is one more that really tops it all.
III. Probably the most exciting celebration/tradition is the
Posada.
A. The Posada happens at night and it starts December the
sixteenth and goes through the twenty-fourth.
1. Every night, people visit seven houses.
2. The people bring candles and sing songs at the houses they
visit.
3. Music is also played when walking around to visit houses.
B. It truly is an exciting event. It is a time where everyone
comes together despite any differences they may have and
rejoice together.
1. Besides the singing, people always greet each other in a very
kind manner. Some bring along food to hand out.
2. Others already have appetizers waiting at home for those who
come to sing.
3. On the night of the twenty-fourth, many go to the church
service then to a type of reception hall to celebrate. There is a
lot of food, desserts, and candy.
Transition: These are just some of the big
celebrations/traditions seen in the Mexican culture.
Conclusion
I.As I said before, my parents thought it was important for me
to know about these celebrations.
They taught me about the Quinceanera, Dia de los Muertos, and
the Posada.
II.While I chose not to have a quinceanera of my own nor have I

7. partcipated in dia de los muertos or posada, I did go to my
cousin’s quinceanera, which was very exciting. If you ever
have the opportunity to attend one or more of these events, I
encourage you to do so.
References:
Brandes, Stanley. "Iconography In Mexico's Day Of The Dead:
Origins And Meaning."
Ethnohistory 45.2 (1998): 181. Academic Search Premier. Web.
30 June 2013.
Davalos, Karen Mary. "La Quincaenera: Making Gender And
Ethnic Identities." Frontiers: A
Journal Of Women Studies 16.2/3 (1996): 101-127. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 30
June 2013.
De La O, Jorge. "Las Posadas." Psychological Perspectives 49.2
(2006): 295-297. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 30 June 2013
The heading of your formal outline contains the title of your
speech, the topic, and the specific purpose statement. These
must be included on your outline but are not to be stated in your
speech. You actually begin your speech with your attention
getter and continue with your thesis statement and preview.
Then you will transition into the body of the speech starting
with your first main point. You could have four transitions in
your speech. In the conclusion, you will want to summarize
your speech and actually conclude.
The works consulted or works cited is also known as the
bibliography and it is placed at the end of the outline. You
must use reliable, reputable, unbiased sources for your
bibliography. Use Academic Search Premiere, Ebscohost,

8. and/or Wilson Biographies if you are doing a biographical
speech. A “.org” or “.com” site is not usually acceptable. You
must put the complete bibliographic source citation on the
outline. Example: "Picasso.com" or "Picasso.org" is not
acceptable.
I like to tell my students this: In the introduction, you tell us
what you are going to tell us.
In the body of the speech, you tell us.
In the conclusion, you tell us what you told us.
I know it can sound repetitive to repeat the points in the
introduction, body and conclusion but that is the way it goes in
speechmaking.
The formal outline should be written in complete sentences. The
formal outline is good for you to use as you practice your
speech initially. Then you need to use your note cards. You
should use key words or phrases. You must not write out
complete sentences or write too much on your note cards
because the temptation is to read from the note cards. You can
write a direct quotation and read it to us.
Prepare a complete sentence, formal outline for your
Informative speech. It must be typed.
Look at the sample outline for an example of how your outline
should look. Your outline should contain the following:
1. Outline the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion separately.
2. Make sure your outline has all the sections mentioned below.
See the sample outline to see how the outline should look.
3. At the top of the outline, give:
--Your name
--Specific purpose
--Thesis
4. The Introduction should have three Roman numerals, one for
each part in the Introduction. (Attention statement, credibility
statement, and preview of main points)
I. Get attention

9. II. Establish your credibility on the topic -- tell what research
and experience you have with the topic
III.Preview your main points and thesis statement -- Tell
audience what each of your main points will cover
Each point should be written in complete sentences.
5. The Body should have two to five Roman numerals, one for
each main point, with subpoints. Each main point should have at
least two subpoints. Each subpoint should have at least two sub-
subpoints. Each main point, subpoint, and sub-subpoint should
be in complete sentences. At the end of each main point, you
should include a transition sentence to connect to the next main
point. (For a biographical speech, we usually use chronological
format to cover the person's childhood, education, career, and
what they are doing now or when they died.)
6. The Conclusion should have two Roman numerals:
I. Summarize your main points -- repeat your main points.
II. End with a strong closing statement.
Each of these should be in a complete sentence.
7. At the end of your outline, you should put a complete
Bibliography of the sources used in the speech.
8. Three resources are required from online database articles
found on the library's collection such as EBSCOhost and
Newsbank.
9. Use MLA or APA form for your bibliography to cite your
sources.