Unit Profile

Content Matter: Research & Public Speaking: Informative Speech

(Cause/Effect or Definition)
Level of Class: Freshman
Unit Objectives:
-

Students will know what qualities a good public speaker possesses and
how to communicate clearly through oral language. They will also know
how to research material, paraphrase, and cite in MLA format.
Students will be able to plan for, construct, and give an informative
speech. They will also be able to use the internet for academic
research, document their sources, and paraphrase their information.
Students will understand how to assert opinions and facts in a speech
setting while implementing ethos, pathos, and logos. They will also
understand how to incorporate research into an academic project.
CCS targeted: L.9-10.6 Acquire and use accurately general academic
and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing,
speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level;
demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when
considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or
expression.

Teacher Role:

Didactic
Facilitative
Coached
Consultant

20%
20%
40%
20%

Knowledge on students participating in this unit:

Research: Students are aware of how to use the internet to find information,
they have beginner skills on evaluating sources for credibility, they are
unaware of MLA citation and Work Cited pages.
Public Speaking: Students at this stage in maturity dont typically have skills
in this area yet. Speaking in front of peers can still be a large source of
anxiety for them. This unit will operate as if we are starting from the
foundation of speech giving and more or less get them comfortable with
doing so in an academic environment. Prestige and sophistication will not so
much be a concern for this level of learner.
Prerequisite knowledge: Students should know to utilize the Google search
engine effectively.
Texts/Materials I intend to use: Powerpoint information from Mrs. Lawson on
being a good public speaker. St. Martins Handbook for Purpose, Audience,
Tone & Ethos, Pathos, Logos review. I-Search Powerpoint if necessary (if

students dont know how to evaluate sources). Plagiarism powerpoint for

Citation purposes.
Technology utilized: Internet and school database for research and visual aid.
Activities:

Differentiated?

Warm-up Impromptu Definition Speeches

thinking
topics
Evaluating Sources Challenge

Yes/No

Yes/No

If Yes, How?
level of complex
bags to pull

Ability small groups

Paraphrasing Telephone Game

Yes/No

N/A

Mini Research & Debate Activity

tasks

Yes/No

Group-assigned

Independent mini-research Activity (phobias)

Yes/No

N/A

Peer-feedback speed-dating Activity

have different
feedback sheets for types of
response they should give.

Yes/No

Students will

Assessment Techniques:
Pre: Warm-up Impromptu Definition Speech
Formative: Activities stated above, research progress/checkpoint worksheets,
and 1-on-1 conference time during research and organization process.
Summative: Works Cited page, Final speech.
Common Core Standards:
RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.7, RI.9-10.10 (during the reading of informational
text to find useful material for their speech and visual aid.
SL.9-10.1, SL.9-10.6, L.9-10.3 (Accomplished during the planning and
activities)
SL.9-10.2, SL.9-10.4, SL.9-10.5, L.9-10.1 (Summative Assessment- speech
and visual aid)
L.9-10.6 (overall purpose of this unit)