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CST 110: Public Speaking Guide (Annandale)

This public speaking guide is created for students in CST 110 with Prof. Karimova.

Introduction to Public Speaking and Research

Image by Product School on Unsplash

 

You're being asked to develop several speeches throughout the semester on a topic of your choosing. Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin your research.

1. Begin with an idea. What would you like to learn more about?

If you’re not yet sure, scan the home page of a few news sources to see what stories are popular, or take a look at CQ Researcher in NOVA Library’s Databases list.

Determine a question you would like to answer. For example:

  • How is the war in Ukraine affecting economy in the United States?
  • What are the possible long term effects of COVID-19?
  • How do gun control laws affect crime rates?

2. Develop context for your topic/question by exploring background information on it. Consider the many resources available to you, including information on the open web, books on the shelves of NOVA Library, ebooks on the library’s many digital platforms, and the library’s streaming video options. 

3. In addition to background information, search for scholarly articles to discover what has been analyzed or studied on your topic. Consider your speech as a chance to enter into a conversation with these sources.

4. As you learn more about your topic, allow yourself to change your mind and consider new perspectives on your topic.

5. Read and evaluate the sources you find to determine their credibility and appropriateness for your speeches.

6. Remember that the ethical use of information involves giving credit to the sources you consult when you present ideas about your topic. For your speeches, you will do this through oral and written citations.  Not only does this help you avoid plagiarism, but it helps your audience trace the development of your ideas. Organize your sources in a way that allows you to manage your workload and properly cite the materials you use.

Notes about this guide

This online guide is dynamic. We hope to continue developing it to best facilitate your learning. If there are tools, resources, or approaches to thinking about your speeches that you would like to see addressed, let me or your instructor know. And, as always, if you have any questions, contact me, Stacy Arth, at sarth@nvcc.edu.

This guide was inspired by University of Maine's CMJ 103: Public Speaking & Information Literacy Guide created by Jen Bonnet.