Those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail.........- Benjamin Franklin

This week your work will focus on specific steps for preparing and presenting your first speech, the personal narrative.

1. Plan, practice and present your personal narrative talk;
2. Watch videotape #3: Preparing Your First Talk;
3. Read Chapters 2 and 7 of your textbook, A Speaker's Guidebook;
4. Sign on to Blackboard and complete two options for Unit Two on the discussion board;
5. Check out the tips for preparing your personal narrative (left); and
6. Check out the assignment for the Personal Narrative Talk:

Present a speech, lasting 2-3 minutes, in which you share a personal experience, value, opinion, belief or attitude that will enable you to establish your credibility for future talks in this course. This is an extemporaneous talk so you are welcome to have notes, but no manuscript. The emphasis will be on delivering a conversational talk. Do not write your speech out word for word; trust yourself to tell your story! Develop your narrative informally, with emphasis on demonstrating the qualities of an effective communicator.

Concentrate on developing a clear introduction, discussion, and conclusion for your talk. Do not plan a question/answer session since time will not permit this.

Your speech will be videotaped in class. Please bring a high-quality VHS tape to class.