CMS 319: Business and Professional Speaking

Change is the only constant in today’s organizations. Kathleen Reardon, a noted scholar on persuasive organizational communication, explains that most business professionals will face a situation where they must convince other members of the organization to support an organizational change. The capacity to convince others distinguishes an effective business professional from an ineffective one. Influential professionals are able to use logical arguments with emotional appeals and credible delivery to motivate members of an organization.

The goal of this assignment is to help you develop the skills necessary to prepare and deliver a compelling argument for the support of a specific organizational change. To reach this goal, you are asked to structure a presentation that advocates a particular change in the organizational setting described in one of the case studies in this packet. You will use the Problem-Solution-Action pattern reviewed by your instructor to:

• Gain the audience’s attention
• Convince the audience of the need for change
• Present a proposed change
• Ask the audience to support the change

1. You will be assigned a case study in this packet. This case study will highlight an organization’s need for change. You must analyze the organization’s needs and develop a suggested organizational change to meet this need. If you wish to find or write a case of your own, please consult your instructor. Any case you locate/create must be approved by your instructor at least one week prior to your scheduled presentation date. If you write a case of your own, after gaining approval from the instructor, you must provide a copy of the case to each class member at least one class day prior to your presentation date.

 
2. You will complete the Outline Worksheet in this packet for the Problem-Solution-Action pattern. A class workshop will help you work on creating your suggested organizational change and building arguments in support of your proposed change.

 
3. On your presentation day, you will advocate your proposed organizational change to the audience. This presentation should: 1) both describe and draw attention to the extent/impact of the problem for you selected audience, 2) identify the underlying causes of the problem, 3) prescribe an adequate and adaptable solution, and 4) convince the audience to support the change.

 
4. You have 5 to 7 minutes to persuade the audience and garner their support. If you speak for less than the 5 minutes, or more than 7, you will be penalized. For example, if a speech is less than 5 minutes, one point will be deducted for each 15 second interval. For example, a speech that is 1-14 seconds short, would lose 1 point; a speech that is 15-29 seconds short, would lose two points, etc. Please, time your meeting when you practice.

 
5. Limit your notes to your instructor’s requirements. Include only KEY WORDS to prompt your thinking on notes. Do not write out whole sections (or the entire presentation) on your notes. If you choose to ignore this advice, expect to be penalized 5 points.

 
6. You must incorporate at least three computer-generated visual aids that enhance your presentation by adding to the audience’s understanding of your argument.

 
7. Remember, your grade depends on your ability to develop and deliver a well-organized presentation complete with rational, emotional, and credible appeals, as well as an attention-getting introduction and memorable conclusion. Delivery should include vivid and convincing language and you should strive to make meaningful eye contact and engage the audience. And be sure to dress the part.

 
8. Submit the following items in your presentation folder to your instructor on the day of your presentation:

• Your graded Instructor’s Evaluation for Presenting Yourself (original or copy)
• Instructor’s Evaluation for Presentation to Convince
• Presentation notes (place these in the folder following your presentation)
• Completed Outline
• Originals or copies of visual aids

9. On your presentation day, you will be videotaped while you speak. After the speech, you are to watch your tape and fill out the Self-Assessment form in this packet (your instructor will give you specific instructions on this). The Self-Assessment will be due one week after you deliver your presentation.

Problem-Solution-Action Outline Worksheet

Name: __________________________________ Case: ________________________________
 
 

Our audience is:

We are:

Specific purpose:
 
 

I. Attention Step (arrange in whatever order is most effective for your presentation):

A. Gain audience attention:

B. Direct audience to need (Why should we care in general?):
 
 
 
 

C. Credibility-enhancing material (Why should we listen to you?):
 
 
 
 

D. Preview (What will you be talking about? Be sure not to give away your solution!):
 
 

II. Problem Step:

A. Problem: (What, specifically, is the problem? Note: State as a claim)
 
 
 
 

1. Explanation (What are the elements/causes of the problem?)
 
 

a. Support (What evidence supports these elements/causes?)
 
 

b. Support
 
 

2. Who is affected (Why should listeners care about this problem?)
 
 
 
 

a. Support (What evidence verifies who is affected?)
 
 
 
 

b. Support
 
 
 
 

3. Consequences (What will happen if we don’t solve the problem?)
 
 
 
 

a. Support (What evidence verifies the consequences predicted?)
 
 
 
 

b. Support
 
 

III. Solution Step:
 
 

A. Solution (How do you propose to solve the problem?)
 
 

1. Explanation (What, specifically, is your plan to solve the problem?)
 
 
 
 

b. Element of solution
 
 
 
 

2. Remedy (How will your solution fix the problem?)
 
 

a. Fit (How does your solution fit with the problem?)
 
 
 
 

b. Satisfaction (How does your solution satisfy those affected by the problem?)
 
 
 
 
 
 

c. Workability (Will your solution work? Is it affordable?)

IV. Action

A. Action
 
 

1. Elements of the action (What, specifically, do you want the audience to do TODAY?)

a.
 
 
 
 

b.

c.
 
 

2. Appropriateness (Why is this action appropriate for your audience?)
 
 
 
 

3. Audience support (Ask the audience to support the action)
 
 

V. Conclusion

A. Summary statement

B. End memorably

NAME:_____________________________________________________ Speech Time:______

Introduction

                    1     2     3     4     5

Gain audience’s attention

Direct audience to need

Build credibility

Preview presentation

Problem Step

                    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10

State and explain elements/causes of problem

Show who is affected

Provide evidence to support claims

Discuss consequences of not solving problem
 
 

                    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10

State and explain the proposed solution

Show how the solution fits (solves) the problem

Show how solution satisfies audience

Provide evidence of workability/feasibility of solution

Relate solution back to the problem
 
 

                    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10

State clearly what you want the audience to do and when

Show how the action is appropriate

Emphasize need for audience support

Review presentation

End memorably

                    1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10     11     12     13     14     15

Use notes effectively/Extemporaneous

Use appropriate enthusiasm

Professionalism/Appropriate language

Make eye contact

Use voice effectively (e.g., rate, volume, vocal variety)

Use effective gestures/movements

Prepared and used visual aids effectively

Presentation Flow: well organized/easy to follow; use clear transitions

                    1        2     3     4     5

Prepared organized and efficient outline

Peer Feedback for Presentation to Convince

FEEDBACK FOR: _______________________________

Please complete evaluations for the speakers assigned to you by your instructor and turn them in at the end of class. The completion of these evaluations is reflected in your class participation grade. Please circle your response and make comments for each.

1 = Strongly Disagree...5 = Strongly Agree
 

The introduction and preview were clear.	1 2 3 4 5
The presenter convinced me that I should listen to the presentation.	1 2 3 4 5
The presenter established credibility.	1 2 3 4 5
The presentation was well organized and easy to follow.	1 2 3 4 5
The arguments helped to convince me to support this change.	1 2 3 4 5
The presenter’s delivery was smooth and free of distractions.	1 2 3 4 5

The greatest strength of this presentation was:

The suggestion I would make to improve this presentation is to:

Self-Assessment for Presentation to Convince

NAME: _____________________________ TOTAL/5 pts. _____

On a separate page, please write a brief 1-2 page essay that analyzes your presenting yourself presentation. This paper should be written in essay form. Use 1 inch margins, a standard 12 point font and proofread your paper for proper grammar, spelling, etc. The paper should address each of the following questions.

1. Was my introduction effective and my preview clear? Explain and give examples.

2. Did I fully describe and draw attention to the extent/impact of the problem? Explain and give examples.

3. Was my speech well organized? Explain and give examples.

4. Did I effectively employ ethos (credibility), logos (logic), and pathos (emotion)? Explain and give examples for each.

5. Was my delivery smooth and free from distractions? Explain and give examples.

6. For my last speech, the two things I’ll work on are: