Personal object speech overview

1. Personal Object Speech

2. Personal Object Speech overview
Create a 2 ½ minute speech, using an meaningful
object, that represents your:
1)Cultural background
2)Personality
3)Hobbies
4)And/or values, ambitions, major
The object is a point of reference that explains how
it relates to your life. You will use three main
points to reference how it relates.

3. Personal Object speech preparation
Using the chosen object as a point of departure, you
should develop a speech that explains how it relates to
your life.
Examples:
A new father might select a cloth diaper as a vehicle for
discussing his approach to parenting.
A soccer player might bring a jersey or ball to illustrate
her passion about the sport and how it changed her life.

4. Personal object speech preparation
Examples:
An aspiring chef might bring their knives or chefs hat to discuss their
goal of being a Food Network Star.
A Harry Potter fan may bring one of their favorite books to describe
how reading it opened up their world to magic and now they want to
write.
An student may want to use their country flag to discuss their culture
and history and the meaning to their life.

5. What other objects?
Other objects discussed:
Sports equipment such as cleats, jersey’s etc. from past or current
sports involvement.
Paintings, journals, jewelry, wedding dresses, and personal tattoos.
Jeans, Michael Jordan tennis shoes, and items such as stethoscope, t-
shirts of family members who have passed away.

6. Personal object speech requirements
 Simple outline – Due: March 22 (Must typed, and is required to be
able to speak.)
 Full sentence outline – Due: Day of your speech (Must be turned
into instructor before you speak or your will lose ____ points. )
 Notecards for your speech. (This should be half of an 8 ½ by 11
paper or actual note cards.)
Required object:
 Bring your personal object to class on your speech day.
 IF the object is too large, too rare, or too valuable, you should bring
in a model, drawing, or photograph of the object.
 You will lose points for not having the object, model, drawing, copy
or photograph

7. Speech Information/Late
 You are required to give your speech the day it is scheduled. In most
cases, make-up speeches are not allowed.
 IF YOU CAN’T MAKE YOUR SPEECH, YOU NEED TO EMAIL THE
INSTRUCTOR. If you do not email the instructor, you will receive a fail
for the speech, and in the event that a make-up speech would be
allowed, it will be made up during class time and your score will be
lowered an entire letter grade.
 The reasons for acceptance of late work or allowing missed speeches
are: illness requiring a visit to a doctor, required presence in court or
other legal proceedings, death in the immediate family, or a school
sanctioned event or religious holiday.

8. Recommended time division: 2 to 2 1/2 minutes; 30 second
grace period.
I. Introduction: 15 seconds
II. Body: 2 min. in length
III. Conclusion: 15 seconds

9. Handout

10. PERSONAL OBJECT Simple Outline
Due: March 22 (At the beginning of class)
Must be typed: (Will not be able to speak, if not turned in.)
Student’s name:
Class/Time:
Date:
The Outline (This is where the speech starts)
Name: Share your name
Specific Purpose (Preview statement): To introduce myself to my audience by explaining
how my (object) reveals that I am a…
Transition: I will be sharing my three main points.
Main Points: (List your three main points) Use topical, chronological, or the easiest the Object
organizational pattern
a. Main point one (No longer than one sentence)
b. Main point two (No longer than one sentence)
c. Main point three (No longer than one sentence)

11. PERSONAL OBJECT Final Full Sentence Outline
Due: Day of your assigned day; Length: 2 ½ minutes long (30 second grace period)
Must be typed and turned in at the beginning of class on your assigned speech
day. (Will lost points, if not turned in. )
At the top of the page of the outline
Student’s name:
Class/Time:
Date:
Topic: Title that suggests the topic of your speech
Thesis: The central idea of your speech (summary of main points.)
The outline (This is where the speech starts)
I. Introduction
A. Attention Getter: Use something that grabs the attention of the audience. (Quote, story,
statistics, research source)
B. Thesis Statement: One short, clear sentence that tells the audience the topic of your
presentation. (The object)
C. Preview of Main Points: (Provide a summary of your main points.)

12. PERSONAL OBJECT Final Full Sentence
II. The Body
A. Statement of first main point
1. Support material (ex: stories, examples, statistics, quotation, etc.)
Transition: (Required) Statement of movement that looks back (internal summary)
and looks forward (preview).
B. Statement of second main point
1. Support material (ex: stories, examples statistics, quotation, etc.)
Transition: (Required) Statement of movement that looks back and looks forward
(internal summary)
C. Statement of third main point.
1. Support material (ex: stories, examples, statistics, quotation, etc.)

13. PERSONAL OBJECT Final Full Sentence
III. Conclusion
A. Review of Main Points:
1.Restate your first main point, your second main point,
and third main point.
a. Closure: Develop a creative closing that will give the
speech a sense of ending. This point may be more than one
sentence. You should refer back to your attention getter.

14. I. INTRODUCTION
A. Attention Getter: Someone once said, you don’t
really know a person until you walk a mile in his or her
shoes. Whoever said this must have met many a person
like me.
B. Specific Purpose: (one sentence overview)Where
one’s shoes have been and what they have done can
give you a great deal of insight into a person.
C. Preview statement: (Central idea) I think my shoes
reveal a lot about me—not only my everyday activities
and hobbies, but the events that have shaped my inner
self.
Personal Object example - A Mile in my Shoes – pg.
41 to 42 in textbook

15. II. BODY
Main 1. If you closely examine my shoes, you'll notice many
things that connect me to what I do.
A. I am an artist. You may see a speck of paint that fell from the
brush as I worked on my latest still-life oil painting.
B. Or you may notice a fair amount of clay, a result of my
aggressive wrestling with the medium on a potter's wheel.
Transition: The exterior of my shoes can tell you a lot about
what I do, but they also can provide clues to who I am and
Personal Object example - A Mile in my
Shoes

16. II. BODY
Main 2. Also evident on my shoes is my major on campus. A.
I'm a Meat and Animal Science major, and my shoes bear full
documentation of my involvement in this program.
B. The shoelaces are frayed from the sheep that chew on them
while I work in the barns. The leather is marred from the hooves
of animals stepping on my feet.
C. If you're unfortunate enough, you may find something in the
treads that I accidentally stepped in.
Transition: My shoes have done more than been in barns,
they have also been on many adventures and special occasions.
Personal Object example - A Mile in my Shoes

17. II. BODY
Main 3. I have always been an explorer and traveler. My father says
that I was born under a wandering star.
A. My shoes have been on my feet for many of my spiritual and
physical wanderings.
B. They've walked up into the Alps, across the cliffs of Ireland, and
through 14 countries.
C. They've been on numerous backpacking trips throughout the nation
and on hikes in the northern Wisconsin woods.
D. They've been witnesses to archeological digs and rowing regattas.
E. They were on my feet the day I took my first hike with my fiancé and
Personal Object example - A Mile in my Shoes

18. III. Conclusion
A. Summary: (Summary of main points)So you can see my
shoes have been through a lot, and they’re beginning to
show the wear and tear a bit. They’ve been witnesses to my
everyday adventures and the epic journeys that have
shaped my life.
B. Refer back to the introduction: You can learn a lot about
me by looking at my shoes, but you could learn a great deal
more by walking a few miles in them.
Personal Object example - A Mile in my Shoes

19. Speech – A mile in my shoes

20. Personal Object Steps to Writing the speech
1. Select your object (In-class exercise)
2. Decide your main points (organizational pattern) Pg. 51 in your
textbook (Object, Chronological, and Topical) Also, Journalistic
approach --- Who, What, Where, When, and Why?
3. Use the organizational pattern as your roadmap to begin writing.
4. Think about your audience while writing. Are there words,
expressions, and you should consider?
5. Write introduction – Pgs. 64 to 68;and conclusion see pgs. 68 to 69
(Also, see chapters 8 – Organizing and 9 - Introductions and
Conclusions)
6. When done, read the speech out loud to see if it sounds
conversational and to see how long it is.
7. Edit - If your speech is too long - a) Cut the introduction and conclusion; b)
Look for repetition; c) Shorten quotes; d) Cut unnecessary details.

21. Organize main points Object pattern- pg. 51
Main Point 1: Origin/meaning (Cultural, historical, or
family origin/meaning.)
Main Point 2: Physical characteristics (Describe, vivid
language.)
Main Point 3: Special qualities (What stands out, what
has meaning about the object.)

22. Organize main points Chronological (past, present, future) pg.
51

23. How to Organize Topical (Natural or Logical
Divisions)
A mile in my shoes: Each main point reveals
something different about the speaker.
Main Point 1: The speaker is an artist
Main Point 2: The speaker is a Meat and Animal
Science Major
Main Point 3: The speaker travels, is involved in
many activities, and is engaged to be married.

24. What are speech transitions?
Speech transitions are magical words and phrases
that help your speech flow smoothly.
They form an entire sentence that move the speech
from main point to main point.
They reveal the relationship between the words
just spoken and those about to be spoken. In this
way, speech transitions help your audience
understand your message.
Transitions Resource: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/574/01/

25. Creating Credibility
Help your audience identify with you.
1)Mention what you have in common.
2)Be friendly. Smile. Make eye contact.
3)Relate to listener’s situation, feelings, and motives
4)Have a open, natural nonverbal that match what you say.
5)Be organized, well rehearsed, and most of all be
enthusiastic.
6) Wear appropriate and attractive clothing.

26. Why don’t these work for a speech?

27. Dress for Success.

28. Personal Object Speech DAY Guidelines
1. Speak from brief notes or a manuscript (Take your outline and turn it
into a paper format, such as the Personal Object speech on the other side of
this paper. )
2. Eye contact is vital.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of speech - Practice your speech at least 5-7
times in front of a mirror or recording device before the due date. You should
know your time and get a feeling for the duration of the speech.
4. Turn in a typed outline before you speak.
5. No hats, sunglasses, ear buds, or t-shirts with offensive images or
language.
6. Must speak on your assigned day. If you miss your speech and do not
contact me, you will not be able to make it up.
7. Dress up for extra credit – 5 points for professional dress

29. DELIVERY pgs. 23 to 37 in your textbook
You will get what you give. What you put
into things is what you get out of them.
~ Jennifer Lopez

30. 1. Preparation begins with conceptualization –
When you begin writing your speech, you are in the
process of practicing it.
Sit down with notes.
Think about what one thing you want the audience to
remember from each point and how to transition between
points.
2. Internalize don’t memorize
Internalize not memorize.
Know the stories. Present it in a conversational tone and
not to recite from a script.

31. 3. Present out loud –
Speak it out loud. Reading and speaking your presentation are
two different things. You need to say your speech out loud to
know how it sounds, where transitions are rocky, and to
discover any points or stories that don’t fit.
4. Present standing up
Practice my presentation standing up in a room.
Practice my gestures and how I am going to move.
5. Present in the clothes you are going to wear –
To me this makes my practice real.
 It also tells you if your cloths are comfortable and you feel
good in them.

32. 6. Time it – Plan out how much time you want to spend
on each point or slide. Then time it when you practice. Too
short? Too long? Remember audiences do mind if you go
over time!
7. Visualize your success – Visualize yourself in front of
the audience. Visualize doing well. By the time I YOU get to
the front of the class you will have given your presentation
several times.

33. Research has confirmed that 93 percent of your
communication impact comes from how you look and
sound, which is what your delivery is all about.
S.P.E.A.K.E.R. stands for:
Smile
Posture
Eye Communication
Appearance
Kinesics
Expressive Vocals
Resting Places for Your Hands

34. The seven key S.P.E.A.K.E.R. details below:
1) Smile – The important of smiling is discussed in Principle
10 in your text book.
Appropriate smiling is even more important. One must
reflect the tone of the material they are presenting.

35. S.P.E.A.K.E.R. a
2) Posture – Be professional in your posture.
No leaning on the podium
Hands in pocket
Playing with hair, jewelry, clothing
Add hand gestures to help describe (Tall/Short,
Big/Small, You/Me)

36. S.P.E.A.K.E.R.
3) Eye Communication – The importance of making eye
contact is discussed in Axiom 10 in the book.
Triangle
Obama Cone
The quadrant
Mindful eye.

37. S.P.E.A.K.E.R.
4) Appearance
Clothes make the man or women. Naked people have little
or no influence in society.” ~Mark Twain
Don’t let your clothing, jewelry, etc. get in the way of
your message. You have 30 seconds for your audience to
decide if they want to listen.

38. 5) Kinesics – Moving around is important – Do the 3 point walk for a
dynamic presentation.
6) Expressive vocals – Using your voice to show emotions helps draw
your audience into your speech. If they can feel your words, they are
more involved. See Principle 10 for exercises to help you use the power
of your voice.
7) Resting places for hands – Doing something with your hands is
important. If they are moving around randomly, the audience is focused
on that, instead of your speech. Review Principle 10 to find ways to use
your hands effectively.
S.P.E.A.K.E.R.

39. Pitch Experimentation:
Say the sentences below in your high, middle and low pitch
range. Note what happens to the intensity and the way you
perceive the emotional content of the sentences. There will
be a distinct variation between each.
I broke up with my partner.
I want a new car.
This dinner is delicious.
People should love their neighbors as themselves.

40. Exercises for TONE
The Ham Sandwich Exercise: Repeat the words
'Ham Sandwich' in as many varying ways as you can. For
example say it angrily, happily, sadly, lovingly, despairingly,
laughingly, importantly, slyly, snidely, shyly ...

41. Avoid these telltale signs of worry:
Fidgeting: Avoid touching your face or playing with jewelry. Keep your hands in front of you. If using a lectern, place
your hands on either side of it.
Pacing: Rather than pace in a random, panicky manner, move strategically. Move a few steps and then stop. This can
help keep an audience engaged, and you can use it to emphasize the message you’re communicating.
Hands shaking: Use cards rather than sheets of paper for your notes. This will make your shakiness much less apparent.
Never have change or keys in your pockets. You do not want to have the sound of objects competing with your voice.
Never wear a hat or sunglasses, unless it is part of your presentation. Dress appropriately any time you give a
presentation. It is better to make a credible first impression by looking as if you are interested in giving a good speech.
Do not use distracting mannerisms. This includes many nervous habits you might have (i.e. playing with a ring or
necklace, tucking hair behind your ear, playing with a pen; cracking knuckles, etc.). These are actions you can easily
avoid doing if you are aware of them. Take off your jewelry; tie your hair back or moose it down; get rid of the pen,
etc...
Do not stand with your arms crossed or your hands in your pockets. This type of posture prevents you from gesturing
and may even make your audience uncomfortable.
Never apologize if you make a mistake while giving a speech. Simply correct the mistake and move on. You never want
to draw light to an error, chances are most people will miss it anyway. Along these same lines never make faces when
you make a mistake it is better to just keep going.

42. Need Help? You got it!
Make an appt. with Professor Thornock, by email.
Schedule an appointment at the Writing Center,
LARC room 229, call or email at:
(818) 947-2810
writingtutor@lavc.edu
Visit: The Online Writing Center http://
www.lavc.edu/writingcenter

43. Mind Mapping for Main Ideas
(Topical/Chronological)
Brainstorming main points
My speech – The Apron

44. Brainstorming Personal Object

47. Apron Speech
Cooking – Tools, Cookbooks, Food supplies, Types of
cooking, cooking shows, purpose of cooking, clothing
(apron), etc.
Apron represents love of cooking
Not just an Apron – But magical Chef uniform
Relationship with my mother
Learning about other cultures/food
Meditative practice