Describing Positions in a Controversy

Describing Positions in a Controversy
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This assignment asks you to push your analysis into examining the positions that people argue within a controversy. Here, we return to the same sort of analysis we started in speech #1. For this speech (5-7 minutes) you are asked to expand your research and analysis into creating a sketch of the different positions people take with regard to a controversy. You are no longer focused on what the controversy is, but rather how people locate themselves in relation to the controversy (for example, what they think the solution is, if they think it is a problem, what the differences in solutions proposed is).

Expanding your research to no fewer than nine sources, prepare a speech that seeks to describe, analyze, and compare and contrast 3-5 different positions that different arguers take with regard to a controversy. You should describe and analyze the primary arguments of each position, examine what they use for data and what claims are being made, their form of reasoning, and the strategies that they use to make their case for a particular argument.

I suggest that you continue to research the same controversy that you did the problem for, but you do not have to. The idea is to realize that controversies have more than 2 sides and to give an informative speech that attempts to use the tools we have (rhetoric and argument) to better understand what it is that people are arguing about. Here you not only need to present "both" sides, but three to five sides, and explain how they are different.

Within your analysis, you will be responsible for:

evaluating the ethos of the speaker(s)
identifying the values, interests, and assumptions of the positions/solutions
evaluating the persuasive strategies used in the articles
explaining the positions in relation to one another
synthesizing the texts

Minimum requirements for the assignment:

Speech length is 5-7 minutes. Speeches that fall outside the time parameters by more than 1/2 minute (in either direction) will have their final grade reduced by up to one full grade level.
Appropriate use of transitional statements, pointer phrases, repetition, and vocal emphasis
You will need a minimum of 7 sources cited in the performance of the speech. No more than 3 of these sources can come from any type of internet related context. The last page of your outline should be a bibliography in a proper citation style.
You will need to use a Visual Aid to assist your audience in listening and understanding to your speech.
On the first workshop day, Please bring a copy of your research materials, and some sort of layout of the major positions you will examine for workshopping.
Please bring two copies of a finished outline on the second workshop day.
A typed outline of the speech must be turned in prior to speaking in addition to any miscellaneous workshop response sheets and notes, etc. The outline that you turn in to me should have complete sentences so that the major movements of the speech are clear (main points, transitions, and support should all be in full sentences). Speeches delivered with a manuscript will not receive credit higher than a "C."