“What’s in My Bag” Speech
Goal: To ease your apprehension, facilitate enjoyment, and provide for an atmosphere where you learn about yourself and one another.
Assignment: Prepare and present a short speech (2 – 3 minutes ONLY). Fill the bag with three items. The bag and each item chosen should symbolize something about your life:
—the first item should represent something from your past
—the second item represents the present
—the third item represents something about your future
The bag itself should also symbolize something of significance about you. You will display each item one at a time and explain how each item and the bag exemplify you and your life.
The items should be innovative and can be as abstract as you wish as long as you clarify for your audience how it relates to you or a significant situation. Give your audience insight into your interests, hobbies, ambitions, goals, concerns, and so forth. Keep in mind that your objects should be large enough to be seen from the back of the room. Passing around objects serves only as a distraction to you and your audience.
Also, keep in mind that textbooks, notebooks, pictures, and class schedules may be very common and trite. Strive to be creative.
Notes are acceptable. Practice your speech at least five times to be sure you are within the time limit.
Practice so you do NOT ramble.
Innovative Examples: A bag of coffee bought in Venezuela (enroute home from serving in Desert Storm); a stuffed cow (she claimed to be bull-headed); a map (she claimed to feel lost in life and is searching for direction); an old security blanket (she always will be looking for reassurance); and a brick (to represent a solid marriage). The bag be any – from a pillow case to a decorated grocery bag, as long as it represents something to you.
Evaluation: Speeches will be constructively evaluated on vocal quality, posture, absence of verbal fillers, organization of presentation, eye contact, and the originality and depth of your discussion of each item. The evaluation provides feedback on your strengths and weaknesses in speech preparation and delivery so you can set goals for yourself this semester.
What to Submit the Day of Your Speech
The complete sentence and detailed outline as shown below. Use the exact format and headings of Introduction, Body and Conclusion. 1 page only.
TYPED outline should include complete sentences, excellent structure and clarity. .5 to 1 inch margins acceptable, single space, 12-point font, and name, course/section number.
Introduction
Catch the audience’s attention. Powerful communication quote or short story to get audience interested.
State your name, include a nice greeting and explain the bag’s significance.
Body
Past item (Two – four complete sentences that explain your past item)
Present item (Two – four complete sentences that explain your present item)
Future item (Two – four complete sentences that explain your future item)
Conclusion
Brief summary of your speech.
End with power! Quote or memorable thought.
Make sure you practice and time yourself so that the speech fits the time requirements of the assignment. Points will be deducted for going over the 2 -3 minute time limit.
Submit the Speech Presentation video and outline to this dropbox.
You are required to submit the “What’s in My Bag Speech” Presentation in the following format (it will not be graded otherwise)::
Record the speech. Go to www.YouTube.com and create a free account. Upload your speech video and select “Unlisted” (this means only people with the link can view the speech. Do not list it as “Private” or I will not be able to view the video. Once the video has uploaded to YouTube, you will see a link to the video. Copy and past the link into a Word doc and submit the Word doc to the dropbox. Review your submission to ensure that the link works.
NOTE: Do not submit the speech presentation as a video file. You must submit it as a YouTube link or it will not be graded.
