CATA 101 - Fundamentals of Communication

Dr. Lee McGaan  

  Office:  WH 308  (ph. 457-2155);  email lee@monm.edu
  Home:  418 North Sunny Lane (ph. 734-5431)

Fall 2008 Office Hours:  MWF: 9-10am & 11am-1pm; TTh: 10:30am-noon; & by apt.  |       copyright (c) by Lee McGaan, 2008


Audience Analysis Paper Assignment

 This Assignment applies to your third speech, the Persuasive Speech, ONLY

The Audience Analysis Assignment requires you to think about the characteristics of the audience to whom you intend to give your persuasive speech and write a short paper (two to three pages) discussing how you will use your knowledge of the audience to design your speech.  You might want to chat with your friends and/or family about what are the best answers to these questions but, in the end, you will have to use your best judgment.  ( 50 points)

  This paper will be due 24 hours prior to the class meeting BEFORE your speech is scheduled.  (see the Speech III Schedule)

Structure your paper as a set of LABELED answers to the following questions.

  1. The audience you have selected for my persuasive speech will be . . . .  [ Name the audience and describe what sort of a group they are by indicating some key characteristics: demographically, professionally, educationally, etc., in a paragraph or so.]    ( 5 points)
     
  2. Describe the current attitude of this audience toward your topic and persuasive purpose. ( 5 points)
     
  3. The persuasive purpose of your speech will be to . . . .   [ Identify which of the five general persuasive purposes you will attempt and then be specific in explaining what exactly you wish to change about the audience, including behavior if appropriate.]      ( 5 points)
     
  4. Describe some relevant VALUES and/or MOTIVES you may be able to appeal to in persuading the audience to go along with your persuasive goal.      ( 5 points)
     
  5. Describe the important BELIEFS [ There are usually several.] this audience must have by the end of your speech if they are to go along with your persuasive goal.    ( 5 points)
     
  6. The persuasive thesis of your speech will be . . . .           ( 5 points)
     
  7. The thought pattern for your speech will be. . . [ name it - pro-con, motivated sequence, etc.]  Explain why you selected that pattern . . . . [Justify your choice as to why this  thought pattern will work for your goal, e.g. why one-sided, or two-sided, etc.]   (5 points)

    The main points are (phrased as assertions) below.  (5 points)
     

  8. Describe in two or three paragraphs, how you will use the information concerning beliefs, and values/motives in designing your speech [ That is, explain your strategy for using the B + V/M = Att. system.]      ( 15 points)
     

Last updated 12/4/2006