Instructions: Students need to develop a professional presentation based on some suggestion they have for a group, organization, or company. Students should think of a group, organization, or company they are a member of, work for, or would like to work for; then think of one way in which they can improve some aspect of that group or organization.

For example: John works in the Personnel Department for U-Bet Advertising. He has noticed that many of his co-workers are dissatisfied with how the company handles vacation leave and vacation scheduling (because of the number of employees and popularity of summer months and holidays, employees do not always get to take off when they want to). Currently, vacation time is awarded entirely on a seniority basis. As an alternative, John suggests a vacation lottery with options for employees to switch and trade times. Thus, John's speech would include: 1) an explanation of the current problem and its effects; 2) an explanation of his proposed solution and how the company can implement it; and 3) an explanation of the benefits of his solution.

Back to Speech Main Page

Instructions: In the Instructor's Resource Manual for Public Speaking: Challenges and Choices, there is a major Professional Group Presentation Assignment that entails a PowerPoint presentation, either selling a product or a service. This assignment can help groups prepare and practice for this type of presentation or can be substituted as a less rigorous assignment.

The instructor should gather several common household items and put them into a box or bag. For example, things such as an egg carton, a laundry basket, a hair dryer, candle stick holders, pillow, trash can, sneaker, hanger, coffee cup, toilet paper, night light, silverware, blender, vase, flashlight, salt and pepper shakers, coasters, pencil sharpener, paper weight, bookmark, sponge, hammer, screwdriver, measuring tape, mascara, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair scrunchy/barrettes, pencil, pen, etc. Each group will choose one item from the bag and develop a speech on how to sell the item. However, the item cannot be sold for its original use. Each group must re-name the item, give it a new purpose, and then try to sell it.

The professional presentation should include the following:

The name of the group.
The group members.
The name of the product.
The purpose and description of the product.
The target audience of the product.
The benefits of the product — motivation
  for buying it.
Pricing of the product.
The availability of the product.

Back to Speech Main Page