• Unit 6: Researching Your Speech

    In the introduction to the chapter in the textbook which covers the topic of research, the authors emphasize an entity whose role in society is being usurped by other developments. That entity is the librarian and the most influential of those "other developments" is the Internet. Pursuing accurate, ethical, and relevant research today is complicated by the sheer number of sources of information that is now available. In the past, libraries and librarians acted as gatekeepers to screen out many flawed or misleading sources of information; today, however, access to the Internet gives the researcher the freedom to make his or her own choices, regardless of whether that individual is adequately prepared to do so. As this issue becomes increasingly important, educators are emphasizing information literacy as a "core" skill – like public speaking – which is a requisite for success in the information-driven, information-overloaded world we live and work in today.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • contrast primary and secondary research;
      • determine research needs based on the topic and purpose of a speech;
      • contrast the nature and value of academic and nonacademic sources;
      • determine the value of sources by using specific guidelines;
      • choose the most effective method for citing sources within a speech;
      • paraphrase information from a source;
      • summarize information from a source;
      • identify information from sources that is and is not suitable for quotation; and
      • revise passages from a speech that display ethical issues in the use of sources.

    • 6.1: What is Research?

      • What Is Research? URL

        Read the introduction to chapter 7 and section 7.1. This section explains why research happens and what we do with its results. Attempt the exercises at the end of the section.

      • Supporting Your Ideas URL

        This chapter discusses how to determine the value of academic and nonacademic sources and guidelines for making these determinations. 

      • Research and Support URL

        Watch this video for an overview of presentation research. Each type of research has assets and liabilities. Think about how to identify resources, secure them, and evaluate their effectiveness.

      • Supporting Evidence URL

        This video applies the process of finding and using supporting resources in public presentations. As you watch, reflect on how it relates to what you've studied thus far.

    • 6.2: Developing a Research Strategy

      • Developing a Research Strategy URL

        This section gives a practical approach to finding useful, credible information efficiently. This process is called your research strategy.

      • Source Evaluation URL

        Watch this video about supporting research and evaluating sources. What makes a good source? What makes information useful? What makes information good?

    • 6.3: Citing Sources

      • Citing Sources URL

        This section considers using a speaker's point of view rather than a writer's. Review these guidelines on plagiarism and how to cite sources in a way that helps listeners recognize and respect them. Answer the questions at the end of the section.

    • 6.4: Unit 6 Exercises

      • Practice Exercises URL

        After you finish this unit, answer these questions. If you get any incorrect, review that material from the chapter.