COMM 1315: Basic Speech Communication
Purpose: To acquaint you with materials in Cornette Library that will make research for your speech assignments easier.
Birthday Newscast
Assignment: Use newspapers from Cornette Library's resources to prepare a speech about events that occurred on the day you were born. You can use local, state, national and foreign newspapers. Here are some microfilmed possibilities available on the second floor:
- Amarillo Daily News (1960-present)
- Dallas Morning News (1896-1996)
- Austin American and Austin American Statesman (1914-1976)
- New York Times (1851-present)
- Washington Post (1954-1978)
- Wall Street Journal (1889-present)
- Christian Science Monitor (1908-present)
- Times - London (1785-present)
You may also chose to use a newspaper from one of the library's databases. The choices include:
- New York Times Historical - PDF images of every article published from 1851-2007.
- Infotrac Newsstand - thousands of newpapers articles, current coverage. Some papers have older coverage, such as The New York Times (1985+) and The London Times (1985+)
To find microfilmed newspapers in Cornette Library's collection:
- Go to the Periodicals Desk on the second floor of Cornette Library and ask for the location of the microfilmed newspapers.
- Browse the titles looking for one published on the day after you were born.
- Load the roll of microfilm on one of the readers. If you need help doing this, ask at the Periodicals Desk.
- Scroll to the day following your birth.
- Take notes or photocopy any interesting stories you find. If you plan to copy the stories, be sure you have money on your Buffalo Gold Card. You may add additional money to your card at the Circulation Desk on the first floor of the Library.
To find online newspapers:
- Use one of the links above, or
- Look at the list of databases which contain newspapers.
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Impromptu Storytelling
Assignment: tell a story based on a prompt received in class
- Check out story examples and discussions of technique in library books.
- Locate with a "Subject Keyword" search on "storytelling" in the Cornette Library Online Catalog.
- Specific examples in the "Indian Reading Series" located in government documents.
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Informative Speech
Assignment: With your assigned group, prepare a presentation about a chartered WTAMU organization. Include at least 5 sources of information on your speech outline.
Organizations
The CORE (Campus Organizations, Resources and Entertainment) Center presents a list of campus organizations, with their contact information and descriptions.
Additional information sources
- Issues of The Prairie, print copies in Periodicals or online for Fall 2008 - present.
- Infotrac Newsstand - online articles from the Amarillo Globe News from 2000 to the present.
- Amarillo Globe News - use the web search feature
- Issues of Le Mirage, the campus yearbook, copies in Reference or Special Collections.
- The two histories of WT More Than Brick and Mortar and Always WT : West Texas A&M University Centennial History
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Persuasive Speech
Assignment: Give a speech persuading your audience to give time or money to a service organization.
Supporting Material
- 2-1-1 Texas, statewide searchable listing of service agencies.
- United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, local agencies and services.
- Search Infotrac Newsstand for articles related to the mission of the organization, such as "drug abuse" or "cancer prevention"
As you need assistance, ask at the Reference Desk on the first floor of Cornette Library.
All of our online resources are available from off-campus as well as in the library. Login with your Buff Advisor username (for example, js123456) and your Buff Advisor password (for example, buffaloes).
Logo
- Displays in most of our databases. Links from a citation to one or more of the following:
- One or more links to full-text of the cited article,
- A link to a pre-set search of the Cornette Library catalog for the cited item,
- A link to a pre-filled Interlibrary Loan request form for the article, or
- A link to various help options.
- For more information see the tutorial Using SFX to Link to Articles
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Finding Reliable Information
Databases contain reliable sources, and many are also scholarly. It's important to evaluate sources and to know what makes a scholarly source.
Citing Your Sources
Why must I cite the sources I use for research projects?
- To give credit to the author of the information you use.
- To avoid plagiarism (WTAMU Code of Student Life: Appendix I-Academic Integrity Code). Plagiarism is a serious offense that can result in a failing grade or worse!
- So that others can verify the information.
- To assist others in doing their own research.
APA Style
- A copy of the 6th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association is kept at the Reference Desk.
- Cornette Library's Citation Basics page has examples of the most common types of sources that are cited. Our Recommended Web Sites: Citing Print and Internet Sources has links to other helpful citation sample pages.
- Additional assistance available from the APA online site.
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Your Comments
- Suggestions for improvements?
- Particularly helpful items?
- Please email Linda Chenoweth.
Thank you.
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