I need some advice for my speech class.

[Idioteque]

Speech class is mandatory for all students at Florida public universities. During the course, we are required to give three speeches: a cultural diversity speech, an informative speech, and a persuasive speech.

The kicker is, all three speeches have to be on a single umbrella topic. I've chosen atheism.

For my cultural diversity speech I plan on talking about discrimination against and mistreatment of atheists int he United States. In my persuasive speech I am going to make the case for atheism and point out the shortcomings of religion.

In between those two speeches, however, I will have to give a 6-8 minute informative speech that somehow relates to atheism. I'm having a hard time thinking of a topic that would fit well in the middle of the sequence and not be mind numbingly dull for my classmates.

Any advice you guys have would be seriously appreciated. :)

[Broken_Hero]

1. How about a history lesson of atheism

like, how he got its roots, or when Atheism, the term was coined...like a histoy lesson, and perhaps throw in some points of well known atheists who did good for humankind/people...

[6000eliot]

2. If you don't mind a friendly word of warning,

I would not point out the shortcomings of religion. It's liable to get the audience angry at you (I teach this stuff, so I've seen It first hand). You can argue that atheism is a viable alternative without tearing down religion.

[Idioteque]

6. I'm going to be careful about it...

I don't plan on attacking any particular beliefs. Instead I will just focus on the fact that science is preferable to religion when it comes to answering the questions of the universe.

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. I agree with the first reply

discuss famous atheists throughout history, there are more than enough to fill a 8 minute speech and some led rather interesting lives. It's funny you brought this topic up because I just snatched a documentary off the web called "Jonathan Miller's Brief History of Disbelief" http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/atheism.shtml. It was a BBC documentary and it was really good, I could PM you the torrent link if you want to check it out.

[Idioteque]

8. I'll check out documentary.

It's up on Google Video.

Thanks!

[Broken_Hero]

10. agreed, its something I've never seen before

and I think a speech/history lesson on that, would be very interesting...well, to me at least!. :D

[Evoman]

4. Your brave...its tough having your audience against you. If I had to choose a topic, I would have

chosen speeches about how cute puppies are. Heh.

[Idioteque]

5. Well my professor took a demographic survey of my class during the first week.

There are 14 people in my class. Something like five of them identify as Christian. Two or so were Jewish. I think one was Buddhist and about six of us said some form of "none".

Which means almost half the class is already somewhat favorable to my message.

[Evoman]

7. Thats cool then. Show em what an atheist can do, baby!

[khashka]

9. Ha ha ha

I think you've got it made!

I had to take the same class for my BA.... and I hate public speaking. I did the pros and cons of body peircing and it was a laugh riot. Got the highest grade in the class.

But from your post, I doubt you need any help. Rock on!

Khash.

[Idioteque]

11. I've thought of something!

I think a good choice for my second speech might be "Alternatives to Theism". I can explain the difference between theism, atheism, agnosticism, and deism and talk about non-theistic religions such as Buddhism.

[Broken_Hero]

12. are you sure, that seems like a lot to stuff into 6-8 minutes...nt

[VenusRising]

13. I think if you want to maintain the flow of your speech

you should go with the history and beliefs of atheism. That way, when you go on to your persuasive speech, they already have historical references when you are persuading. I don't think that the evolution of atheism would be that boring considering you are starting out with discrimination of atheists in society. It sounds like a great topic for a series of speeches where you can be really informative. Good luck!!

:thumbsup:

[Orsino]

14. Double- and triple-check your fly.

Best wishes!