2. Research methods
• Librarians: do not be shy about asking for help
• The catalogue: listing of all library resources,
availability
• Periodical databases : locate magazine and
journal articles
• Reference works: encyclopedias,
yearbooks/almanacs, quotation books,
biographical aids
3. Internet research
• Search engines: Google, Yahoo
• Virtual libraries: Librarians' Internet Index (lii.org),
Internet Public Library (ill.org)
• Government resources: uSA.gov, Statistical
Abstract (census.gov/compendia/statab/), World
Factbook (cIA.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/)
• Multicultural resources: Yahoo!Regional
(dir.yahoo.com/Regional), see listing pg. 127 of the
text.
4. Evaluating Internet
documents
• Authorship: you should never use an article you
cannot verify the authorship of. Is the author qualified?
Is the author an expert? How might you find this out??
• Sponsorship: most websites are published by
groups, not individual authors. As a result, you must
judge whether the sponsoring organization is impartial
enough to cite in your speech. Credibility.
• Recency: how old is the article? You can looks for a
copyright date, publication date, or date of last
revision on a website to find out when it was last
updated.
5. Using examples
• Examples help clarify your statements, give
listeners specific details to latch on to, vivid
examples have an impact on listeners.
• Brief examples: specific instances, used to
illustrate a point
• Extended examples: narratives,
anecdotes. Usually detailed and dramatic,
they draw listeners into the speech.
6. Using examples
• Hypothetical examples : describes an
imaginary situation. Can be very effective.
Speaker creates a realistic scenario, relates it
directly to the audience, and gets them involved
in the speech. Best to follow up hypothetical
scenarios with factual evidence.
• Examples can reinforce and personalize the ideas
you are presenting. Make examples detailed and
vivid, and practice your delivery to maximize
impact
7. Statistics
• Often cited to clarify or strengthen a speaker's
points.
• Can show the magnitude or seriousness of an
issue.
• Statistics can be easily manipulated and
distorted.
• Make sure you are using good research. Are the
stats representative? Are they from a reliable
source? How did the source come up with their
data?
8. Tips for using
statistics
• Use stats to quantify your ideas (give numerical precision)
• Use stats sparingly. Overusing numerical data won't
resonate with listeners. Use stats to make your point.
• Always identify then source of your stats. No source = no
credibility
• Explain what the stats mean. Don't expect the audience to
draw their own conclusions.
• Charts can visually clarify statistical trends and comparisons
9. Testimony
• Quotes or paraphrases to support a point
• Expert testimony: when the source is a
credible, recognized expert in their chosen
field
• Peer testimony: testimony from ordinary
people with firsthand experience, or insight on
a topic
10. Testimony
• Quoting: testimony presented word for word
• Paraphrase: summarizing a source's
remarks
• Be sure to quote or paraphrase accurately,
only use testimony from qualified, unbiased
sources, and always identify the people you
quote/paraphrase.
11. Citing sources orally
• Careful listeners are skeptical, they will want
to know the source of your information
• No standard format/wording
• They key is to tell your audience enough
information so they think your research is
credible. Examples: page 160.
