Page by Charles Gillis, Librarian, 08/25/04
Throughout the semester, you will have the opportunity to research, compose, and deliver various types of speeches. This guide can help you find resources with information you can incorporate into your speeches.
Much of the information helpful for researching background materials for speeches is available in some of the 100+ electronic databases available through the Lone Star College-Kingwood Library:
Your off-campus password for access to these resources is the 14 digit number from your library card bar code. [ Hint: When prompted, type in all 14 digits with no spaces between the numbers.]
In addition, this guide lists internet sources to view examples of different types of speeches and internet and book resources to to help you choose a topic or research the subject of your speech.
Demonstration ~ Tribute ~ Current Event
Find instructions on how to do (just about) everything at How Stuff Works and ehow.com.
Tutorials.com provides free step-by-step instruction, including how to floss your teeth, change a diaper, how to fry an egg, and much more.
Sample student speeches at http://www.uttyler.edu/meidenmuller. Click on “Speech Fundamentals” under “Courses” for videos. There are links to four sample demonstration speeches under “Student Speech Videos” near the bottom of the right column. There are also additional types of sample speeches at this site, as well as other helpful information for speech students.
The internet sites are probably your best bet for ideas for a demonstration speech, but if you like science, you might also get some ideas from these books in the Lone Star College-Kingwood Library:
Q164 .F38 1991
175 More Science Experiments to amuse and amaze your friends.
This book has demonstrations such as how to get electricity from a lemon, how magnets work, and how to make a compass.
REF Q182.3 .S33 2000
Science Experiments on File.
How to build a sun clock, etc.
T47 .L2923 2004
Samek, Andy Christie, and Bryan Christie.
The new how things work: everyday technology explained.
Biography Reference Bank – Use this database to search well-known people from antiquity until the present. You can limit by date, by profession or activity, place of origin, and gender. The profession or activity limit includes blind, deaf, and handicapped among the available categories.
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia - another helpful e-Reference book.
Try other e-Reference sources listed on our Subject Guide to Databases.
The Biography Channel – search for biographical information on 25,000 individuals.
For ideas about possible current event topics, look at Opposing Viewpoints.
See other databases that recommended for researching current topics on our Subject Guide to Databases. This list includes:
Academic Search Complete – Search for articles about current events. Use the date limiter to limit your search to articles published within the last 2 years. Check the “Full Text” box to get only complete articles.
[ Note: You may also try the “ Visual Search” option. Click the tab near the top of the screen. After you have done your search, left click the bar beside “Published After” and slide it to the date. Click the “Full Text” box.]
ProQuest Research Library – similar to Academic Search Complete, but does not have Visual Search.
Citing Sources Using the Library MLA Style Guide | Lone Star College-Kingwood Library guide. Examples of both paper and electronic citations.
Learning Center | Check our hours for tutoring services.