cultural artifact informative speech outline

CULTURAL ARTIFACT INFORMATIVE SPEECH
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW: With this assignment students are asked to draw upon culture and develop an informative speech. Students are encouraged to think of “culture” in broad terms: that is, usually when people hear the word culture, their thoughts immediately go to things like “language,” “cultural ceremonies,” or perhaps culturally specific foods. These ideas are fine, and could be sources for topics: however, students are also invited to think of co-cultures to which they belong, or are at least aware of. The rhetorical theorist Richard Weaver loosely defined culture as being present when an outsider can witness a group of people reacting more or less the same way to a given event, idea or action. That is, a culture is defined not so much as “what the culture does” as it is “how a culture reacts to phenomenon.” Therefore, students are welcome to consider popular culture, organizational cultures, as well as ethnic cultures.
Types of topics: In the past, I have heard very diverse topics for this assignment, ranging from types of food or clothing that are particular to a culture, to the cell phone, to the Aztec Calendar, to the Statue of Liberty, to the Pyramids in Egypt, etc…There is practically an infinite amount of “cultural artifacts” from which to choose. The word “artifact” should not be confusing: and artifact can be thought of as something that partially defines a given culture; or, put another way, something that would teach others about a culture. Think of a time capsule: what would you bury for a 1,000 years to give people of the future an idea of what 21st century American culture is about? Items buried likely would qualify as “cultural artifacts.”

SAMPLE CULTURAL ARTIFACT INFORMATIVE OUTLINE.)
Name: Topic: Scottish Kilt
I. Introduction:
(Attention getter) When you think of a skirt, people usually think of women
wearing mini or maxi skirts. But did you know that there are many cultures
where men also wear skirts? I have always been interested in the Scottish kilt.
The colors, design and tradition has always fascinated me.
(Thesis) Today, I hope to teach you about the kilt as a cultural artifact of Scotland.
(Preview) In order to understand the importance of the kilt, I will first explain its
significance, then what a kilt is and finally, how the kilt has influenced other cultures.
Transition: Before I get to the influence of the kilt on other cultures, I will first explain its cultural
significance.
II. Body
A. The cultural significance of the kilt is deep in tradition.
1. Kilts can be traced to Norse settlers.
2. It originated in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century.
3. The walking kilt or small kilt came in the late 17th century.
4. Kilts were used in sporting events and every day fashion.
Transition: Now that you have a basic understanding of its significance to the Scotts, let’s next
move to what exactly is a kilt.
B. Kilts are more than ‘just a skirt.’
1. Kilts have specific designs and constructions.
2. The fabric and setts used have specific meaning.
3. Kilts also come in different measurements.
4. Accessories are used to complete the kilt.
Transition: Now that you know what kilts are, next I will share with you how the Scottish kilt has
influences other cultures.
C. Kilts have influenced fashion and style to other cultures.
1. Kilts in Ireland can be traced to the Scottish Highlands.
2. Other Celtic nations also have a version of the kilt.
3. There has been a revival of kilts in contemporary times.
Transition: In conclusion,
III. Conclusion
A. Review: Today, I hope to have informed you about the kilt as an important cultural
artifact of Scotland. I covered its significance, what a kilt is and finally, the influence of
the kilt to other cultures.
B. Closing statement: I hope that I have opened your eyes to the importance of kilts and
that not only women wear skirts. Next time you see a kilt, you should be able to
identify where the kilt came from and maybe what individual clan or f

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