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Example of an Speech Outline for an Information-Object Speech

GENERAL PURPOSE: To inform.

SPECIFIC PURPOSE: To inform my audience of three major characteristics of the coins currently minted in the United States.

CENTRAL IDEA STATEMENT: The Portrait, Date and Mint Marks are the three major characteristics of coins minted in the United States.

1. It is your turn to present your speech to the class. You have spent countless hours, studying, doing research, gathering data, and rehearsing your presentation. You feel very confident and prepared. You stand in front of your audience and present a perfect Speech. Everyone commends you for a job well done and you feel proud of your accomplishment.
2. This is the same process utilized at the United States Mint to establish the design of the United States Coins. Countless hours are spent gathering data and research related to the portrait to be used, the position of the date and Mint Mark on each coin.
3. As a collector of United States Coins for over twenty years, I have learned the beauty, effort and enormous amount of hours put in the minting of each coin, regardless of their face value.
4. Today, I would like to share with you, the characteristics of the Portrait, date, and Mint Marks of the United States Coins.

1. In his book, United States Coins, Liebers (24) indicates that United States Coins currently in circulation depicts the portraits of five former presidents.
1. Abraham Lincoln (penney), Thomas Jefferson (nickel), George Washington (quarter), Franklin D. Roosevelt (dime), and John F. Kennedy (half dollar).
1. Are you aware that the portrait of Lincoln is the only one facing right? There is no real reason for this. It has been determined that the artist preferred the position of Lincoln facing right.
2. United States coins are minted to demonstrate a historical event, such as Kennedy’s assassination or Lincoln’s birthday. The US mint sends minting proposal to congress for approval. After congress approves the proposal, the designing stage takes place.

After a design is selected the mold for the coin is initiated.

(Transition: Now that the Portrait is selected, we can move to our next Characteristic, the selection and format of the date)

2. According to the United States Treasury, (FAQ about US Coins, 5), traditionally, all United States coins have been dated in the year of production
1. This policy, however, was interrupted in 1964, due to a shortage of coins in the United States.
2. Congress passed legislation allowing the U.S. Mint to continue using the 1964 date in 1965 and 1966.
3. In 1967, coins returned to their original date of minting.
4. A great deal of thought is also placed in the date stamped on the coins, the mint most determine the size, appearance and style. These characteristics play an important role in the looks of the final product.
5. Once the Mint determines the date style and format the mold is prepared for minting.

(Transition: Now that the mold is prepared we can move to our final step, the stamping of the Mint Mark.)

3. William T. Gibbs, author of Guide to Us Coins, (293), indicate that the use of Mint Marks on coins dates back to the days of the ancient Greece and Rome.
1. This practice was first established in the United States as a result of a congressional act in 1835.
2. These Mint Marks are the letter "P" for the Philadelphia Mint, the letter "S" for the San Francisco Mint and the letter "D" for the Denver mint.
3. Mint Marks are hand stamped into the mold. The Mint Mark is usually found on the reversed side of the coins. They are visible to the naked eye on coins of good condition.
4. Mint Marks are regarded as one of the most important characteristics for the majority of coin collectors.
5. The Mint Mark in certain cases will determine the value of the coin to a collector.

(Transition: Let’s review what we have covered today)

1. We discussed three characteristics of the United States coins. The Portrait, the date and the Mint Mark and how these characteristics play an important role in the minting process of our coins.

 

2. United States Coins, besides of being part of our currency, are also part of our memorable history.

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