i have to give an informative speech on friday. last speech was on diamonds [how theyre rated, what makes a "good" diamond" etc], and this speech has to be both informative and "entertaining", with a visual aid.

so im thinking i will give a speech on changing a tire. most people dont seem to know how to do it, so its a good topic [in my opinion, of course].

visual aids will be pictures of my car. two pictures. one for the intro, one for jack points and proper bolt pattern. the second one i got laminated so that i can use dry-erase markers on it.

anything you guys think i should be sure to include? or change?

rough outline:

I. intro
A. picture of car - "sometimes needs help"
B. AAA, Tow, versus do-it-yourself

II. tools
A. spare tire
1. location of spare tire
B. tire iron
1. location of tire iron
C. scissor jack versus jack / jack stand [preferably not scissor, but will do for changing tire]
D. common sense

III. taking tire off
A. jack up car [visual aid]
B. remove flat tire
1. proper bolt pattern
a. consequences of improper bolt pattern
C. move tire away

IV. putting tire on
A. tighten lugs
1. proper bolt pattern
2. no need to be incredibly tight yet
B. lower car [slowly]
C. tighten lugs
1. proper bolt pattern
2. tight lugs = not having your wheel fall off

V. conclusion
A. no need to use cell phone - takes about 15 seconds if you work for nascar[/list]
EDIT: i should mention, the professor and at least one other guy in the class consider themselves "car guys" - theyre going to be very critical of any mistake i make.

I did a speech on the same thing last semester, my outline was similar. I also included the most common locations to find your jack and other tire changing tools, such as in the trunk, or under the hood etc. I also mentioned that its good to know where the tools are and how to use them long before you ever have to use them, and suggested that maybe if they dont know how to use them to take an afternoon and get to know the tools a little bit haha.

I found a couple good little instructional things that I got some ideas from just by googling for how to change a spare tire or something like that.

Throw some personality in there to keep them interested and make em laugh a little, I remember one thing I said that was in reference to making sure the jack was secure, I said "if the car falls, it can cause serious injury or death, damage the car, or if nothing else, cause a sudden bowel movement"...they seemed to like that one.

You using powerpoint or just talk about it?

I think if you can, that you should use a Powerpoint because that'* very entertaining for me. It also dresses your presentation up quite a bit.

It looks good, try not to present in an obvious way, like everyone should know how to change a tire. Present it like you've discovered something and want to share.

ps you could wear a Pink Tutu to spice things up a bit :P

so far ive made them laugh every time ive gotten up [with me, not at me], so personality is going to be a big focus for me. i mean, the class is largely female. its going to be kind of hard not to lose them the second i mention a tire [dont flame, its true and you know it]

powerpoint is not allowed. he wants the focus to be on us, not on a big white screen.

i like that quote. mind if i steal it?

thank you everyone whos responded so far. and original post edited.

intro image:

visual aid:

Your car is beautiful, but I think a better visual aid would be some pictures of different jacks or even a real jack. Most of your classmates know what a car looks like, but some of those cheerleaders may have never seen a jack. (flame on!)

bring your jack in! ... along with your manual showing the page where it shows to jack from

i did a demonstration speech of installing a hard drive into a comptuer... plopped my entire case right up on the stand...

agreed

visual is always good

Bring the doughnut spare in too! They might as well see what is hiding under the carpet in the trunk...a spot few have ventured into.

You might want to add that it needs to be checked every so often to make sure it actually has air in it...not much good if it is not round, rubbery, and capable of rolling.

haha ok, if we are getting to the point of bringing the donut in... is there a chance you can just take the entire class outside to your car? would be a great field trip!