anyone want to give some input? like, additional things i can cover? this is nearly enough for 5 minutes.

Topic: becoming an informed voter

1.intro
a. coke versus dr pepper
b. carter?
- this paragraph will intoduce the speech. i will grab the audiences attention by offering them a drink from 2 different "unopened" 12-packs - one of these 12 packs will have pepsi one in it, even though it is Coke, the other (sprite, or dr pepper) will have the actual product in it. im undecided as to whether or not to reveal this "campaign promise" or "lie" to them in the introduction or to wait until the conclusion. an option to include Carter (treasonous idiot that he is) will emphasize the need for doing background research from a historical example without alienating any members of the audience (none of them are old enough to have voted for carter).

2.background research
a. books?
b. Voting records?
- this paragraph will emphasize the various routes one can take in doing background research. voting records of senators are public and there are always a plethora of books about people running for president. ideally, one should look into at least one book pro-candidate and one book anti-candidate. voting records will tell you where someone stands on certain issues, but one needs to be aware that not every bill is clear-cut. bills have multiple parts which can be almost completely unrelated.

3.issues
a. platform position
b. your own position
- this paragraph will emphasize the need to acquaint yourself with the issues that the parties have decided will be important and the need to find out where the party stands on the issue -- not where they say the opposing party stands. then research the issue (even if only a little by talking to people) to find out where you stand

4.paragraph 3
a.
- this paragraph is obviously nebulous.

5.distractions
a. smokescreens
i. morality
ii. mud-slinging
iii. voting records
iv. "statistics"
- this paragraph will cover the popular methods of confusing the issue and the importance of recognising them as such, and possibly what they mean about the candidate using the smokescreens

6.conclusion
a. knowledge is the basis of sincere opposition
- obviously this paragraph will sum up the speech. im leaning toward revealing my "campaign promise" about the drinks here, sort of as a finishing touch.


obviously id like to add a paragraph, and itd be nice to have more opportunities for background research and issues. any input is appreciated. and i chose carter because ive already done quite abit of research on him.