How to get along with your roommate informative speech

Informative Speech Outline

Dalal Almaiweed

Comm 101

October 26, 2016

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform my Communication class about the differences between male and female communication.

Organizational Pattern: Topic

Introduction

I. Attention Getting Device (Must be a narrative, a startling statement, a rhetorical question, or a quotation): They can be your best friend or your worst enemy. They can respect your space or they can go digging through your closet. They can make your bed when you’re running late or they can pile their dirty dishes on your clean laundry. Have you ever met this person? It’s someone, who at one time or another, many of us have had to deal with – a roommate!

II. Audience Adaptation (Give audience a reason to listen): Most of us in here will have to room with someone at some point. Learning how to live with someone is not only important for college life, but future relationships too, including marriage.

III. Credibility Statement (State why you are an expert in this subject/establish credibility so that you seem like a legitimate speaker on your topic): I have been in college for three years and have lived with at least six different roommates, so I have a good understanding of how to deal with living with others. I’ve also done extensive research on this topic to aid in my knowledge of how to become a better communicator.

IV. Thesis/Transitional Preview (This is a central idea of your speech including a preview of your main points in the order you are going to share them in your speech): Today, I am going to identify three specific ways to keep the peace while living with a roommate: First, don’t lie . Second, don’t make assumptions . Third, remember that each roommate should have an equal voice and equal power in the relationship.

Transition (Introduce first main point here before going into body of speech): The first way to make living with someone better is to remember not to lie .

Body

I. Lying can cause several problems while living with a roommate.

A. According to the September 2008 issue of Seventeen Magazine, there are three common lies that roommates tell each other (Barry 123).

1. The first lie roommates tell is “I’m not uptight about neatness.”

a. If you’re a slob, admit it and keep your mess to your space.

b. If you’re a neat freak, try to understand the other person isn’t like you.

2. The second common lie is “I don’t care if you have friends sleep over.”

a. It’s best to set rules about what nights members of the opposite sex may spend the night.

b. You should set rules about how much prior notice the other person gets if

they need to find another place to sleep (Barry 123).

3. The third most common lie roommates tend to tell is “We’re best friends.”

a. Don’t feel like you have to invite your roommate to tag along wherever you go.

b. It takes a while to become friends, so take your time in developing a friendship (Barry 124).

B. Usually lying to your roommate creates problems for both of you. Your roommate will feel betrayed if you lie to them and they may be inclined not to trust you again.

1. Lying creates an emotional backlash. In the end, you may feel worse (Barry 124).

Transition (Must use transitions to link thoughts together – you need to “review” your last point and “preview” your next point): Lying is not the only way to communicate badly with a roommate. Making assumptions about the person you’re sharing your living space with can cause just as many problems.

II. Remembering not making assumptions about your roommate will make living together much easier.

A. You should always ask before using something that belongs to your roommate.

1. For example, one of the major problems my old roommate and I had was assuming we could always use each other’s things.

a. I thought I could borrow his X-Box one weekend while he was gone.

b. He assumed he could use my laptop anytime he wanted.

2. Another example occurred when we first moved in.

a. My roommate assumed that since my sound system took up the whole top of the bookcase, he could take the whole top of the dresser.

b. I assumed that since he chose the bedroom he wanted I had first dibs on the large walk-in closet (personal experience).

B. The author of “Crowd Control” tells us that if you’re ever unsure about something, wait until your roommate gets home and ask them in person!

Transition (Must use transitions to link thoughts together – you need to “review” your last point and “preview” your next point): Lying and making assumptions can cause problems, but you can create a positive atmosphere in your living space by remembering a third tip – each roommate is equal .

III. The June 26, 2009 issue of the LA Times states that the best way to get along with a roommate is to create a place where equality rules (“Crowd Control” E4).

A. Each roommate should have an equal say in all matters.

B. Each roommate has an equal right to voice his/her opinions.

Transition (Must use transitions to link thoughts together – you need to “review” your last point and “preview” your next point): These three basic tips have been proven effective when it comes to making ‘living with a roommate’ easier and more pleasant.

Conclusion

I. Transitional Summary (review main points): Never lying , never making assumptions , and remembering everyone is equal are three essential rules for living with anyone.

II. Concluding Device: (Closing statement/final thought) Someone once said that the quickest way to make an enemy is to live with them. Perhaps they could have benefited from this speech. By remembering these three important suggestions I’ve shared with you, you’ll be able to make living with your college roommate, or someone in the future such as a spouse, an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Works Cited

Barry, Rebecca. “Welcome to Roommate Hell.” Seventeen, Sept. 2008, pp. 123–129.

“Crowd Control.” Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2009, pp. E3–E4.

***Keep in mind you need FIVE sources – 3 different types***

Must use AT LEAST one credible source within each main point of body