Public Speaking

The Task:

In this speech you must choose between dropping the bomb or invading Japan. 

You must take into account the consequences of each choice: potentially loosing a million Americans in an invasion or killing hundreds of thousands of civilians with the most destructive weapon known to man, in addition to other consequences like success or failure. 

You must back your choice with solid, logical, arguments.  Address the issue of objections to the use of the A-Bomb: is it unpatriotic to object, the right of Governments to use people (civilians) as a means to an end without their permission, etc.  And explain what this new age of nuclear weapons will mean for the world.

The Process:

The speech must be at least 2 minutes long
You are required to type a bibliography page citing your sources in APA format using Noodlebib

To complete the assignment conduct research on:

• Truman's decision; his all-important choice
• The Manhattan Project (the men behind it and their personal feelings about the Bomb)
• The devastation in Japan: the effects of the Bomb
  American reactions to its use

The Evaluation:

You will be graded based on the following criteria:

• Presentation (25%) – Your speech is done in a professional and engaging manner. 
  Posture, fluency, and use of appropriate vocabulary (no slang). 
  Emphasis on points by using different tones of voice (argue your points with
  passion and vigor)
• Historical Accuracy (50%) – All information comes from reliable sources: books,
  Journal articles, education websites (.edu)  All facts presented can be verified (no conjecture or guesswork)
• Coherency of Logic and Argumentation (25%) – Support your argument with facts and opinions of historians (but be sure to develop your own, I want your voice in this piece, not somebody else’s).  Avoid non sequitors (things that don’t follow from the premise, i.e. Mr. Waugh’s rich so he must like fancy sports cars).  Make sure it makes sense.