Arts and Humanities Courses

Arts and Humanities courses include: 
- Foreign Language    
- Music
- Art History                  
- Religion
- Philosophy            
- Theater
- English                  
- History

In these courses you are often required to do speaking assignments that require you to interpret the meaning of a particular idea, event, person, story or artifact.
(Examples)Your English teacher may ask you to interpret the meaning of a poem. An art history teacher may  ask you to explain the different styles and influences integrated into a famous painting or mural.
                
Types of Presentation Assignments in Arts and Humanities Courses

1. Informative Speeches of Description and Analysis

Explain the relevancy of an historical or contemporary person or event; or a piece of art, literature or music.
(Example) A History professor may ask you to identify the affects of WWII on the countries that were involved.
It's important to use visual aids that are relevant to the topic.

2. Presentations That Compare and Contrast
 
Compare and contrast presentations highlight the similarities and differences of  the topic at hand. Presentations may be informative or persuasive.
Example: Compare old school music to modern day music, or comparing two works of art.
   
Compare and Contrast Presentations must include:

• Thesis statement - shows the connection between the topics being compared and contrasted

• Discussion of main points - provide examples that highlight the similarities and differences

• Conclusion - evaluative statement about the comparison 

3. Debates

Example: In history class, students might argue whether 16th century women in Western Europe experienced a renaissance.

• The speaker must present their view of the topic with a brief assertion.Then the opposing speaker responds with a position of their view of the topic.
• Prepare a well composed argument with strong supporting evidence

Effective Arts and Humanities Presentations
Presentations that offer your own interpretation of the topic and that gives the audience a new way of thinking is most effective. 

Rather than reiterating on what's already been said by others or what's already known, give the audience a new way of viewing the topic.

The types of speaking done in the arts and humanities often ask for an interpretation. The more original the interpretation(while remaining relevant and supported by evidence) the more compelling the presentation will be for the audience.

For more information on these types of presentation you can click on the links below:
http://www.presentationmagazine.com/compare-contrast-178.htm

Here is a presentation to help you with a debate:
http://www.slideshare.net/letraessencia/presentation-on-debate