320 INTRODUCTORY SPEECHES FOR ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Pot, Soil, Water
Final Version
1 Those of you with a green thumb know that a healthy houseplant like this one needs a
number of things to grow, including a good pot, rich soil, and adequate water. The pot is the
plant’s home, the comforting place where it grows up. The soil gives the plant nutrients and helps
its roots expand. Water is the basis of all life and allows the plant to thrive. Like this plant and the
pot, soil, and water it requires to grow, you can get a sense of my growth by looking at my family,
my friends, and my interests.
3 The soil represents my friends, who have supported me as I branched out into new expe-
riences. Here on campus, my three best friends have helped me adjust to college by showing me
around, by introducing me to new people, and by helping me with my assignments. They encour-
age me to follow my dreams and are always willing to offer advice. As the nutrients from the soil
feed the plant, my friends have helped me grow and develop.
4 The water represents my interests. Without water, this plant would turn brown and dull,
but with water, the plant is bright and full of life. Like water for this plant, my interests help me
POT, SOIL, WATER: FINAL VERSION 321
Pot, Soil, Water
Final Version
Commentary
The final version of “Pot, Soil, Water” provides an excellent vehicle for helping students understand the
elements of a speech of self–introduction. Unlike the needs improvement version, the final version is
clearly organized and creatively developed. A video of the speech is available online and on the DVD of
student speeches that accompanies this edition of The Art of Public Speaking. Below is a synopsis.
Specific Purpose: To introduce myself to the audience by explaining how a common houseplant rep-
expect as the speech unfolds.
Body: The body consists of paragraphs 2–4. Each paragraph utilizes a different part of the houseplant
to reveal a different aspect of the speaker’s life. In paragraph 2, the speaker uses the pot to dis-
cuss the importance of her family. In paragraph 3, she uses the soil to discuss how her friends
have helped her grow as a human being. In paragraph 4, she uses the water needed for a