Informative Speech on Als
Informative Speech on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) OBJECTIVES:
General Purpose: To inform the audience about ALS
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the diagnosis and progression of ALS
Central Idea: The symptoms and effects of this disease on the individual and family
Organizational Pattern: The progression of ALS from diagnosis to death
INTRODUCTION I. Take a moment, and point at the computer screen. Notice that your index finger is extended and your other fingers are curled into your palm. How did your hand know to do that? It all began in your brain, the starting point for an important chain of communication. Your brain ordered nerve cells, to activate muscles in your hand and fingers. In this instance, your muscles responded, and your fingers moved. In a person afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), there is a break in the chain of communication. The motor neurons degenerate and die. Because of the lack of motor neurons, the brain cannot communicate with the muscles, and voluntary muscle movement is no longer possible. Because the muscles are no longer used, they too begin to degenerate and weaken causing a wide range of disabilities. II. ALS is a neurological disease that attacks ones muscles, approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS each year. III. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s, has claimed an estimated 790,000 lives since the disease was discovered. IV. The symptoms of the disease are obvious and painful as the disease progresses quickly throughout its victim’s body.
BODY I. Early stages of disease A. Mild symptoms, such as; muscles may be weak and soft or stiff, tight and spastic B. Muscle cramping and twitching occurs, as does loss of muscle bulk. C. Symptoms may be limited to a single body region or mild symptoms may affect more than one region.
II. Detecting symptoms and testing A. Once symptoms are
General Purpose: To inform the audience about ALS
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the diagnosis and progression of ALS
Central Idea: The symptoms and effects of this disease on the individual and family
Organizational Pattern: The progression of ALS from diagnosis to death
INTRODUCTION I. Take a moment, and point at the computer screen. Notice that your index finger is extended and your other fingers are curled into your palm. How did your hand know to do that? It all began in your brain, the starting point for an important chain of communication. Your brain ordered nerve cells, to activate muscles in your hand and fingers. In this instance, your muscles responded, and your fingers moved. In a person afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), there is a break in the chain of communication. The motor neurons degenerate and die. Because of the lack of motor neurons, the brain cannot communicate with the muscles, and voluntary muscle movement is no longer possible. Because the muscles are no longer used, they too begin to degenerate and weaken causing a wide range of disabilities. II. ALS is a neurological disease that attacks ones muscles, approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS each year. III. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s, has claimed an estimated 790,000 lives since the disease was discovered. IV. The symptoms of the disease are obvious and painful as the disease progresses quickly throughout its victim’s body.
BODY I. Early stages of disease A. Mild symptoms, such as; muscles may be weak and soft or stiff, tight and spastic B. Muscle cramping and twitching occurs, as does loss of muscle bulk. C. Symptoms may be limited to a single body region or mild symptoms may affect more than one region.
II. Detecting symptoms and testing A. Once symptoms are