Platypus Speech Outline PDF

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Smith 1 Troy Smith October 3, 2020 Speech 1315.110

The Duck-Billed Platypus Specific Purpose: To inform my audience on why the Platypus is the most unusual living creature. Central Idea: The Platypus is genuinely a unique oddity of nature. It has the body and fur of an otter, the mouth of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and lays eggs to reproduce its young.

INTRODUCTION I. (Attention-Getting Device.) Imagine visiting the local lake or river and seeing a duckbill break the water's surface only to be followed by an otter's body with a beaver's tail. That is a Platypus. II. (Reveal the topic and its importance) The Platypus has a duck's mouth, a beaver's tail, and the fur and body of an otter. The males have a venomous rear claw it uses for defense and when competing for mates. The first scientists to examine a specimen believed they were the victims of a hoax and dissected the beak from the head looking for stitches, thinking that someone had sewn it on.

III. (Establish Credibility) Geneticist Richard Wilson of Washington University in St. Louis and his colleagues report that they have identified platypus genes that make hard-shelled eggs — much like the genes of birds.

Smith 2 IV. (Central Idea or Thesis) The Platypus is a mammal that is an unusual assortment of different animals. It has the body and fur of an otter, a ducks bill, the tail of a beaver, and lays eggs to reproduce it’s young.

Connective: I will first talk about the platypus natural surroundings. Then I will tell about the life and reproductive traits of the Platypus. Body I. I will tell the audience where the Platypus lives. A. The Platypus is a mammal found only in Australia. 1. They are found throughout the eastern coast of Australia. 2. The Platypus lives near freshwater streams and rivers. 3. The male Platypus has a venomous rear claw. B. I will talk about the Platypus diet and eating habits. 1. The Platypus is carnivorous. 2. Their diet is worms, shellfish, and insects. 3. The Platypus has no teeth and uses small bits of gravel to grind food up. C. I will talk about the reproductive habit of the Platypus. 1. They are one of only two mammals that lay eggs. 2. The mother lays eggs in a burrow. 3. The young stay in the burrow several months before leaving. II. The conservation status. A. Scientists have estimated the platypus population between 30,000 and 300,000. 1. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists it as “Least Concern”.

Smith 3 2. Conservation groups are pushing to list it as an endangered animal.

Conclusion I. (Signal Ending) As you can see, the Platypus is a very unusual mixture of modern-day animals. II. (Summarize Main Points and Central Idea) The Platypus is truly a unique animal only found in Australia. It has the body and fur of an otter, the mouth of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and lays eggs to reproduce its young. The Platypus population is on the decline, and with the help of conservation groups, it can recover.

Smith 4

Bibliography

Palca, Joe. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90228565. 7th May 2008. Document. 23 09 2020. slux4xrds. https://theduckbilledplatypus.wordpress.com/author/slux4xrds/. 16 March 2020. web article. 2 October 2020. Society, National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/p/platypus/. 1996-2015. Document. 23 09 2020. Sydenham, Shirley. & Thomas, Ron. www.kidcyber.com.au/platypus. 2020. Article. 23 09 2020...