Informative Speech Outline

Title: Why Grades Don’t Really Matter That Much After All
Name: Muhammad Muhsin bin Eshamuddin
General Purpose: To inform
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience on why grades don’t really matter.
Time: 15 minutes

I. Introduction

A. By caring too much about grades, most students are missing the point of
education.
B. I'm here to tell you that while getting good grades is vital, it isn't the most
important thing in your life.
C. A college education is often cited as a prerequisite for a “good job” out in “the real
world”
D. With this understanding of the importance of college, many students get wrapped
up in their grades, often taking them as value statements on their own self-worth.
E. Yes, your grades are important, but so is your happiness! College is full of so
many opportunities that have nothing to do with your GPA. Once you let go of
needing that 4.0, you can experience so many more amazing things.

II. Body
Topic Sentence: Why Grades Don’t Really Matter That Much

A. I maintain that grades really aren’t that important because I value education for
more than its spot on my résumé.
a. The reason I’m in college isn’t to get a good job later.
b. College is worth something much more important than some money later on.
c. Education is about better knowing yourself, better knowing the world around
you, and attempting to figure out your place in the world.
d. Education is about self-improvement, not about the number of zeros on the
end of a paycheck.
e. Bear in mind that money is not everything because money can’t buy you a
thing without the presence of education.

B. Employers will often require your university academic transcript so it is important

to do your best.
a. However, they also look at what you've been doing outside the world of
academia.
b. Extra-curricular activities such as much music and sports go a long way to
make you stand out, even if you do just participate in them for the fun of it.
 c. Companies want individuals who are well rounded.
d. Well rounder person offers more than just the ability to multi-task, most have
the dynamic ability to be a strong team player, can really see the bigger
picture and can often step into other roles – which makes them a huge
asset to one’s business.
e. Getting involved in things like internships, summer jobs, and clubs that relate
to the field you want to work in, is crucial in today’s society.
f. If you're too busy working on getting a 4.0 not putting down your textbook to
look for some experience, chances are you'll fall flat going up against other
possible job candidates.

C. Social skills are important than grades.

a. You could be the smartest person in the room and be a crappy person with
no social skills.
b. I know I’m not a robot and I know that I’m pretty smart, I also beat you 10
times out of 10 on having better social skills.
c. Surely the company will hire me because I can convince people for example
to invest on the company.
d. With great social skills, easily I can make many friends in a short period of
time. This will inevitably lead to more friends, and more people who are
going to be able to help out when classes (and life) get hard, so put down
the book and talk to people.
e. None of this is to say that it isn’t important to work hard in school or college,
which will often produce good grades, as working hard is part of improving
yourself in all the aspects not only just on your grades.

III. Conclusion

A. You may know of many people who didn't get good grades but still made it
big.
B. Grades aren't the common thread. Passion is.
C. Grades have their place. They’re a necessary part of education. What they
aren’t a necessary part of are self-esteem. They don’t really matter because
they don’t define us, what defines us is the changes education makes within
us.
D. Forget the grades, forget the jobs, and just try to become a better person,
enjoying the ridiculous luxury that education is.
E. Enjoy some sun. Come back in. Study for a bit. Focus on the things you're
passionate about. Grades are not the most important thing in your life.
References
D'cruz, A. (2014, November 5). Grades aren't the most important thing. Retrieved from Student
Edge: https://studentedge.org/article/grades-arent-the-most-important-thing

Safranski, J. (2016, September 12). 5 reasons your grades aren't everything. Retrieved from Odyssey:
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/three-reasons-grades-arent-everything

Schuhmacher, L. (2013, February 14). Why grades don't really matter. Retrieved from Huffpost:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-schuhmacher/why-grades-dont-really-
ma_b_2682922.html
F.