396 Part 4 Public Speaking
- Sleep deprivation decreases workplace productivity, at a cost
of more than $3,000 per employee annually, as noted by
Patrick Skerritt in the Harvard Business Review.
- Sleep deprivation is a leading cause of automobile acci-
dents, especially among adolescent motorists, according to a
February 15, 2010, report by the American Academy of
Sleep Medicine. •
B. Dr. Michael J. Breus, “The Sleep Doctor” of WebMD, also
notes that sleep deprivation causes relational stress.
- In my own life, I certainly find that I argue more with
friends and family when I’m exhausted than I do when I’m
well rested. •
- The results of the survey I conducted indicate that 55 percent
of the members of this class find that “arguing with a loved
one” is a problematic outcome of not getting enough sleep.
C. Dr. Arkeenah Jones notes that sleep deprivation affects memory
and cognitive ability.
- In fact, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study
noted that 23.2 percent of sleep-deprived individuals report
difficulties with concentration. Similarly, 18.2 percent re-
port difficulty remembering information.
- Dr. Pamela Thatcher, a psychology professor at St. Lawrence
University, conducted a study in which she discovered that
students who pull all-night study sessions typically have
lower GPAs than those who do not.
D. Sleep deprivation can contribute to chronic health conditions,
including depression, obesity, and diabetes, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Transition: So far, we’ve discussed the common causes of sleep depriva-
tion as well as their negative—and potentially tragic—effects. At this
point you may be wondering how to avoid sleep deprivation altogether.
I will discuss several suggestions now. •
IV. You can avoid sleep deprivation with a few simple changes to your
daily routine.
A. Make sleeping a priority in your life, along with your other
commitments.
B. Have consistent sleep and wake-up times, even on weekends.
C. Don’t watch television, play on your laptop, or even study in
bed. Try to reserve your bed for sleeping.
D. Don’t drink alcohol or consume caffeine too close to bedtime.
Transition: Regulating your schedule and developing good habits are
essential for preventing sleep deprivation.
- The speaker continually uses
oral citations to give credit to
her sources.
- The speaker builds credibility
by noting that she too is prone to
the effects of sleep deprivation.
- The speaker transitions to
her final main point with an
internal summary and an
internal preview.
