Venomous and Nonvenomous snakes of Mississippi
To inform
To inform my audience about the venomous and nonvenomous snakes of Mississippi.
After listening to my speech, my audience will know characteristics of venomous snakes, the characteristics of nonvenomous snakes, and the main differences between them.
I. Introduction
A. How many of you have seen a snake? Wait for show of hands: most everyone, as I figured.

B. Today I will inform my audience about venomous and nonvenomous snakes.

C. People should know the difference between venomous and nonvenomous snakes because it could save their life.

D. I have been out in the outdoors all of my life and have spent a long time looking at all different kinds animals.

II. Body
A. Venomous snakes have very distinct characteristics.
1. According to Ledon Seja of the pawnation website, there are 6 species of venomous snakes in Mississippi: The Canebrake rattlesnake, the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, the pigmy Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth, the Copperhead, and the Eastern Coral Snake.
2. A venomous snake has a triangular head.
3. A venomous snake has vertical slit pupil eyes.
4. There is one exception to those rules and that is the Eastern Coral Snake; which has a rounded head and rounded pupils.
5. A venomous snake kills its prey using toxins in its venom.
Transition: Now lets move on to the nonvenomous snakes

B. Nonvenomous snakes look similar but very different that venomous snakes.
1. According to the phsource website, there are 34 species of nonvenomous snakes that call Mississippi home.
2. A nonvenomous snake has a rounded head.
3. A nonvenomous snake has a