Preparing a Speech
Recommended Steps
Steps – Speech Preparation
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Analyze audience and occasion
Select topic; narrow topic
Write purpose statement (tentative)
Do basic research, then pick main points
Do focused, in-depth research
Refine purpose statement, if necessary
Prepare body of speech – main points, sub pts.
Supports – examples, stories, facts & figures
Prepare visual aids (Powerpoint, demonstrations, etc.)
Prepare introduction & conclusion
Select and refine title
Practice
Step 1 -Analyze Audience and
occasion
Think about your audience
demographics
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what they already know
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attitudes, beliefs, values
Understand the occasion
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why this audience, at this time?
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what will success look like?
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Step 2 – Select & narrow topic
Topic that will hold audience interest
 Topic that has abundance of supports
 Suitable for the occasion
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Can it be discussed in depth?
 Can it meet time limit?
 Is enough information available?
 Is it too broad?
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Step 3 – Purpose
Specific Purpose: Objective of speech
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What do you want the audience to know?
What do you want them to take away?
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Find ways to keep audience interest
Step 4: Main Points
Go to web, library and explore topic
 Tentative list of main points
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(2 – 4 main points for normal speech)
Used as guideline to start
May refine/revise after research
Step 5: Research
Gather information
 Library
 Internet
 Interviews
Use: facts, descriptions, examples,
statistics, illustrations, stories, quotes
Step 6: Refine Purpose
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Aim for precision and clarity
One sentence - central idea
summarizing your objective:
“Today I’ll explain the three steps to building a
thermonuclear bomb.”
Step 7: Body of Speech
Determine main points
 Determine organizational pattern
sequential
spatial
topical
cause & effect
problem-solution
 Sub-Points; Sub-sub points
 Transitions
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Step 8: Supports
Look for more supports
 Lots of examples, stories, visuals,
handouts, artifacts, etc.
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– Remember: audiences love to listen to stories
about people and events.
Step 9: Visual Aids
Required for all presentations in Com
1545
 Should highlight specific points
 Should not cover entire speech
 Should mix graphics with key words
 Should not contain sentences
 Insert blank slides to switch
attention back to you ?
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Step 10: Introduction &
Conclusion
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Introduction:
gain attention
establish credibility
relate speech to listeners
preview topic & main ideas
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Conclusion:
summarize main idea(s)
relate message to listeners
meaningful closure
Step 11 – Pick a Title
The title should excite curiosity – it’s a
tease
 The title should foreshadow your message
 The title should be memorable
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Step 12: Practice
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Start with a rough topical outline
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Then move to a formal sentence outline
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Move to brief speaking notes
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Practice with visual aids
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Practice in front of friend/family