Parts of a Speech
THE BODY
Purpose of the Body
The Body of your speech is the heart, the brain, even
the nerve center of the entire presentation. It is the
place where you exhibit—in an organized manner—
your powers of persuasion and reasoning. Audiences
need to be convinced. They need to be informed.
They need to be shown. After your audience hears
your introduction and knows your thesis, you need to
show or prove your point.
Organizational Patterns
 Once you have gathered all of your supporting
materials—details, research, personal ideas, etc—you
must figure out how you are going to organize all of
this information in the body of your speech.
 If you were to go on a road trip, there would be many
routes you could take to get where you want to go.
You would choose the route that best satisfies your
needs in terms of time, scenery, road conditions, and
points of interest. You will do the same when
choosing an organizational pattern for your speech.
Organizational Pattern #1
Chronological Pattern:
The chronological pattern of organization puts things in a
time sequence.
This is an excellent choice if you want your audience to see the
parts of your speech building into a complete picture from
beginning to end.
Example:
The Evolution of Batman as a Heroic Figure
1.
2.
3.
Initial comic book portrayal
1950’s and 1960’s TV show portrayal
1990’s movie portrayal
Organizational Pattern #2
Climactic Pattern:
In the climactic pattern, you organize your main points in
order of importance—it gives your speech dramatic impact
because it allows the speech to build in significance.
This is an excellent choice if you want to save your most
important point for last.
Example:
Types of Crime in America
1.
2.
3.
Shoplifting
White-collar crime
Violent crime
Organizational Pattern #3
Spatial Pattern:
The spatial pattern of organization divides up your topic on the
basis of space relationships.
This is an excellent choice if you want your audience to see how
the body of your speech fits together by the spatial layout
picture that you create for them.
Example:
Introducing the Modern School
1.
2.
3.
Library is the central hub
Classrooms radiate from the library
Offices are extensions
Organizational Pattern #4
Cause-Effect Pattern:
In the cause-effect pattern, you are saying to your listeners,
“because of that, this happened.”
This is an excellent choice if you are trying to show how one
area (the cause) leads directly to the other area (the effect).
Example:
Anorexia
1.
Causes
Media influence
2. Low self-esteem
1.
2.
Effects
Physical problems
2. Emotional problems
1.
Organizational Pattern #5
Problem-Solution Pattern:
In the problem-solution pattern, you are presenting a problem
and then providing ideas about how the problem can be solved.
This is an excellent choice if you are putting together a logical
speech that will show insightful analysis in areas that are easy for
your audience to follow.
Example:
There is a need to recycle
1. Problems
Lack of knowledge
2. Economics
1.
2.
Solutions
Education in schools and the media
2. Personal commitment
1.
Choosing an Organizational Pattern
 Different topics call for different
organizations.
 Combine your content with your
originality and choose wisely.
 Organize your speech so that your
audience enjoys the journey you are
taking them on.
Your next task….
 Continue your practice speech with your group.
 Decide on an organizational pattern
 Decide on details and supporting information for
each of your three main points.
 Write the body of your speech on your paper.
Parts of a Speech
THE CONCLUSION
The Conclusion
It has been said that if you want to deliver a good
speech to your audience, you should “tell ‘em what
you’re gonna tell ‘em, tell ‘em, and then tell ‘em what
you told ‘em.”
This statement is not only amusing, but also contains a
great deal of truth.
The lesson? After a solid introduction and body, you
need a conclusion to wrap up what you have said.
Parts of a Conclusion
1. An effective summary of the major points of the
speech and a re-statement of the thesis
2. A final clincher or final impression.
Sample Conclusion
#1 Over the past few minutes, you have seen how laughter can
make you a more productive and effective worker, a more
sensitive friend and family member, and even a healthier
person. I think that after hearing that laughter can actually
help us overcome serious illness and can help terminally ill
patients live two to four years longer we should all start to
smile. So, let’s establish and maintain a “laughing attitude.”
We can all do it—and it costs nothing. #2 Therefore, the
words that you heard at the beginning of this speech, “Let a
smile be your umbrella,” might be sound advice. Go ahead
and laugh! Hopefully, the world will laugh with you!
The Summary
 The summary is the first part of your conclusion.
 It should:
 Remind your audience of your major areas you covered in
your speech
 Possibly contain a particularly memorable or hard-hitting
detail. (But avoid being too repetitive!)
 Re-state your thesis
The Final Impression
 Just as it is important to make a good first impression,
it is important to final a solid final impression
 Your final statement ends your speech, clinches your
argument, and makes a memorable final impression.
 Things to think about with your final impression:



The same things that can be used as ‘attention-getters’ work
well here, too.
Think about ending in a way similar to the way you began.
Choose something that fits the mood of your speech, that
makes sense, and that brings so finality to your speech so
the audience knows you have finished.
Your next task….
 Write a conclusion (include both parts mentioned) to





your speech.
Read over your entire speech.
Have someone read the speech and time it!!
Everyone needs to take a turn ‘giving’ the speech to
your group.
Choose one person who would be willing to present
your speech to the class.
Help that person to prepare—give feedback! Think
about what makes a good speech! Practice!