Topic # 6102A
Melissa Moser

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Speeches are given to inform the audience, persuade the audience, or to integrate the members of an audience.
People also listen for the same reasons
Speaking skills increase a person’s effectiveness and influence the decision of others.
Speaking in public is an art form nearly as old as humanity itself.
Effective public speaking is INFLUENCE.
INFLUENCE IS LEADERSHIP!!

 As a speech is planned, consider the following:
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PURPOSE
AUDIENCE
OCCASION
 If you can empathize with the audience, you will be able to plan a better speech!

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Find out as much information as possible about the audience.
It will be helpful to know the following in advance:
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# in group
Ages
Interests
Formal or informal
Setting
Time frame
Room size
Place on program

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1.
Keep in mind the following 3 questions when analyzing your audience:
To whom am I speaking?
2.
What do I want them to know, believe, or do as a result of my speech?
3.
What is the most effective way of composing or presenting my speech to accomplish my aim?

1.
Choose a topic that interests you.
2.
Choose a topic in which you are knowledgeable or want to become knowledgeable.
3.
Choose a topic of interest to your audience.

 When searching for a topic for an FFA speech consider using these three general areas:
 Production Agriculture
 Agribusiness
 Agriscience

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List topics within each area that interest you.
Jot down words or phrases you know related to those topic areas.
Spend no more than two minutes on each topic area.
This process is called brainstorming.
 Example: Willie Nelson

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Benjamin Franklin once said:
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“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
Without solid material, your speech will fold like Franklin’s bag.
Start research by checking personal books and magazines.
Consult organizations and experts.
Do research in a library and use the librarian to help you search.

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If the subject is controversial, make sure to get expert opinions from both sides of the issue.
Speaker’s can find quotations to support their ideas in sources such as:
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Bartlett’s Familiar Quotes
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Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
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Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Granger’s Index to Poetry

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When gathering material, write each item of information on a note card with:
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Name of Source
Page #
Author
Use quotations and statistics when they are needed to make a point.

1.
2.
3.
To help you recognize the speech’s strengths and weaknesses.
To help you organize and develop your ideas.
To help you save time when writing the speech.

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Main Points are indicated by Roman
Numbers ( I, II, V, VI)
Major Subdivisions by capitol letters
(A, B)
Minor subheadings by Arabic numbers
(1,2)
Further subdivision by lower case letters (a,b,c,d,k,t,)

TITLE
I.
II.
III.
A.
B.
INTRODUCTION
BODY
1.
2.
1.
2.
First Main Point
Sub point #1 a.
b.
Sub point #2
Second Main Point
Sub point #1
Sub point #2
CONCLUSION

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Write the way you talk!
Write the Body of the Speech first.
Begin with the main points.
Arrange them in logical order or sequence.
Then write the Introduction.
Finally, write the conclusion

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“Words, are the garments with which speakers clothe their ideas.” (J. Regis
O’Connor)
Wise speakers choose their words carefully.
Choose effective language.
Refrain from using statements that defame other people or organizations.
(Ethical Issues)

 Do something to gain the audiences attention:
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Tell a joke
Pound the speaker’s stand
Make a loud noise
Ask a question
Tell a story
Use a quotation
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Use a personal reference
Create suspense
Give a compliment

 The introduction must grab the attention of the audience, but it must also focus on the goal of the speech.

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All’s Well that Ends Well - Shakespeare
The conclusion offers the speakers last opportunity to remind the audience of the speech content.
Summarize the main points.
Use a story.
Be humorous.
Appeal and
Make an emotional impact.

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Practice Time Limits
Practice Methods
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School Classes and Teachers
Home and Mirror
Auditorium
Civic Organizations
THE VIDEO CAMERA

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Your Smile
Gestures
Head and Eyes
Sincerity

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A good speech starts with good preparation.
Things to consider when giving speech:
 Salutation
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Being Deliberate
Using the Hands (Need to appear natural)
Using the Body (Do not sway, rock, fidget)
Humor
Dress and Physical Appearance
Where to stand
Notes
Special Considerations

 If you are asked questions afterwards, keep the following in mind:
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Be deliberate, take time to think through answer and then reply.
Be complete
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Answer with confidence
If you do not know the answer, say so without hesitation, do not bluff.
If you did not hear or did not understand the questions, ask the person to repeat or rephrase.

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Evaluate speeches and presentation after each time.
Evaluation allows for an analysis of where the speech went right and/or wrong.

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Keep the voice well modulated, use variety of pitch and tone.
Strive for correct pronunciation and enunciate clearly.
Cultivate a sincere interest in people.
Constantly strive to increased your vocabulary.
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Open the speech with a sentence that will secure the attention of the audience.
End the speech in a forceful manner.
Take appropriate pauses and don not allow yourself to run out of breath.
Maintain good posture while speaking .