Making preparations Read the memo below. Use your common sense or knowledge to complete it. Memo To: Staff From: HRD Date: Nov. 23, 2015 Subject: Preparing for a speech The most important thing to know about a speech is its purpose. Before you do any other preparation, figure out exactly the purpose of your speech. Are you going to persuade, entertain, build excitement, or achieve another purpose? Once you know the purpose of your speech, you can take the next steps to prepare. 1. Choose a key theme, if possible. Keep your speech as focused as possible. Referring back to a key theme will help keep your speech unified. To help you find your theme or goal, try to write one clear 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. sentence that can sum up the point of your speech. Analyze your audience. Tailor your speech to their level of knowledge and understanding. Know your time limit. Design your speech to fit the amount of time you have. Practice your speech to be sure it fits the allotted time. Do your research. Make sure the information you present is correct and significant. Tell stories. Personal stories can draw listeners in. Quotes can also be a good way to add personal interest and humor to a speech. Make an outline and write your speech out. Don’t worry if you write several versions. Make sure you know the outline of your speech by heart even if you haven’t memorized every word. 7. Use your voice and your hands. Listening to a monotone speech is boring. Use your voice to create excitement by pausing and rising or falling in pitch as appropriate. Use your hands for emphasis. 8. Practice, practice, practice! Practice your speech, using gestures and vocal changes. If you are using visual ads, make sure you do at least one practice with them as well. Sample sentences (jot down at least 2) Function Sample sentences Asking about preparations for a presentation or speech 1. Are you ready for the presentation? 2. Are you getting nervous, or is this easy for you at this point? 3. Are you all set up for this speech? 4. Have you done a trial run yet? 5. Are you going to use index cards or will they have teleprompter? 6. Can I bounce a few ideas off of you? Talking about a speech or presentation 1. I’m a little nervous, but I know I work hard on this, once I go over it one more time I’ll be fine 2. I just have to try not to get stage fright 3. I hate public speaking, but I’ve got use to it I still get awful butterflies in my stomach though. 4. I want us to go perfectly I’m pretty sure I’ve dotted all the is and cross all the ts. (well prepare) Talking about visual aids for a 11. I think I going to use slides. 12. Is the projector set up? Where is the projection screen? speech 13. I’m going to use a flip chart I think. Make a presentation like Steve Jobs Go online and search for presentation appliances. Make a list. 1. Projection screen 2. Projector 3. Microphone 4. USB 5. Whiteboard 6. Marker 7. Computer 8. Remote 9. Suit 10. File folder 11. Internet 12. Laser pointer