Making preparations
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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 them or goal, try to write one clear
sentence that can some up the point of your speech.
2. Analyze your audience. Tailor your speech to their level of
knowledge and understanding.
3. 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.
4. Do your research. Make sure the information you present is correct
and significant.
5. Tell stories. Personal stories can draw listeners in. Quotes/question
can also be a good way to add personal interest and humor to a
speech.
6. 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 hand. 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 hand for emphasis.
8. Practice, practice, practice! Practice your speech, using gestures
and vocal changes. If you are using visual aids, make sure you do at
least one practice with them as well.
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Sample sentences (jot down at least 2)
Function
Sample sentences
Asking about
preparations
for a
presentation or
speech
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Are you ready for the presentation?
Is this easy for you at this point? /Are you getting nervous?
Are you all set up for the speech?
Have you done a trial run yet?
Are you going to use index card or they have a
teleprompter(提詞機)?
6. Can I bounce a few ideas off of you?
Talking about a
speech or
presentation
1. I’m 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 used to it. I still get
batter flies in my stomach through.
4. I want to go perfectly, I’m pretty sure I’ve dotted all the I’s
and cross all the t’s.
Talking about
visual aids for a
speech


1. I think I’m going to use slides.
2. Is the projector set up? Where is the projection screen?
3. I’m going to use a flip chart (掛圖) I think.
Make a presentation like Steve Jobs
Go online and search for presentation appliances. Make a list.
1. Microphone
2. White board
3. Flip chart
4. Projector/projection screen
5. Black board
6. Slideshow
7. Filmstrip
8. Screen controller
9. Computer
10. Teleprompter
11. Index card