Object Speech (#2)
Delivery Techniques:
Okay, let’s review what techniques you’ve learned so far
1. Eye contact is essential! Remember to SCAN the room, and try to catch everyone’s eye at least once. Try
holding eye contact with an audience member for a couple of seconds when you are making an especially significant
point. (Remember, scanning effectively and so it looks natural takes a great deal of practice, practice, practice!)
2.
Projection is a must! If the audience can’t hear you, they will strain to hear you and get frustrated, possibly
missing the important points of your speech. If you shout at the audience, they will focus only on the fact that you’re
yelling, instead of on your message.
And now, let's see what you need to focus on next:
3.
Rate is vital! Speak too quickly and your audience won’t be able to follow your ideas and your words may actually
slur together. Speak too slowly and your audience will become bored. Strive to maintain a natural rhythm and flow of
speech. Use a faster or slower pace for effect only.
4.
Stalling Techniques: Avoid saying “UM,” “UH,” “AAAAAND,” “AH,” “ER” at all costs!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Always use an attention-grabbing introduction to engage your audience right away.
Make your thesis very clear for your audience by giving them a preview of what they should listen for.
Always put your ideas in the order you put them in your thesis/outline.
Use TRANSITIONS to move from one idea to the next. These should be used between topics and between sentences.
1.
2.
The key to a great speech is great research!
The key to great research is to ask yourself as many questions about your topic as you can think of BEFORE you actually
begin your research. Remember to consider both open and closed questions.
Doing the research is essential – answer as many of the questions you asked that you can. If your research brings up some
new points that you didn’t think of in your questions, great! Just add those points to your research.
Be sure to take specific notes – every specific detail will help make your speech that much livelier!
Content:
Be as specific as possible. Strive to include as many specific examples and illustrations as possible. Generalities such as “It was the
best time of my life” or “I have always loved animals” are boring without specifics to back them up. In other words, SHOW don’t just
TELL.
Research
3.
4.
Organization
1.
2.
3.
4.
Create an outline that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Remember to use a formal outline format i.e., roman numerals, capital letters, etc. Use the outline form to help.
Use 4x6 note cards on which to write your final outline and use them to help you practice your speech.
Use short, brief notes on your outline. Do not write complete sentences – you are more likely to get lost during your
speech if you try to read complete sentences, and your grade will go down!
5.
TIMING: This is very important! You MUST stay within the time limits given.
(adapted from Osborn & Osborn, 1997)
Object Speech (speech #2)
Assignment:
Great speeches usually include great visual aids. As you gain confidence in your ability to give a speech, you should actually
refer to your note cards less and less. This presents a problem: what do you do with your hands? Beginning speakers often
have difficulty in their first speeches knowing what to do with their hands. Having an object to hold gives you something to
which you can refer, something to look at besides your audience, and something to do with your hands. Your audience’s
attention will be divided between you and the object. Later, you will use visual aids to assist your explanations of a topic and
enhance the quality of your speech. For this speech, the object (the actual visual aid) is the focus of the speech.
Instructions:
1.
Bring an object (something practical) to class.
2.
Introduce the object and completely describe it.
3.
Tell the uses of the object. These may be practical or humorous or both (informative or entertaining).
4.
Tell anything else that pertains to the objet that may be of interest to the audience - background, stages of development,
people connected with it, or unique facts/moments in history connected with it.
5.
Time limit for the speech is 2-4 minutes.
Topic Suggestions:
tennis racket
gum
rubber band
camera
frying pan
piece of paper
rope
calendar
football
binder
flag
newspaper
pen
belt
post it
flashlight
telephone/cell phone
Band-Aid
toy
soap
baseball
memorabilia
pillowcase
toothbrush
Research:
1. Your own knowledge about the object.
2. Any details that will help in the explanation i.e., date of invention, inventor’s name, cost over the years, or historical connections.
Content:
1. Remember to use an attention-getting introduction with purpose/thesis statement, transitions, and specific details!
Organization:
1. Prepare note cards from your outline and write a complete speech, but realize that you should expect to use them sparingly, if at all,
during your speech.
2. Limit the amount of information on each card. They should not appear cluttered!
Delivery Techniques:
1. All previously discussed and…
2. Posture: Stand firmly on two feet in a relaxed posture and/or move fluidly and with confidence. Try not to appear too stiff or too
relaxed. Definitely avoid swaying back and forth or shifting from one foot to the other!
3. Varied vocal expression: Do not talk in monotone!
4. Stalling Devices: Avoid saying “UM,” “UH,” “AAAAAND,” “ER,” and the like at all costs!
5. Rate of speech: Don’t talk too fast or too slowly. Vary your rate of deliver to suit the point you are making.
6. Visual Aid display – practice holding the object so that everyone in your audience can see it. They should be able to see it wherever
you set it down and when you’re holding it. You’ll want to practice holding it and sweeping it from one end of the room to the other
in front of you so that everyone can see it. Remember not to go too slowly or too quickly!
(adapted from Osborn & Osborn, 1997)
Object Speech Outline Worksheet
Your speech will follow this format:
Speech Title: ____________________________________
Topic: ____________________
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about __________________________.
Thesis Statement: This object (name it) can be used for the following purposes… it is well known for…. (include at least 2
things – remember, you might include the standard uses and some humorous ones) Example: The Pet Rock was the
brainchild of a man during the 1970s. The fad lasted only about six months, but that was long enough to make one man a
millionaire while bringing smiles to all who owned them.
Introduction
Your goal here is to draw us into your speech...
A.
Attention Material (Begin with a story, quote, statistic, definition, use of suspense, etc. Never begin with ,
AHi. I am _______, and today I am going to talk about ________.@)
B.
Tie to Audience (Tell us how this relates to us. For this type of speech a statement like Awe all probably,...@
is fine.)
C.
Credibility Material (Tell us why you are credible, can be trusted, know your materials, etc. For this type of
speech, show us you are sincere to.)
D.
Thesis & Preview: (Example: Most people think of boxes for storing and packing things, and they certainly
are for that, but they are also great play accessories for kids.)
(Transition into Body of Speech B Let me begin by describing _______.)
Body
I. Main Point #1 (first aspect about the object you’re describing)
A.
Subpoint #1
1.
2.
3.
B.
Subpoint #2
1.
2.
3.
(adapted from Osborn & Osborn, 1997)
(Transition into Main Point 2 - Now that we have covered ___________, let=s move to __________. While ________ has
some standard uses, it also has some unconventional uses that I bet you didn’t know about.)
II.
Main Point #2 (second aspect about the object you are discussing)
A.
1.
2.
3.
B.
1.
2.
3.
(Transition into Main Point 3 - And finally, now that you have heard about ____________, let me tell you about
____________.
III.
Main Point #3 (third aspect about the object you are discussing)
A.
1.
2.
3.
B.
1.
2.
3.
Conclusion (It's okay if you combine some of A-D or even in you switch the order of B and C)
A.
Brake light (signals the end)
B.
Summary (review in the order covered)
C.
Tie Back to Audience (tell us again how we benefit from know this. Show the connection between you and
the audience.)
D.
yet,
Concluding Memorable Remarks (never, ever end on Athat=s it@ or AI=m done@ - plan out the end, better
tie back to the attention-getting device used in the introduction.
(adapted from Osborn & Osborn, 1997)
Object Speech Due Dates and Required Materials
Assigned:
Wed. 9/4
Object Outline (Rough):
due Fri. 9/6
Rough Speech
(typed or handwritten):
due Tues. 9/10
Terms Quiz:
Tues. 9/10
Practice Day:
Thurs. 9/12
Delivery Day:
Starts on Mon. 9/16 and will carry over to Wed. 9/13 if needed.
Due on the day you deliver your speech:
 A typed outline
 A typed copy of your speech
 Note Cards
Object Speech Due Dates and Required Materials
Assigned:
Wed. 9/4
Object Outline (Rough):
due Fri. 9/6
Rough Speech
(typed or handwritten):
due Tues. 9/10
Terms Quiz:
Tues. 9/10
Practice Day:
Thurs. 9/12
Delivery Day:
Starts on Mon. 9/16 and will carry over to Wed. 9/13 if needed.
Due on the day you deliver your speech:
 A typed outline
 A typed copy of your speech
 Note Cards
(adapted from Osborn & Osborn, 1997)