“I am going to deliver a speech!” A Speech Planning for Amateur Orators Introduction Task Process Information Sources Evaluation Conclusion By Michele Leslie B. David, Miriam College (Master of Arts in Education major in Instructional Management) This two-part webquest is designed to assist students who are going to prepare for a speech which will be delivered in front of fellow students who do not belong to their class. This first part of the two-part webquest aims to direct amateur speakers in understanding the reasons why they are called for to deliver a speech, in understanding the occasion, the purpose of the speech, the subject matter of the speech and most importantly, in knowing who the audience are. The second part of this two-part webquest further aims to assist students in the preparation of the speech through gathering of materials, classifying the sources, outlining, parts of speech composition and adding proof, support and humor. the stage for your performance INTRODUCTION It is always a terrifying experience to deliver a speech in front of any unnatural environment. During our previous discussions, we had identified the reasons that made up this nerve-breaking endeavor which are: shyness, inexperience, unpreparedness, decisiveness of the speech, and fear of the unknown. And of course, you had cited the ways on how to overcome the tension that is brought about by those. Now, you are about to move further in preparation towards your BIG DAY! THE SPEECH DAY! Just as any orators, both professionals or amateurs, you have to prepare your speech before you stand up in front of the public. This is the first and most important thing to do to combat tension – PREPARE. You, together with your 4 teammates, are going to prepare a speech for someone. That means – you will act as ghost writers! Your boss is asking your assistance to identify the subject of the speech, the purpose of the speech, the purpose of the person who invited your boss to deliver a speech, to know the occasion of the gathering and most of all, to identify the audience during the day of the speech. Along with your teammates, you are going to prepare a research paper of your findings and present your work using power point. Make sure that your findings are as complete as possible because your boss will be asking you questions, a lot of questions regarding your tasks. Good luck! Your annual salary raise will depend on the outcome of your report. Remember, your boss is well known to be very extravagant in giving of salary increases to deserving employees. TASK Just like any endeavor done the first time, the emotion of an amateur speaker is filled with both tension and enthusiasm. But looking at the brighter side of the coin, if the speaker is enthusiastic about it, everything else follows. This is one of the positive attitudes that made our great orators like Carlos P. Romulo. It is optimism that turns around negative approaches. Doubled with diligence in the preparation, the content will turn out to be very substantial. Coupled with intelligence, the speaker will definitely be applauded. Eventually, this experience will enrich his personality and character; thus making him an authority in speeches. However, we must not discount the fact that even for the seasoned speaker tension is still present in every speech that he delivers. One thing, though, that the tension subsides as the speech is on going. It will only serve as a warm-up exercise and that it tells that the speaker cares about his speech. YOUR TASK IS TO PLAY THE ROLE OF A GHOST WRITER. A ghost writer is a person who does the preparation of the speech in behalf of someone else. Here, you are going to: Identify the purpose of the person who invited your boss to deliver the speech. Gather as much information that you can get from your boss. The rest of the information that you may deem important that he could not provide shall be researched by the group. Of course, before doing your research , write down all possible questions or data needed to maximize your time. Part of the first task is to understand why your boss is the one invited. Therefore, study also your boss’ capabilities so that you may be able to fit the contents of your speech in the style of your boss to make your speech appear as if it is your boss who really prepared it. Identify the subject of the speech. Is it politics, economics, environmental, inauguration, graduation, wedding, necrological, or whatever? Whatever it may be, make sure that the topic fits into the interest, knowledge, limits in the preparation, occasion and audience. Identify the purpose of the speech. Ask your boss how he wants it done. Could it be to actuate, to convince, to stimulate, to inform or to entertain? You are going to pattern your speech on his desired purpose. Part of the prior task, you have to identify the occasion. Ask your boss about it - if the occasion is a formal or a non-formal gathering. The tone of your substance must be in accordance to the occasion. The speech must follow the prevailing atmosphere whether serious or light, unless your boss wants to perk up a drab proceeding. And lastly, identify the audience. Your boss may be having a very general information about it. Research about the general information that you are getting from your boss. It is a must to know the following pertinent to the audience’ information: age, gender, occupation, education, experience, size of crowd, interests, beliefs and attitudes or culture. Your speech must also be conscious about those information as these greatly affect the outcome of the speech and the reputation of the speaker. PROCESS Your end goal is to come up with a substantial preparatory research presentation on the elements of speech based on the information that you have gathered from your boss and in your research at the web. Below are some tips on how you may materialize the tasks assigned to you. Form a group of 5. It is always believed that more heads are better than one. So, the result must be 5 times better if you are to do the tasks alone. Subdivide the tasks among your group members. One of the many responsibilities of being a member of a group is to make the group’s lives easier thus accomplishing the tasks faster. Brainstorm among the members the information that each has gathered. This is one way of getting more information in one sitting. Come up with a speech according to how your boss wants it to be. And lastly, come up with a power point presentation on the application of the characteristics of the elements of speech so that your boss will be able to understand the speech that you will prepare in your next task in part 2 of this webquest. The presentation must incorporate all the detailed information that you shall have gathered during the process. That includes: subject, purpose, occasion and audience. INFORMATION SOURCES Internet: 1. http://www.speech-topics-help.com/public-speakingtopic.html 2. http://www.funonthenet.in/content/view/180/31/ 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_speaking 4. http://webpub.allegheny.edu/employee/d/danders/FS201/SP EECH1.htm 5. http://www.lessontutor.com/dppersuasive.html 6. http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Guest-Speaker-HiringTips&id=1481964 Books and Others: 1. Elements of Public Speaking, 4th edition, by Fortunato Gupit, Jr. 2. Public Speaking and Speech Improvement, by Arsenia Tan 3. Effective Speech Communication, 3rd ed, by Carmelita Flores, et al We may have discussed a lot about the characteristics of speech, but due to its unique features, a speech may come out different from the others even if these have the same function. Use the links that you are seeing above as these will remind of what the terms may mean. Further, let the links below guide you as you may be applying these in your endeavor. 1. Interviewing techniques http://webquest.sdsu.edu/processguides/interviewing.html 2. How to do an outline http://www.albany.edu/eas/170/outline.html 3. Types of humor http://www.library.thinkquest.org/j002267F/types_of_humor .html http://www.squaresail.com/auh.html#types 4. How to prepare a powerpoint presentation http://www.cyberbee.com/powerpoint/ppkids.pdf EVALUATION Before you start with your group work, kindly refer to the table below as it will guide you as you go along the process of your task. CRITERIA 4 VERY GOOD 3 GOOD 2 SATISFACTORY 1 POOR All characteristics of elements in speech preparation must be completely gathered. Only 3 elements have complete characteristics and the other one has few only. Only 1 element has complete characteristics and the other 3 have few characteristics gathered. Only few characteristics are gathered for all elements. All characteristics of each element are carefully explained and applied. Only 80% of the characteristics gathered for each element has been applied and explained. Only 2 elements have complete characteristics and the other two elements have a few only. Only 75% of the characteristics gathered has been applied and explained. Only 50% of the characteristics gathered has been applied and explained. Only 25% of the characteristics gathered has been applied and explained. 3. Creativity in slide presentation Final presentation is done in powerpoint and has utilized the magic of technology for creative and enticing slide show. Final presentation is done in powerpoint and has tried to maximize the technology for an alive presentation. Final presentation is done in powerpoint and has used the basic techniques of the technology. Final presentation is done in powerpoint but has not utilized the wonders of the technology for a creative effect. Final presentation is not done in powerpoint and has no creativity in giving effects. 4.Resourcefulness The group has gathered at least 10 different sources for each element using the web. The group has gathered at least 7 different sources for each element using the web. The group has gathered at least 5 different sources for each element using the web. The group has gathered at least 3 different sources for each element using the web. The group has gathered only 5 sources for all elements using the web. 1. Completeness of information 2. Effectiveness of data 5 EXCELLENT CONCLUSION Preparing a speech is always conceived as nerve wracking experience and always feared by all. That is why only a few dared to do challenge. However, just like any other unnatural endeavor this only needs focus and attention. That is why we are studying this so that we can face our fears. Public speaking is an important activity in our lives. We may be unconscious but everyday we do it when we speak with our friends, when we recite in the classroom, during an interview, during project presentation, and the like. Therefore, it is always best to prepare to combat our fear because whether we like it or not it is a part of our lives. Upon knowing the elements of public speaking, its characteristics, and others that you have been through during the process, at least in one way or another, you now have an idea of how it should be. Start with the basic from knowing your purpose, subject, occasion and audience. And then practice to be exposed. Always remember, when you conquer something different the prize is a lot greater. This activity should be able to make you ready as you continue your endeavor in part 2 of this webquest. Goodluck!