“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!