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Help and Reminders
When delivering a speech, it is important to employ certain
strategies that not only gain the audience’s attention but also
make connections to your topic.

Use an example: Give the audience a vivid account of some
event or instance when your information was useful.

Tell a story: The story may be fictional, but it should point in
the direction of the subject matter

Tell a joke: Joke telling is often badly done. Be sure the joke
has a point and is appropriate and will get the desired response.

Use a literary quotation: A quote from literature, a line from a
poem, or even a line from a song that is familiar can create the
proper mood for the speech.

Use an analogy: An analogy is the use of a
familiar object or idea for the purpose of making
an unfamiliar object or idea clear and
understandable. For example “The heart is like
a pump.”

Present a series of facts: Choose several
interesting facts about topic to present to the
audience in rapid fire fashion.

Rhetorical or thought-provoking questions:
Make sure that if you do this, you don’t rush to
your next point before your audience can
consider your question.
AVOID
 Dictionary
Definitions: They are cliché and
do not usually get anyone’s attention.
 Common
knowledge statistics: Only use a
statistic if it is somehow shocking or
unexpected.

Prepare them well in advance
Keep It Simple Sir

Make sure they are large enough
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
Use easy to read fonts – there is a reason for Times-Roman
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should be able to be seen by “all” viewers when presented, not just those “up
front”.
non-serif fonts are harder to read
Use a limited number of fonts
Use color effectively
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highlighting
used well proven color schemes, what colors work well together is a tough choice
for most people
Prepare well in advance
 Keep it Simple
 Make sure it is large enough



should be able to be seen by “all” viewers when presented, not
just those “up front”.
Use easy to read fonts – there is a reason for Times-Roman

non-serif fonts are harder to read
Use a limited number of fonts
 Use color effectively


used well proven color schemes, what colors work well together
is a tough choice for most people

In an essay, it is common to use parenthetical
citations to cite your work (Zurybida 21). In a
speech, however, the listener cannot hear your
parenthetical citations, so you must verbally
inform the listeners.
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
Wrong Way: Although students may not appreciate the
value of learning new vocabulary, “results [reveal] a
relatively linear relationship between the percentage of
vocabulary known and the degree of reading
comprehension (Schmitt 26).
Right Way: Although students not appreciate the value
of learning vocabulary, a study conducted by Norbert
Schmitt revealed in the Modern Language Journal that
there is a “linear relationship between the percentage
of vocabulary known and the degree of reading
comprehension.”
 Use
standard 3x5 note cards
 Write out the first sentence of the intro and
conclusion.
 Note where you plan to use visual aids.
 Include quotes, statistics, and lists you may
need, not paragraphs of text.
 Number your note cards.
 Use a few key words or phrases.
 Practice
using your note cards.
 Use pictures or graphic organizers to guide
you.
 Use your visual aids as notes.
 Create just a few meaningful heading in an
outline form. Practice using only these
headings as your “cues.” This will take
practice, but practicing using only these few
words will force you to internalize your
speech.
 Use the final version of your notes to
practice.

Step up to speak with confidence and authority.
Establish eye contact before beginning.

Maintain eye co ntact with the entire audience
(not just the teacher) throughout your speech.
Make people feel as if you are talking to them.

Gestures – Use natural gestures that accentuate
your speech, not distract from it. Avoid overprepared gestures and repetitious gestures.

Dress appropriately and comfortably for your
speech. Your dress should not hinder your
speech.
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
Begin without referring to your notes. Your
introduction will set the stage for the rest of
your speech.

Body Language – Use good posture, don’t cross
your legs or lean. Don’t play with objects
such as necklaces, notes, sleeve cuffs,
watches, rings, etc. Occasionally change your
placement by taking a few steps to the right or
left.

Refer to your notes only occasionally.
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Volume – vary the volume of your speech, however always speak
loudly enough to be heard by everyone.

Pace – Vary the speed at which you speak. (Speed up to show
interest or excitement, slowing down to the seriousness of a
message.) Do not speed through your speech though.

Pause – Use pauses for dramatic effect.

Tone – Vary the tone of your voice to get across the message of
your speech and to add variety.

Fluency – Try to avoid non-words and filler-words like “ah,”
“um,” “ya know,” and “kay.”
In a formal speaking setting,
you have responsibilities
both as a speaker and as a
listener. Please follow these
guidelines to create a
comfortable atmosphere for
you and your listener.
 Be
prepared. When it is your turn to deliver
your speech, promptly get up and proceed to
the front of the room. Present a confident,
assured image.
 Have
note cards organized and get into a
comfortable stance.
 Wait
for everyone’s complete attention.
 Begin
speaking as soon as you are comfortable
and at ease.
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Speak clearly.

Maintain eye contact; glance only occasionally at
your note cards. Do not read from your note
cards.

Do NOT, repeat, Do NOT chew gum.

When you are finished take a second or two of
quiet time before you return to your seat. Do
not say, That’s it!” or anything like that.

After the audience applauds, return to your
seat.

Give your undivided attention to the speaker from the
moment he/she gets out of the seat. When the speaker is
in front of the room, your eyes should be on him/her.

Keep your desk clear. Do not browse at other materials.

Respond to the speaker’s eye contact so he/she will feel
comfortable in front of the room.

Never talk or interrupt during a speech. Do not enter or
exit the room.

When the speech is over, politely applaud.