Demonstration Speeches
Characteristics of a
Demonstration Speech
A good demonstration speech teaches. It's a variation of the
informative speech with in-built visual aids. The audience, through
listening, watching or participating, learns something new. As their
guide, you will take them through a process of 'show and tell' covering
each step from set-up to finish. Think of it as a 'how-to'.
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Examples of topics easily fitting its requirements are:
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How to wax a surfboard
How to make a pumpkin pie
How to fix a puncture in your bike tire
How to Choose a Topic
The following questions will assist you in choosing an appropriate
Demonstration Speech Topic:
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Who is your audience?
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What will be of interest to them?
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It's much, much harder to persuade an unwilling or bored audience that you have
anything interesting to say or show. Choose appropriately
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Why does my audience need to listen to my speech?‘
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What will they gain from it?' Put yourself in their shoes. If you were them, what would
make your topic appeal?
How to Choose a Topic, cont.
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Can this topic be broken down into easily followed sequential steps? If the answer is 'YES'
you can go ahead. If the answer is 'NO' you'll need to think again.
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Can this topic adapt to fit the setting for the speech? Example: My topic is 'How to saddle a
horse correctly'. The setting for my speech is the classroom, or a hall. Understandably, I
can't bring my horse! But is there another way around the problem? Can I use video-clips I
shot and edited? be sure to ask what the rules are before committing yourself to using
other media forms i.e. power point presentation, video etc.
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Is this topic something I'm passionate about or genuinely interested in?
Your enthusiasm (or lack of it) communicates directly with the audience. It bypasses your
words and shows in your body language. Are you committed? Are you interested? Do you
really care?
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Great demonstration speeches are a combination of confidence and information. You need
both.
Planning, Preparation
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The goal is to successfully teach a process or skill. Success or failure in
teaching is always measured from the pupil or student's perspective. So if
my demonstration speech is on 'how to tie a tie', then the desired result is
an audience capable of tying their own ties or at least inspired to try.
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Three- part format:
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Introduction: tell the audience what it is they're going to learn, why
they'll benefit from learning it and why you chose the topic.
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Body of the speech -- the demonstration itself (be sure that you cover
each step in the process, and that you explain each step in enough
detail so that anyone can complete the task at a basic level of
competence (see Slide # 7-9 for more information)
Planning, Preparation & Delivery, cont.
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Conclusion -- summarizing what it is that's been learnt and
reinforcing its benefits.
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Woven throughout each of these segments you'll provide
visual aids (either the items themselves or charts, diagrams,
photographs, video etc.) and personal stories to illustrate.
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You may even include the audience if appropriate. For
example, if you're tying ties, then having one for everybody
to practice with as you're going through the steps makes
sense.
The Body of
Demonstration Speeches
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Begin with the desired outcome
Consider the steps needed to complete the task
Do the task yourself, asking as you go along:
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What does my audience need to know about each step?
What will make it easier for my audience to understand?
Do they need to see it?
Do they need to do it?
Do I need to include every step or can I safely either skip
some or clump them together?
Speech Delivery
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Talk the process out loud to yourself making
sure your vocabulary is free of jargon or if
you do use specialist words, you explain
them fully.
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Ask for feedback so you can fine tune the
balance between 'showing and telling'.
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Speech Deliver, cont.
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Questions you'll want answered are:
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Are the steps in the process logical?
Are my instructions or explanations clear?
Is it interesting, amusing, effective?
What do I need to do to improve?
Speech Topics
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teach a child to ride a bike
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teach a child to read the time
read to a child
read music
set a dinner table
fold table napkins
prepare a baby's bottle
wash a dog
play an instrument
write a thank-you letter
sharpen a knife
prepare chicken safely
make your own relish, jam, pastry...
read braille
use sign language
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Speech Topics, cont.
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iron a shirt properly
make a perfect posy of flowers
read the language of flowers
oil a bike chain
change a tire
mend a puncture
learn to skate board
learn to surf
do basic first aid
survive in the bush, desert, mountains...
prepare a survival kit
buy online safely
take a good photograph
care for a pet
bake bread, bagels...
Speech Topics, cont.
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read the tides
read body language
understand cultural difference in body language
catch a fish
prepare and set a net
smoke a fish
play chess
do a cross-word
apply make-up correctly
select the right make-up for you
travel safely in a foreign country
burglar proof your home
save money
recycle
break old habits
learn to draw, sketch
Speech Topics, cont.
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grow your own herbs
make your own cosmetics, creams etc
sew your own clothes
design your own clothes
fix a blocked sink
fix a leaking faucet
replace a cracked tile
polish wooden furniture correctly
make natural dyes
spin or weave
play with a small child
create a seasonal centre piece for the table
make a Christmas wreath
paint eggs
make chocolate
Speech Topics, cont.
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scrapbook
fly a kite
knot a tie
make your own jewelry from antique buttons
use chop sticks
prepare green tea and serve it correctly
wax a surfboard
take a pulse
defend yourself (basic self defense)
interpret a modern painting
read a palm
plan a party
prune a rose
Speech Topics, cont.
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talk to a deaf person
how to design & make a greeting card
knit
crochet
embroider
quilt
felt
alter your own clothes...take up a hem etc.
sharpen a knife
prepare chicken safely
make your own relish, jam, pastry...
read braille
use sign language
Speech Topics, cont.
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lift without damaging your back
choose colors that suit you
choose clothes that suit you
graft a plant
grow from seed
prepare and plant a tub with flower or vegetable seedlings
bonsai
recognize poisonous plants or insects
read the clouds
read the stars
Speech Topics, cont.
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learn to paint in water colors
make papier mache
work puppets
decoupage
use stencils
make a perfect cup of coffee, tea...
Speech Topics, cont.
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press flowers
whistle
train a puppy
make a bird feeder
plait or braid hair
do a cheap style make-over
shop at thrift stores
restore a piece of furniture