Everything you need to know! (well, almost)
I. Speech Topics
A. This is the purpose of your speech.
B. Consider:
a. The occasion: Why are you giving the speech?
b. The audience: Who will watch it?
c. Expectations: What is required?
1.
Your interests
a.
b.
c.
d.
What do you enjoy doing?
What special knowledge or expertise do you have?
What strong opinions and beliefs do you hold?
What would you like to know more about?
II. Audience Analysis
A. Demographics – breaking your audience down into
categories, such as
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Age
Gender (male/ female)
Race/ ethnicity
Religion
Socioeconomic Status – lower class, middle class, upper
class, etc.
Interests
B. Importance
1. Each audience is different; find a “target” audience
a. Unwise to give a speech about the benefits of
meat to animal rights group
III. Speech Outline
A. What is an outline?
1. Information written in skeleton form
2. Focusing on only the main points
B. Purpose of an Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Organize Ideas
Helps to make eye contact
Prevents from reading
Prevents monotone Charlie Brown
Keeps you on track (focused)
Easier to present from
In case you lose your place, etc.
Bueller
IV. Parts of a Speech
A.
Introduction
1. Beginning of a speech; sets the tone
2. Where you “grab” the audience
3. If possible, relate yourself to your audience
in the intro.
Parts of a Speech continued
Parts of an Introduction
a.
Hook (Attention-Getter) – Must be relevant to topic
* Bold/ startling statement
* Humor/Joke
* Quote
* Ask a question
- Interrogative – expect a response
- Rhetorical – don’t expect a response
* Fact/statistic
* Anecdote
- short story, usually personal, sometimes humorous
* Visual aids
* Make a reference
Hook Example
Parts of a Speech continued
b. Purpose Statement
* The main idea for the speech
* Direct and specific
* Ask, “What goal am I trying to achieve with this
speech?”
* Tone of voice is very important
Example:
“Today I will tell you about the dangers of texting and
driving.”
Parts of a Speech continued
c. Preview Main Points
* Leads into the body
* Tells audience what to listen for
* Usually one sentence that gives an overview of the major
areas of your speech
* Must use transition words
Example:
“To begin, texting is… (main point #1),
secondly, texting is…(main point #2),
finally, texting and driving …(main point #3).”
Parts
of
a
Speech
continued
B. Body
1.
2.
The “guts” of your speech.
State your main ideas and supporting details.
a.
3.
4.
Try to give equal time to all.
If you can’t, make a sandwich with your Main Points
a.
b.
c.
5.
2 – 5 Main Points, usually only 3
2nd Most Important Point
Least Important Point
Most Important Point
Supporting Materials and Details
a.
b.
Elaborate on the main points
State these after the main point
* Examples
-Testimony – quote from someone else
-Statistic – facts about main point
-Story about main point
-Example of main point
Parts of a Speech continued
C. Conclusion
1.
2.
Let your audience know that you are ending.
Typically do not add any new info.
Parts of a Speech continued
Parts of a Conclusion
a. Restate purpose. Ex.: “We spoke about…”
b. Review main points Ex.: “First…Second…Finally…”
c. Give a final thought
* Action steps (for persuasive speeches)
* Give incentive (reason) for remembering your speech
* Emotional impact
V. Creating Your Outline
A. Use standard symbols in this order:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Capital Roman Numerals (I, II, III)
Capital Letters (A, B, C)
Arabic Numerals (1, 2, 3)
Lowercase Letters (a, b, c)
Lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii)
B. Each line should contain only one idea.
1. Ex. The park is beautiful and easy to get to.
a.
b.
The park is beautiful.
The park is easy to get to.
Outlining Continued
Supporting points should relate to the subject
directly above it.
D. Indent from main point to supporting point.
C.
1.
2.
Usually 5 spaces (or one tab)
Makes it easier to read
E. Should be short and simple
F. Key phrases only, not sentences
G. Use transitions (First, To begin, Next, Finally, etc.)
1. Makes speech flow (not choppy)
2. Helps the audience to follow along
Outline Ex.Introductory Speech Format.doc