Public Speaking
• “Surveys show that the number one
fear of Americans is public speaking.
Death is number two. That means
that at a funeral, the average
American would rather be in the
casket than doing the eulogy”.
•
- Jerry Seinfeld
"My report is called ‘How to Overcome Your Fear of
Public Speaking.’ You can’t. The end"—Cartoon by
Randy Glasbergen
What is a speech?
A speech is a prepared talk that aims to….
• Inform (give information)
• Persuade (convince others of something)
• Demonstrate (show how to do something)
Other goals of a speech may be
• To amuse or entertain
• To motivate
What Parts does a Speech Have?
• Introduction – tells your audience what
your speech is about (includes your thesis
statement).
• Body – discusses your main points, which
are facts and ideas you want your
audience to know.
• Conclusion – Sums up the speech so that
the audience remembers the main points.
What is a thesis statement?
• A thesis statement is a statement in a
speech that you plan to support, discuss
or prove.
• It answers the questions “What is the main
focus of this speech?”
Narrowing your Thesis
• Create a manageable thesis. If the topic is
too broad, narrow it down!
Too Broad
Narrow, but Ordinary Extraordinary!!!
Crime and
Punishment
The death penalty is cruel With DNA evidence calling
and unusual punishment.
many guilty verdicts into
question, the death penalty
may be against the
Constitution.
Pollution
Land pollution is
destroying the planet
Earth.
Caused by more than just
trash on the ground, land
pollution is wrecking
Earth’s soil.
Organizing your speech
• Make an Outline. A speech is usually
organized as follows:
– Introduction – includes your “hook” and
thesis
– Main Points supported by:
•
•
•
•
Facts
Quotes
Anecdotes
Opinions
– Conclusion, Summary, or
Recommendation (depending on the
purpose of your speech).
What Techniques are Included in a
Speech?
• Repetition – Main points are repeated a few
times so that the audience has a chance for it
to sink in
• Visual Aids – posters, charts, models help your
audience remember what you say.
• Thought-Provoking Questions – Gets the
audience thinking about areas of your topic
they may not have considered
• Emotional and Sensory Language –
Language that appeals to your audience’s
emotions
• Statistics – a number based on a survey or
poll that gives information about quantity
Your AUDIENCE is who you’re speaking to.
Example of Audience
Topic of speech is “Examples of Ways to Recycle”
• Teachers can recycle by taking turns
bringing in the newspaper to the teachers’
lounge.
• Classmates can recycle by having an
aluminum can drive to raise money for a
class field trip.
• Kindergartners can recycle by using both
sides of the paper for drawing and writing.