TYPES OF SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SPEECH
FACT
Almost all informative speeches depend on presenting facts. Facts can be proven true, many facts are giving in a
speech, and for example, dates and names are facts.
OPINION
An opinion differs from a fact in that an opinion can be proven or disproven. A speakers’ belief that the
Manhattan Project is an exciting aspect of American history is an example of an opinion. An opinion may be
personal or the collective opinion of a group of “experts” in a particular field.
STATISTICS
Statistics help a speech by using numbers to present information. A list of statistics can be boring but used
correctly statistics help an audience understand your point.
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
Comparisons show how things are alike. Contrast shows how things are different. Figurative language can be
used in this vein to give the speech a creative touch. You may want to consider a simile or a metaphor.
ANALOGY
An analogy compares two things that are different. Whenever a comparison grows beyond two or three
sentences, it should be an analogy. When using an analogy, you prove the truth of something by showing its
similarity to something else. For example, in debating the safety of nuclear power plants, you might argue.
“Building and operating a nuclear power plan today is about as safe as lighting one’s campfire with three feet of
a wooden keg of gunpowder. As long as you exercise extraordinary caution, everything is fine. But take your
eyes off that fire for just a few minutes and the result can be unbelievable.
EXAMPLES
An example is a specifics typical instance of something. Rather than mentioning a ‘multi-million dollar movie’
and going on to the next point the speaker could give two specific examples, Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost
Ark, to inform the audience what is going on.
INCIDENT
An incident is usually a brief story that makes a point. The response of Enrico Fermi to the possibility of an
atomic bomb, “It could make the whole city disappear” is an incident. An incident may be long or short. Often a
lengthy incident becomes too complicated for an audience and must be shortened. Sometimes incidents are
created by the speaker to make a point. Hypothetical illustrations should not be presented as the truth, but only
as illustrations.
QUOTATIONS
When you use the words of another person or of a book or article you have researched you are using a
quotation. As a beginning speakers you often must give reports or subjects you are just learning about. As a
result you usually have to use quotations from authorities to make your point. In using quotations, you can also
present facts or statistics.
HUMOR
Tasteful and tactful use of humor can be a strong stimulant of audience attention. Unless YOU have a real talent
for it, you should use it sparingly. You should also relate it to the point under discussion. IT MUST BE
RELEVANT!
EPIGRAM
An epigram is a statement that makes a point skillfully in a very few words. Originally, an epigram was a brief
poem carved on a tombstone. It was short because stone-carving was expensive. Nowadays, a short, witty
statement, in poetry or prose, whether original or traditional, ascribed or anonymous, can be called epigram. For
example, “The doors of success swing on the hinges of opposition”.
PERSONAL REFERENCE
Have you given up smoking? Has a member of your family had to give up smoking for health reasons? Have
you had any personal experience outside of the family which you could use as testimony? Delve into your own
experience to see if you have knowledge that can add significance to your speech.
ANECDOTE
The material in your talk on smoking is pretty heavy, and you can use an occasional anecdote or story for relief,
do you remember the porter scene in Macbeth in which Shakespeare used for this same purpose-relief? Turn to
the magazines and joke books for help here, and keep your ears open for appropriate illustrative stories, that
may be making the rounds. Caution: all anecdotes must be actual stories you can’t just make it up!
DESCRIPTION
In addition to factual reports you can use description to develop your ideas. Correctly used, description is a
powerful tool, when it is effective; it evokes a sensory response from the listener. The key thing to remember
about using description is to be concrete, be specific. Give details that add interest. Avoid abstract words. If you
are describing the lift-off of an Apollo rocket, for example, your audience will not get too much from a
statement like this: “It’s real loud and there’s a lot of fire. It starts off pretty slow but it gets going pretty fast.”
DEFINTION
Definitions can be helpful in explaining many topics provided they are clear and apt. definitions set limits by
showing what a thing is and what it is not. Definitions can come from dictionaries of course, but explanations
and examples can also add to definitions. Certainly use definitions if you have any “jargon” in your speech.
VISUAL AID
Use technology-all rules apply
RHETORICAL QUESTION
A general question which engages the audience to think, but does not require a response verbally. Have you
ever ordered….?
DIRECT QUESTION
Consider asking an audience member or the entire audience a specific question that requires a verbal or physical
response
HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION
This type of support creates a “possible” or imaginary situation that helps the audience experience the nature of
the speech on a more personal level. It is meant to illustrate and is not necessarily based on reality, but most
often it will be a situation that could possibly happen.
CIRCLE-BACK
This is used to develop your conclusion. Consider beginning an anecdote in you introduction and referring back
to it or finishing it in your conclusion. You might have a quote in your introduction and refer back to it in some
way in your conclusion.