Public Speaking Basics

Preparing Your First Speech

Speechmaking Process

1. Select A Topic Unless the topic is assigned, let your

interests be your guide! What engages you? What are your areas of expertise? Your hobbies? Are there any controversies you might

wish to address Be careful not use that as your only

criteria in choosing a topic

Process

2. Analyze the Audience The audience has a personality of

its own, interests of its own and their own ambitions. Those factors will affect how receptive the audience is toward the topic.

Process

Things to consider when making a choice:

Easily identifiable demographic characteristics: Male/female ratio Racial/ethnic differences Noticeable age differences Proportion of the group from out of

state/country

Process

3. Determine the purpose of the speech:

Typically, your speech will be one of three types of speech: 1. Speech to Inform 2. Speech to Persuade 3. Speech to Mark a Special Occasion

Process

The speech should have a stated Specific Purpose (what you want to speech to accomplish): Informative example: “to identify the three

key points on which students and administrators disagree about increasing resident tuition.”

Persuasive example: “to convince my listeners that the administration does not need to increase resident tuition.”

Process

4. Compose a Thesis Statement – Once the General Purpose and

Specific Purpose have been identified you need to compose a Thesis Statement that clearly expresses the central idea of your speech:

Process

For example: General Purpose: To inform Specific Purpose: To inform my

audience about the evolution of the MTVnetwork.

Thesis Statement: MTV has evolved from a single music

cable station to a multichannel, multi-entertainment

network.

Process

5. Develop the Main Points:

Organize around 2 or 3 main points These are the primary pieces of

knowledge (informative) or the key arguments in favor of your position (persuasive)

Process

For example, the main reason given by administrators is that higher tuition is needed to offset the costs of increased enrollment.

Process

Specific Purpose: To convince my listeners that the university’s administration does not need to increase resident tuition I. Monies from the state surplus should be used

to offset the cost of increased enrollment. II. Three other states have diverted funds from

their budget surpluses for precisely this purpose.

III. Yet another tuition hike will put the state’s institutions of higher education out of reach for too many of the state’s residents.

Process

6. Gather Supporting Material – Supporting Material – Illustrates

the main points by clarifying, elaborating and verifying the speakers ideas.

What is Supporting Material? Anything from personal experiences to

statistics from outside sources.

Process

7. Separate the Speech into its Major Parts –

I. Introduction – Serves to introduce the topic and the speaker and to alert audience members to your specific speech purpose. It will set the tone of the entire speech. It should catch the audience attention and interest. Can tell a story, make a startling statement, use humor.

Process

II. Speech Body – Just like an essay, the body should contain the speech’s main points and sub-points, all of which support the speech’s thesis. You should illustrate or argue each of your main ideas, using supporting material you should have gathered to clarify, elaborate or substantiate your points.

Process

III. Conclusion – restates the speech purpose and reiterates how the main points confirm it. This is your last opportunity to motivate your audience and state your theme in a memorable manner, make sure to end on a strong note.

Process

8. Outline the Speech – Provides the framework upon which

to arrange main points in support of your thesis and subordinate points in support of your main points Coordinate Points – Of equal

importance Subordinate Points – Given less weight

than the main points they support.

Example Outline – Speech of Introduction

Topic: Speech of Introduction for Lisa Tran

Speech Purpose: To Inform

SpecificSpeech Purpose: To inform my audience about

my odyssey as a refuge from war-torn Vietnam to a personfulfilling her potential and realizing her dreams in

America

Example Outline – Speech of Introduction

Introduction:(Captures audience attention – in this case, with a startling

statement and select dramatic details of her story.)My story begins in Saigon, where my father was

imprisoned. We fled the country without taking any belongings. The boat ride was horrific, and we arrived to harsh media attention. We first settled in Kansas, where we where finally reunited with dad.

(States thesis statement and previews main points. In a brief speech, the preview can act as a transition).

We set forth on American soil some years ago, but my journey has just begun. Little did I dream then of what was in store for me. Little do I know of what my future will bring.

Example Outline – Speech of Introduction

Body:I. We become American Citizens, and I achieve things I

never dreamed of.A. I become the first Asian pom captain at the University of

Oklahoma.B. I become a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the 1999

Miss Greek OU.II. My achievements could not have occurred if I did not have

some knowledge of the difficulties and hardships of life.A. Though I could not afford lessons in Vietnam, as a child I

trained myself to dance.1. Nine years later, I earned honors as a dancer and today I teach

dance.2. In 1999, I was crowned the first Asian Miss Greek OU

B. Thanks to the love and support of my sorority, my friends, and my family, I have come far.

C. The journey is not over.

Example Outline – Speech of Introduction

Conclusion:(Restates the thesis in a memorable way.) As an anonymous poet once wrote, “Dream what you want

to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.” Rather than proving my self-worth, my accomplishments merely symbolize the true passion and drive we have for living and succeeding.

(Leaves the audience with a motivating message.)We are what we learn and take with us during this journey

we call life. I am the past because I have appreciation; I am the present because I have learned humbleness; I am the future because I have so much more to learn.

Process

9. Consider Presentation Aids – Consider whether using visual or audio aids, a

combination of the tow or other aids will help your audience understand your points.

Can be as simple as writing the definition on the board or as involved as a multimedia slide show.

Presentation aids that summarize and highlight information can help the audience understand and retain ideas.

They can also provide dramatic emphasis that listeners will find memorable.

Process

10. Practice Delivering the Speech – PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!! Success depends on preparation, even for

a short speech. Suggestion: A good speech is practiced at

least 6 times. Like an actor, you are delivering your

“lines.” You will want to feel and appear natural to your audience.

Process

Practice verbal and nonverbal elements of your speech. Vocal Delivery – includes:

Volume Rate Pitch Variety Pronunciation Articulation

Process

Nonverbal Delivery – includes: Facial expression Gestures General body movement Overall physical appearance