Speech NOTES

Speech Content

INTRODUCTION Part A (Attention Getter) You must capture audience attention in a way that will lead in to your topic. Here are some great suggestions for starting your speech:

INTRODUCTION continued Ask the audience a question. Recite a quotation that relates to your topic (then explain it!). Recite (or sing!) song or poem lyrics that relate to your topic. Make a list of words or phrases. Tell a story. Give a startling fact or statistic. Tell a joke (class appropriate, of course, and relative to topic).

INTRODUCTION continued Part B (Topic Sentence) After your creative opener, move into your topic sentence so the audience has no doubt about the content of your speech. The topic sentence tells the audience what your topic is.

INTRODUCTION continued Part C (Preview) After you announce your overall topic, you need to tell the audience what specific main points you will be covering. DO NOT SKIP THIS!! This part of your introduction helps you remember what you plan to cover, and also gives the audience a preview of what to expect. DO NOT SKIP THIS!! This part of your introduction helps you remember what you plan to cover, and also gives the audience a preview of what to expect.

body Main Points The body of your speech must contain main ideas and details and examples to support your main ideas. Your details should be organized so your audience members would be able to write down your organization while you speak. In most speeches, you will have 3 main points.

Body continued Transitions You should try to make a smooth transition from one point to the next. Do this by making a connection from the previous point to the upcoming point and using signpost words like next, first, second, third, finally, thus, and now. Example: Now that I’m done talking about the invention of the pizza, let’s move on to evolution of the pizza.

Conclusion Part A (Summary) Rephrase your topic sentence and preview to give a summary of your speech. This summary should list your topic AND main points.

Conclusion continued Part B (Clincher) Then give a final comment that ties back into your original attention getter in the introduction. If you started with a question, maybe you could answer it or ask another question; if you started with a story, maybe you could finish it; if you started with a quotation, maybe you can refer back to that quote or the person who said it; if you started with a startling fact, maybe you could end with another one or remind us of how important that fact was; if you told a joke, maybe you could refer to it again, give us the punch line, or tell another related joke. No matter which route you choose, end with a clincher!

DO NOT just say “thank you” or “that’s my speech” or “i’m done now DO NOT just say “thank you” or “that’s my speech” or “i’m done now.” Your audience will remember the last thing you say the best, so make it worthwhile!

Elements of Good Speech Delivery

Vocal Delivery Volume: Loud enough for everyone to hear (not just the front of the room) but don’t shout Rate/Pace: Nice event/ normal pace. Not overly fast or overly slow. Pitch: (Highness/Lowness) Should vary, no monotone voice Articulation: Enunciate your words and sounds – speak clearly! Pronunciation: Know how to correctly say all the words in your speech. Fluency: Know how to correctly say all the words in your speech.

Physical Delivery Eye Contact: Don’t look at the floor, or ceiling. Be a slow, oscillating fan. Posture: Stand up strait and solid, stand still (don’t sway or shift feet), MOVE WITH PURPOSE Gestures: Use to emphasize words, hands at sides otherwise, keep hands out of pockets, don’t play with notecards/clothes Facial Expressions: Should be animated and enthusiastic Keep hair out of face, avoid distracting items (ie; really skimpy clothes, flashy jewelry, really wrinkled/dirty clothes) dress appropriately for audience Personal Appearance:

Communication Notes

Communication—the exchange of information between individuals Source encodes message which receiver then decodes Must be shared meaning for shared understanding Can come in many different forms

The Listening Process Hearing—sounds converted to impulses in brain Attending—decide what to focus on Understanding—give message meaning Remembering—recall heard information Length of message Familiar vs. unfamiliar information Unusual details

Active Listening Behaviors Eye contact with source Noting nonverbal signs Signals (nodding, etc) Not talking Taking notes (i.e. in class)

Communication involves a source and a receiver Good sources: Recognize the importance of both verbal and nonverbal communication Use clear language to avoid misunderstandings Use familiar information to connect to receivers (if possible) Don’t speak too long

Good receivers: Listen actively Pay attention to nonverbal cues Ask questions to clarify meaning Give listening cues (nods, etc)