Chapter 7 Speech: Exploring Communication Preparing Your Speech Chapter 7 Speech: Exploring Communication

Goals When we finish today you should be able to: Identify ways to choose a speech topic Prepare a speech outline Recognize the importance of rehearsal

Focusing on Your Topic Selecting a general subject Deciding on purpose Fit it to interests of audience and time limit

2) Selecting a general subject Write down as many subjects that fascinate you. Your topics don’t have to be revolutionary or unusual to be interesting.

(Quest. 4): Choosing a Topic Audience – how much do they know? Message – What do you want them to know?

1) Analyze Your Audience Ask the following questions: How much about my topic do my audience members know? What can I tell them about this topic that they do not already know? Will this topic interest some audience members more than others? How can I make this topic interesting to the majority of the class?

(Quest. 5) Testimonials: A personal account of your experiences or the anecdotal stories of others. Consider: Are they relevant? Consider: Are they offensive Consider: Do they ADD to the overall value of the speech? Remember: Make sure they are not too lengthy!

7) Purpose Major purposes: Inform Persuade Entertain Introduce Welcome

3) Purpose Sentence A.K.A. Thesis Statement Precise statement that tell your listeners what you want them to know, think, believe, or do as result of hearing your speech See examples on page 179 (SEC)

6) Organizing and outlining Your Speech Depending on your specific purpose your organization will vary. Chronological pattern Spatial Topical Problem-solution pattern Monroe’s motivated sequence String-of-beads pattern

8a) Chronological Pattern Organization proceeds from past to present to future. In other words, the speech develops in the same order that the events develop in time.

8b) Spatial Organization is tied together by space arrangements, rather than by time sequence.

8c) Topical Organization where the subject is broken down into its natural parts. Example: U.S. Congress Senate and House Then subdivided into Democrats and Republicans

8d) Problem-solution Pattern Speaker devotes roughly the first half of the speech to describing the problem that exists, or is about to occur The second half develops one or more solutions Example: presidential addresses on national television

8e) Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Originally suggested by Alan Monroe Used when giving persuasive speeches Five separate steps The attention step - created by a shocking story or statistic, or through quotation. The need step - problem won’t go away on its own - action is needed. The satisfaction step - offer viable solutions. The visualization step - details of what will happen if actions are taken The action step - what action the audience can take.

8f) String-of-Beads Pattern Used mainly for after-dinner speeches or entertaining Consists of a series of stories, jokes, or anecdotes strung out like beads on a string and tied loosely to some weak central theme.

Outlines An outline must accompany your speech You must use the prescribed outlines that I provide. General Speech Outline Depending on the type of speech, your outline will change (#9)

10) Rehearsal Rehearse over three day period Find a place to rehearse Plant the pattern of ideas in your mind (This is not memorizing) Rehearse alone and with friends or family Time rehearsal