Demonstration Speech
What is a Process? audience how to write an effective resume. A Process: an organized series of actions that leads to a specific result or product. Speeches about processes explain: how something is made how something is done how something works For example: To inform my audience how to write an effective resume.
Goal Your goal should be to have the audience learn a skill. I want my audience to learn how to…
Make It Clear Don’t overestimate what the audience knows. You cannot assume your audience will know what you mean. Be sure to explain everything so thoroughly that it cannot help but be understood. When you write your speech, consider whether it will be clear to someone who is hearing about the topic for the first time.
Simple and Clear A good speaker can take even the most complex ideas and communicate them clearly and simply. Anyone can go to a book a find a definition, but to explain something plainly takes hard work and creative thinking.
Simple and Clear Explain things in plain English. Remember that listeners must understand what you say in the time it takes you to say it.
Don’t Use Technical “Jargon” Jargon: special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand. Example of computer jargon: BYTE DOT (Department of Transportation)
How to Begin Writing Your Speech Chronological order: Explain the process step-by-step from beginning to end. Make sure each step is clear and easy to follow. If your process has more than five steps, group the steps into units to limit the number of main points.
Main Points Select them carefully Phrase them precisely Arrange them strategically Make sure none of your main points can fall under a broader category. If you can, condense them into categories.
Condense I. Preparation Demonstration: How to take a patient’s temperature Main Points: Wash your hands Put on your gloves Take out your thermometer I. Preparation
Before Deciding on a Topic, Ask Yourself… Does it meet assignment? Can purpose be accomplished in time? Is it relevant to audience? Is it too trivial? Is it too technical?
Visual Aids
Speaker You can use your body as a visual aid. Examples: performing sign language, magic tricks, exercises Helps keep the audience involved. Requires special practice to coordinate your actions with your words. If your process takes longer than the time given, have a finished product ready to show.
PowerPoint Use photos of you showing the process step-by-step and place them on separate slides. Keep the text minimal and the photos large.
Video Make sure the video is cued to start exactly where you want it. Edit the video the precise length. Video doesn’t take the place of speech. Don’t use low-resolution video that will be blurry and distorted when projected. Make sure your clip isn’t too long No more than 30 seconds Don’t distract attention away from the speech itself
Preparation Prepare your visual aids in advance to make sure you have time and resources to make creative, attractive aids. You want to be able to use them while practicing your speech. Visual aids are only effective when they are integrated smoothly with the rest of the speech.
Visual Aid Do’s Do display visual aid where listeners can see them. Do display the visual aid only while discussing it. Do explain your visual aid. Do practice presenting your speech with your visual aid.
Visual Aid Don’ts Don’t stand where you block the audience’s view of the visual. Don’t pass your visual aid among the audience. Don’t break eye contact with your audience while explaining your visual aid. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare your visual aid.