Preparing for a Speech Select a topic Know the audience Consider the occasion Establish the purpose Write a Thesis

Selecting the Topic Choose a topic this is both familiar and interesting to you. Don’t choose topics that…. Require too much detail and understanding for a speech. Require too much detail and understanding for a speech. Not significant enough or interesting enough to make a speech about it. Not significant enough or interesting enough to make a speech about it. Too broad or too narrow for the amount of time available. Too broad or too narrow for the amount of time available.

Limiting a Topic Limit your topic to a specific aspect so that you can effectively cover it in one speech Recognize your own strengths and weaknesses: Do you have enough experience with the topic to speak in a knowledgeable manner? Do you have strong enough interest in the topic to make it interesting for the audience?

Knowing the Audience DemographicsAgeEducationReligion Physical Aspects Size Other speakers

Demographics Age Affects what you know and the experiences that you’ve had. A topic must be approached differently for different age groups because language varies and interests change.

Educational Level Affects knowledge, vocabulary and attitudes Avoid speaking “above their heads” or “down” to them Religious Background Religion is very personal. Speakers must be sensitive to the religious background of their audience and avoid anything that could be interpreted as an insult.

Physical Aspects Size - affects how formal or informal the speaker can be. Size - affects how formal or informal the speaker can be. Other speakers - affects subject choice and time restraints, you want to avoid duplicating information and the amount of time you are allotted. Other speakers - affects subject choice and time restraints, you want to avoid duplicating information and the amount of time you are allotted.

Consider the Occasion It is important to consider why the members of an audience have gathered. It is important to consider why the members of an audience have gathered. What is the occasion? What is the occasion? What do they have in common? What do they have in common? How much interest will they have in your topic? How much interest will they have in your topic? Does this group have established attitudes about the topic? Does this group have established attitudes about the topic?

Establishing A Purpose Types of speeches Specific purpose

Types of Speeches Informative Persuasive To Entertain Special Occasion

Types of Speeches Informative - to share information, to enrich the listener’s mind Persuasive - to change the audience’s mind about an issue, to prove something, or take action Entertainment - to get the listeners to relax, have a good time, to look on the lighter side Special Occasion - delivered on special occasions, to introduce, to accept an award, or entertain

Specific Purpose Specific Purpose of a speech is its goal stated in a complete sentence. It is designed to focus attention on a specific area of a topic. Specific Purpose of a speech is its goal stated in a complete sentence. It is designed to focus attention on a specific area of a topic. A. the purpose sentence specifies the audience to be addressed and the desired results A. the purpose sentence specifies the audience to be addressed and the desired results B. A good purpose sentence also serves to narrow your topic. B. A good purpose sentence also serves to narrow your topic. Example - The purpose of this speech is to give a humorous review of the swimming season for team members and fans (to entertain)

Thesis Statements Purpose statements sound awkward in a speech, so you convert it into a thesis statement. A thesis statement is your point of view on the subject, along with your three main points, reduced into a single statement. For Example: Purpose statement: The purpose of this speech is to convince members that selling calendars is a good way to raise money. Thesis Statement: In order to understand why we should sell calandars, one should first consider that calendar sales return high profits, have minimal up front investment, and calendars are items everyone needs.

Where to Look for Information Yourself Other people Reference materials

Information from Yourself Start with your own knowledge and experience Personal Experience What experiences have you had with this topic? Observation You can acquire amount of info by observing It is especially helpful when gathering information for and “how to” approach

Information from Others Other people can be valuable resources when gathering information for your speech Other people can be valuable resources when gathering information for your speech Three ways to gather information from others Three ways to gather information from othersInterviewsSurveys The request letter

Interview - In almost any topic you can obtain information by interviewing. Good interviews do not just happen, but a result of careful planning. Interview - In almost any topic you can obtain information by interviewing. Good interviews do not just happen, but a result of careful planning. Survey - Random or Select. Used as a tool to measure attitudes or opinions. The results of a survey can be used to support points in your speech. Survey - Random or Select. Used as a tool to measure attitudes or opinions. The results of a survey can be used to support points in your speech. Request Letter - Unusual or specialized topics may require you to send away for information. Request Letter - Unusual or specialized topics may require you to send away for information.

Request Letter Allow enough time for the recipient to answer Allow enough time for the recipient to answer Depending on the size and nature of the company allow several weeks for reply Depending on the size and nature of the company allow several weeks for reply Be clear about what information you need Be clear about what information you need Make sure your request is reasonable and be exact on the information you want. Make sure your request is reasonable and be exact on the information you want. Help to make the response easier to send Help to make the response easier to send Sending a self-addressed stamped envelope makes it easier for person or company to reply Sending a self-addressed stamped envelope makes it easier for person or company to reply

Reference Materials In most cases especially in informative and persuasive speeches you will need to research and read about your topic In most cases especially in informative and persuasive speeches you will need to research and read about your topic By researching, you will be able to... By researching, you will be able to... 3verify facts that you have already discovered 3find new information that gives your speech depth 3provide background for your topic

Current Topics/Current Resources For current topics, the best sources of information are newspapers, magazines, the internet, or anything published at least in the last year. For current topics, the best sources of information are newspapers, magazines, the internet, or anything published at least in the last year. Books are usually three years old before they are even published. Books are usually three years old before they are even published.

Identifying your Sources b How many sources should you have for a speech? You should not have fewer than three sources to give a broad range of viewpoints.You should not have fewer than three sources to give a broad range of viewpoints. You should strive for two sources per point.You should strive for two sources per point. Information you use from various sources needs to be credited in your speechInformation you use from various sources needs to be credited in your speech

Plagiarism Careful of Plagiarism Careful of Plagiarism HGeneral information does not need to be credited HHowever, you must quote exact facts, opinions, and information gained from the research or insight of others. HA brief statement giving credit is all you need. According to an article about interest in last week’s Newsweek……. According to an article about interest in last week’s Newsweek……. Jim Hawkins, in his book entitled Cheerleading Is for Me, suggests that…... Jim Hawkins, in his book entitled Cheerleading Is for Me, suggests that…...