Chapter Five Giving It a Try: Preparing Your First Speech

Table of Contents zA Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process zTaking the Plunge*

Giving It a Try: Preparing Your First Speech zThe best way to overcome speech anxiety is to deliver a speech.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process zWhen preparing your first speech, you needn’t know all the conventions of speechmaking, but you will need a brief overview of the ten-part speechmaking process.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process zSelect a Topic zAnalyze the Audience zState the Speech Purpose zCompose a Thesis Statement zDevelop the Main Points zGather Supporting Materials zSeparate the Speech into its Major Parts zOutline the Speech zConsider Presentation Aids zPractice Delivering the Speech*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Select a Topic zUnless the topic is assigned, let your interests and your passions be your guide. zPersonal interest in the topic ensures you will bring enthusiasm to the project. zBe certain your topic will be of equal interest to your audience as well.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Analyze the Audience zAudiences have personalities, interests, and ambitions, all of which affect their receptiveness. zLearn about the differences and similarities among members of your audience: zBegin with easy-to-identify demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. zNext, consider how different people might think or feel differently about your topic.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: State the Speech Purpose zOnce you have a topic, the next step is to decide what you wish to convey about it and why. zIs your general purpose to inform, persuade, or mark a special occasion? zYour speech should also have a specific purpose (a definite statement of what the speech will accomplish for the audience).*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Compose a Thesis Statement zOnce you’ve identified your speech purpose, you need to compose a thesis statement that expresses your central idea. For example: yGeneral Purpose: To persuade ySpecific Purpose: To persuade my audience that Congressional term limits should be eliminated yThesis: Because of congressional term limits, many highly qualified politicians have been forced out of office.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Develop the Main Points zOrganize your speech around two or three main points. zIn an informative speech, these are the primary pieces of knowledge. zIn a persuasive speech, these would be the key arguments favoring your position. zThe main points will be identifiable if you clearly state the specific purpose of the speech.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Gather Supporting Materials zUnless your speech is about yourself, plan on researching your topic for supporting materials. zSupporting materials clarify, elaborate, and verify the speaker’s ideas.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Separate the Speech into its Major Parts zThe three major parts of your speech are the introduction, body, and conclusion. yThe introduction alerts your audience to your specific speech purpose. yThe speech body contains your main points and subpoints, all of which support your thesis. yThe conclusion reiterates how your main points confirm your speech purpose and thesis.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Outline the Speech zOutlines provide the framework upon which to arrange main points in support of your thesis and subordinate points in support of your main points. yCoordinate Points have equal importance: xI. Main Point 1 xII. Main Point 2 ySubordinate Points have lesser weight: y1. Main Point 1 xA. First Level of Subordination xSecond Level of Subordination*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Consider Presentation Aids zConsider whether using visual and auditory aids will help your audience understand your points.*

A Brief Overview of the Speechmaking Process: Practice Delivering the Speech zThe success of your first speech depends on how well you prepare and practice. zPractice your speech at least six times. zUse a tape recorder.*

Taking the Plunge zWhile your first speech should be simple and fun, you will need to consider each of the steps and gauge your anxiety. zThink positively!*