Preparing a Speech Recommended Steps

Steps – Speech Preparation 1. Analyze audience and occasion 2. Select topic; narrow topic 3.Write purpose statement (tentative) 4.Do basic research, then pick main points 5.Do focused, in-depth research 6.Refine purpose statement, if necessary 7.Prepare body of speech – main points, sub pts. 8.Supports – examples, stories, facts & figures 9.Prepare visual aids (Powerpoint, demonstrations, etc.) 10. Prepare introduction & conclusion 11. Select and refine title 12.Practice

Step 1 -Analyze Audience and occasion Think about your audience demographics demographics what they already know what they already know attitudes, beliefs, values attitudes, beliefs, values Understand the occasion why this audience, at this time? why this audience, at this time? what will success look like? what will success look like?

Step 2 – Select & narrow topic Topic that will hold audience interest Topic that will hold audience interest Topic that has abundance of supports Topic that has abundance of supports Suitable for the occasion Suitable for the occasion Can it be discussed in depth? Can it be discussed in depth? Can it meet time limit? Can it meet time limit? Is enough information available? Is enough information available? Is it too broad? Is it too broad?

Step 3 – Purpose Specific Purpose: Objective of speech What do you want the audience to know? What do you want the audience to know? What do you want them to take away ? What do you want them to take away ? Find ways to keep audience interest Find ways to keep audience interest

Step 4: Main Points Go to web, library and explore topic Go to web, library and explore topic Tentative list of main points Tentative list of main points (2 – 4 main points for normal speech ) (2 – 4 main points for normal speech ) Used as guideline to start Used as guideline to start May refine/revise after research May refine/revise after research

Step 5: Research Gather information Library Library Internet Internet Interviews Interviews Use: facts, descriptions, examples, statistics, illustrations, stories, quotes statistics, illustrations, stories, quotes

Step 6: Refine Purpose Aim for precision and clarity Aim for precision and clarity One sentence - central idea summarizing your objective: One sentence - central idea summarizing your objective: “ Today I’ll explain the three steps to building a thermonuclear bomb.” “ Today I’ll explain the three steps to building a thermonuclear bomb.”

Step 7: Body of Speech Determine main points Determine main points Determine organizational pattern Determine organizational pattern sequential sequential spatial spatial topical topical cause & effect cause & effect problem-solution problem-solution Sub-Points; Sub-sub points Sub-Points; Sub-sub points Transitions Transitions

Step 8: Supports Look for more supports Look for more supports Lots of examples, stories, visuals, handouts, artifacts, etc. Lots of examples, stories, visuals, handouts, artifacts, etc. –Remember: audiences love to listen to stories about people and events.

Step 9: Visual Aids Required for all presentations in Com 1545 Required for all presentations in Com 1545 Should highlight specific points Should highlight specific points Should not cover entire speech Should not cover entire speech Should mix graphics with key words Should mix graphics with key words Should not contain sentences Should not contain sentences Insert blank slides to switch attention back to you ? Insert blank slides to switch attention back to you ?

Step 10: Introduction & Conclusion Introduction: Introduction: gain attention gain attention establish credibility establish credibility relate speech to listeners relate speech to listeners preview topic & main ideas preview topic & main ideas Conclusion: Conclusion: summarize main idea(s) summarize main idea(s) relate message to listeners relate message to listeners meaningful closure meaningful closure

Step 11 – Pick a Title The title should excite curiosity – it’s a tease The title should foreshadow your message The title should be memorable

Step 12: Practice Start with a rough topical outline Start with a rough topical outline Then move to a formal sentence outline Then move to a formal sentence outline Move to brief speaking notes Move to brief speaking notes Practice with visual aids Practice with visual aids Practice in front of friend/family Practice in front of friend/family