1. Planning and Gathering Information for a Prepared Speech
May 2007

2. Selecting a Topic for a Speech
1. Choose a topic that interests you.
2. Choose topic in which you have
knowledge or have an interest in becoming knowledgeable about.
3. Pick a topic of interest to your audience.

3. Possible Sources for a Speech
Personal books and magazines
Breed associations publications
Trade and business magazines
Organizations and expert interviews
Articles and Books (library sources)

4. Possible Sources for a Speech continued…
Government officials and their aides
Internet
Other sources
- Newspapers
- Almanacs and atlases
- Surveys
- Microfilm indexes
- Computer databases
- Biographical sources

5. Note Card Examples Book note card example Topic: Public Speaking
Ricketts, Leadership, Personal Development, and Career Success, p. 135
Effective communication should influence others. It can change their attitudes or behaviors.

6. Note Card Examples continued…
Magazine note card example
Topic: Public Speaking
Effective public speaking cannot be accomplished without proper research. Knowledge of the subject is vital.
Speaking Without Fear, Journal of Public Speaking , p.2

7. Note Card Examples continued…
Source citation examples
In a speech on goal setting, delivered to the Georgia FFA Association State Convention last May, National FFA President Hillary Smith said . .
In an interview with Tommy Irvin, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture said …
According to an article on public speaking in the May 1998 issue of FFA New Horizons . . .
In a recent research report cited in the September issue of the Public Speaker’s Monthly . . .

8. Introduction
Speeches are given to inform the audience, persuade the audience, or to integrate the members of an audience.
People also listen for the same reasons
Speaking skills increase a person’s effectiveness and influence the decision of others.
Speaking in public is an art form nearly as old as humanity itself.
Effective public speaking is INFLUENCE.
INFLUENCE IS LEADERSHIP!!

9. PLANNING A SPEECH As as a speech is planned, consider the following:
PURPOSE
AUDIENCE
OCCASION
If you can empathize with the audience, you will be able to plan a better speech!

10. Analyze the Audience
Keep in mind the following 3 questions when analyzing your audience:
To whom am I speaking?
What do I want them to know, believe, or do as a result of my speech?
3. What is the most effective way of composing or presenting my speech to accomplish my aim?

11. Select a Topic Choose a topic that interests you.
Choose a topic in which you are knowledgeable or want to become knowledgeable.
Choose a topic of interest to your audience.

12. FFA Topic Areas
When searching for a topic for an FFA speech consider using these three general areas:
Production Agriculture
Agribusiness
Agriscience

13. Gather Information Benjamin Franklin once said:
“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
Without solid material, your speech will fold like Franklin’s bag.
Start research by checking personal books and magazines.
Consult organizations and experts.
Do research in a library and use the librarian to help you search.

14. Gather Information
If the subject is controversial, make sure to get expert opinions from both sides of the issue.
Speaker’s can find quotations to support their ideas in sources such as:
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotes
Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
Granger’s Index to Poetry

15. Record your Ideas
When gathering material, write each item of information on a note card with:
Name of Source
Page #
Author
Use quotations and statistics when they are needed to make a point.

16. Make an Outline
To help you recognize the speech’s strengths and weaknesses.
To help you organize and develop your ideas.
To help you save time when writing the speech.

17. Outline Format
Main Points are indicated by Roman Numbers ( I, II, V, VI)
Major Subdivisions by capitol letters (A, B)
Minor subheadings by Arabic numbers (1,2)
Further subdivision by lower case letters (a,b,c,d,k,t,)

18. Outline Example TITLE INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION First Main Point
Sub point #1
Sub point #2
Second Main Point
CONCLUSION

19. WRITE THE SPEECH Write the way you talk!
Write the Body of the Speech first.
Begin with the main points.
Arrange them in logical order or sequence.
Then write the Introduction.
Finally, write the conclusion

20. Write the Speech
“Words, are the garments with whish speakers clothe their ideas.” J. Regis O’Connor
Wise speakers choose their words carefully.
Choose effective language.
Refrain from using statements that defame other people or organizations. (Ethical Issues)

21. Introduction Do something to gain the audiences attention: Tell a joke
Pound the speaker’s stand
Make a loud noise
Ask a question
Tell a story
Use a quotation
Use a personal reference
Create suspense
Give a compliment

22. Introduction
The introduction must grab the attention of the audience, but it must also focus on the goal of the speech.

23. CONCLUSION All’s Well that Ends Well - Shakespeare
Summarize the main points. Have a call to action. What do you want people to do now that you have pursauded/informed them?
Use a story.
Be humorous.
Appeal and
Make an emotional impact.

24. Practice the Speech Practice Time Limits Practice Methods
School Classes and Teachers
Home and Mirror
Auditorium
Civic Organizations
THE VIDEO CAMERA

25. THINGS THAT NEED PRACTICE
Your Smile
Gestures
Head and Eyes
Sincerity

26. Present the Speech A good speech starts with good preparation.
Things to consider when giving speech:
Being Deliberate
Using the Hands (Need to appear natural)
Using the Body (Do not sway, rock, fidget)
Humor
Dress and Physical Appearance
Where to stand
Notes
Special Considerations

27. Answer Questions
If you are asked questions afterwards, keep the following in mind:
Be deliberate, take time to think through answer and then reply.
Be complete
Answer with confidence
If you do not know the answer, says so without hesitation, do not bluff.
If you did not hear or did not understand the questions, ask the person to repeat or rephrase.

28. FINALLY, Listen and Evaluate
Evaluate speeches and presentation after each time.
Evaluation allows for an analysis of where the speech went right and/or wrong.

29. Other Points To Consider
Keep the voice well modulated, use variety of pitch and tone.
Strive for correct pronunciation and enunciate clearly.
Cultivate a sincere interest in people.
Constantly strive to increased your vocabulary.
Open the speech with a sentence that will secure the attention of the audience.
End the speech in a forceful manner.
Take appropriate pauses and don not allow yourself to run out of breath.
Maintain good posture while speaking.