How to Give a Speech

June 8, 2005

Tips for picking a topic:

* Don't pick a topic that is too big of broad. You have a limited amount of time for each speech so you need to pick a topic that can be completed or covered in the allotted time.

* Don't pick a topic that is too technical or obscure.

Places to find topics:

* Newspaper

o School Newspaper

* Television

* Magazines

o Discover magazine

o Scientific American

o National geographic

o Martha Stewart Living

o Newsweek

o Time

The general purpose is always 2 words

Ex. To demonstrate, to inform, to persuade

GPS- GENERAL PURPOSE STATEMENT

SPS - SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMTENT

SPS= GPS + "my audience" + your specific topic

Guidelines for writing the specific purpose statement:

 The SPS should be a full sentence, not a fragment.

 The SPS should be a statement, not a question.

 Avoid figurative language in the SPS. (Ex. "best," "greatest")

 Limit the SPS to one distinct idea.

 The SPS should not be too vague or too general.

 The SPS should be very specific.

Central Idea Statement:

CIS= SPS+ main points

In the spoken speech, the CIS appears two times.

1. At the end of the introduction to preview the speech

2. At the beginning of the conclusion to review the speech.

To inform my audience about ------ by first discussing------, second, -----, and finally ----.

As you add in the main point, simply put in the words "first," "second," "third" etc. as needed.

(This will help your audience follow along with your speech organization)

Example CIS:

SPS= to inform my audience of the three major uses of pyramids in ancient Egypt.

I. Pyramids were used as tombs for the burial of monarchs.

II. Pyramids were used as temples for worshiping the gods.

III. Pyramids were used as observatories for studying the stars.

CIS:

To inform my audience of the three major uses of pyramids in ancient Egypt by first discussing how pyramids were used as tombs for the burial of monarchs, second by talking about how pyramids were used as temples for worshiping gods, and finally by explaining how pyramids were used as observatories for studying the stars.

Words to use: explain, discuss, show, talk, about, elucidate, clarify, reveal.

Transitions:

They transition from one part of the speech to another part.

To write a transition, you just take the main point of the previous section of the speech and combine it with the main point of the next section.

Main point + main point.

Ex.

I. The supplies needed to make a piсata.

II. How to construct the main frame of the piсata.

III. How to decorate a piсata.

The transition would be....

Now that I have discussed the supplies needed to make a piсata, I will show you how to construct the main frame of the piсata

Internal Previews

Internal previews combine with transitions - so they go in the same spots as transitions within the speech.

Formula for an internal review and transition is:

Main point + sub points + Next main Point

Formula for a transition and an internal preview is:

Main point + next main point + sub point

Info given to do example:

I. The origins of Valentine's Day

a. Valentine's day has its roots in both roman and Christian tradition

b. Valentines, a roman prisoner sent the first "Valentine" to a guard's daughter.

c. Pagans honored the Goddess Juno, on Feb 14.

II. The symbols associated with Valentine's day

Make an internal review:

Now that I have discussed the origins of Valentine's Day by first telling you about Valentine's Day having roots in both roman and Christian tradition, second by explaining how Valentine, a roman prisoner sent the first Valentine to a guard's daughter. And finally by showing how Pagans honored the Goddess Juno on Feb 14, next I will discuss the symbols associated with Valentine's Day.

Chapter 5 - - Analyzing the Audience

June 13, 2005

We need to understand our audience so that we can construct our speech to be of maximum interest to our audience.

Audience Analysis

Steps to audience analysis:

1. Audience centered

There are three questions to ask yourself to make sure