How to Write a (good) Speech

You will need to take notes We will use the information on this PowerPoint for each speech There will be a quiz on the information from this PowerPoint

Don’t Let This Happen to You!

Two Main Ingredients for Successful Speeches What you say How you say it

All Speeches FOUR rhetorical goals of speeches: inform, persuade, entertain, or mark a special occasion (graduating, weddings, awards ceremonies, etc.). For your first speech you will be informing the class about your partner as well as entertaining us.

Today we’ll talk about content It doesn’t matter how great a speaker you are if you don’t have something good to say

Before you start writing……. Know what kind of speech you are writing (Inform? Persuade? Entertain? Special occasion?) Create a thesis statement – What are your trying to say? – Sum up your speech in one sentence

Basic Structure of a Speech: How to Organize Each speech needs an introduction, body, and conclusion

Introduction Does Five Things 1. Gets the audience’s attention 2. There are several different ways you can get attention Ask a question Making references Startling statement Great quotation Tell a story

Attention-Getters: Asking questions 1. Asking questions – gets audience involved 2. Be careful of asking this to the class, though. They may answer you! 3. Can also use rhetorical questions – don’t really demand a response

Attention-Getters: Making References Making references – refer to people in the audience, physical surroundings, other speakers, or significance of occasion. Use good taste and common sense!

Attention-Getters: Making a Startling Statement “Three things that describe my partner rocks, chewed gum, and corgis” Drawbacks – sometimes offends people Don’t use bad taste!

Attention-Getters: Giving a Quotation (could be a song lyric) Adds style and sophistication Could use song lyrics or someone that appeals to audience demographic Can add humor and break the ice Song lyrics are great places to find quotes A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. Chinese Proverb

Attention-Getters: Telling a Story Narrative – great way to start. Illustrations and personal accounts can quickly give you an “in” with your audience because these stories give your personality a chance to work and are so much in demand. We all love stories! Short and to the point, though. Make sure it leads to speech topic. Doesn’t have to be personal – can be from other people, places, etc. Sets the mood

2 nd thing an introduction does: THE LINK Most often over-looked part of intro Serves two purposes: statement that comes between attention-getter and thesis statement, so it connects the two. Develops a bridge between audience and topic. Connects audience so they are motivated. Only need one sentence

3 rd thing an introduction does: Thesis Statement Sentence that tells your audience exactly what you will be speaking about What is your speech about? Clarifies overall goal of you speech (to inform, persuade, or entertain) You can actually say something like “these three items – the CD, the pen from Florida, and the key chain – are all you need to know to understand who I am.”

4 th thing an intro does: Preview Statement o It gives a preview – usually the three main points – that you’ll be discussing in your speech In speeches, you will tell your audience your three points three times: in the intro, in the body, and in the conclusion. You tell them what you are going to tell them, you tell them in the body, then you remind them at the end. Tells your audience where you are heading, so it makes the body of your speech easier for your listeners to follow (listening is hard to do).

5 th part of intro: Gives credibility Answers the question "Why should we listen to YOU?" This really isn’t needed in this type of speech Give some type of factual information or some reference that will show that you know what you are talking about. Example -

Introduction Practice Writing Handout Write your introduction for your interview speech Review your notes on introductions Include all FIVE PARTS that an introduction should have.

Today’s Agenda Finish any interview speeches Calendar check – outline chapters 1 and 2 (due Wednesday). Quiz on Friday includes chapter 1 and 2 as well as PowerPoint information PowerPoint on how to write a speech – the basis for the entire course! Take notes!

2 nd major structure when writing a speech: The Body MUST use an outline. Main headings – subordination – ranking in terms of importance Supporting material (details)

The Body: Organizational Patterns 1. Chronological 2. Climatic (same most important point for last) 3. Spatial pattern 4. Cause-effect 5. Problem-solution

Imagine that you’re writing about speech about what you did during summer break Think about three main ideas. These will be the three main points of your speech. They could be: #1 – Sports #2 – Job #3 – Family Vacation

3 rd major structure: Conclusion This is your chance to leave a final impression However you end, you must fit the mood, make sense, bring some closure (so the audience knows you are done!). Don’t leave us hanging. Don’t say, “That’s all, I’m done.” A conclusion should be less than a minute. Any major points should be covered in the body of the speech.

A conclusion should contain: SIGNAL – your transition from the last main point to conclusion (audience will know you’re starting conclusion) Summary of the main points Clincher – lasting memorable idea

Four kinds of clinchers 1. Circle theory – circle back to introduction. If you used a quote for your attention-getter, use it again to end with. Or answer your rhetorical question. 2. Striking sentence or phrase ("Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!“ – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) 3. An emotional message 4. A story or anecdote

Note to myself – now go to smartboard file!

OUTLINE FORMAT FOR SPEECHES WHY??? WHY WRITE AN OUTLINE AND NOT WORD FOR WORD? WHY?

Write your outline Some speeches are written word for word, but in most situations, you will need to use note cards. Write your items on the outline. Write some descriptions about what each reveals. Transfer your outline to 3x5 note cards.

Last Summer Introductions Using the handout with details for introductions, write an introduction for your “summer” speech

Note cards On each card, list one point and a few Avoid writing entire sentences on the cards because they're harder to read at a glance and encourage you to read your speech rather than speaking to the audience. You can also write things (even in a different color) like “Slow down!” and “Breathe!” and “Smile!”

But What Do I Write?????

Always Consider Your Audience! Is the audience a group of your classmates? If so, what are some points about the topic that they might find interesting? Consider adding anecdotes from the class or peppering the speech with bits of humor to keep your listeners interested. The more you can relate it to their own experiences, the better -- and the more positively you're likely to be received.

Content: Rhetorical Devices Techniques in writing and speaking that add sparkle to your work We’ll get to these later, but if you know some – GO FOR IT! Repetition Parallel structure

What now? So right now, get started writing Start with a page of free-writing. “Three things that show who I am.” Start brainstorming and writing ideas. Keep writing even if you get stuck. 2. When you have finished, look through your writing.. Did you think of three things? 3. Once you have 3-4 things, work on the outline. Try to have basic structure written by _________.

Delivery If you can’t deliver your speech, even the best ideas will be lost.

Nerves One word: Practice Other words: You are not alone. Even more words: It will get easier.

Delivery: Vocal Control Vocal control: rate, pitch, pauses “Ums” “Ahs” “Likes” Don’t go too fast (biggest mistake) Don’t raise your voice at the end of a sentence so that it sounds like a question Speak with confidence and power!

Delivery: Eye Contact Making eye contact makes you appear confident and knowledgeable about your subject, plus it helps them feel connected to you and the topic you’re speaking about. Small audience: try to make eye contact with each person once during your presentation.

Eye contact If you're particularly nervous, you can also try looking at an object just beyond the people in the audience, such as a clock or bulletin board on the back wall of the room. This is why it’s critical to use note cards and NOT just read the speech. It’s not compelling to watch someone read.

Delivery: Body Language Gestures, Gum Chewing, Posture, hands-in- pockets, facial expressions, fiddling

And now what? You should practice your speech out loud at least FIVE times while standing up. Use note cards. This is a 50 point speech, but it counts.

And some encouragement.... You have the ability to do a GREAT JOB! Have fun Be confident! Practice, practice, practice Now it’s time to practice some vocal control....

sources oral_presentation_prep.htm