Writing and Responding to a Good Speech

The 4 Methods of Speaking There are 4 methods of speaking: Extemporaneous Impromptu Memorized Manuscript

Extemporaneous A speech that is carefully planned, outlined, and rehearsed. It is not memorized. The speaker just knows the general direction and concepts covered in the speech’s intro, body, and conclusion. Of the 4 methods, this is the most preferred because it allows for flexibility in delivery.

Impromptu This means “spur of the moment” There is typically no fore-warning This typically causes stressful and unfocused speaking

Memorized This is where the speaker delivers a “word for word” speech using no aids. It is expected to be delivered VERBATIM This is the worst type of speech to give because the speaker cannot adapt to the needs of listeners. It will cause a STILTED delivery because attention will be focused upon remembering word sequence rather than communicating ideas

Manuscript Typically used in television, radio, or in extremely formal occasions when exact wording and timing are essential. To read a speech well from manuscript requires special attention to: Establishing lengthy eye contact Making the speech sound “talked” and not “read”

Getting your speech ready There are 6 steps to preparing a great speech. When you are assigned a speech, progressively do each of the following in order to prepare and present a successful speech!

Step One: Determine the General Purpose of the Speech: There are 3 general purposes of a speech: To Inform To persuade To entertain

To Inform To make your audience understand an idea. Examples: How to swing a golf club The three steps to getting an “A” in government The writers behind The Office – 2009 Lincoln’s assasination – one theory 9/11 – a government conspiracy

To Persuade To influence an audience’s beliefs To intensify an audience’s feelings To get immediate action You must state as a proposition for change You are attacking a local, state, or government issue and demanding a policy change.

To Entertain To amuse the audience with humor and curious bits of information Not a series of jokes or one-liners Often involves several personal stories

Step two: Select and Narrow your subject This is where you what you will talk about Be sure you consider time allotted for your speech to determine how far down you must break your general topic. This is where you select your SPECIFIC PUROSE of your speech. While most English classes would call this purpose a thesis statement, in speech, we call it your assert statement.

Step two: Select and Narrow your subject Factors to keep in mind: Select a subject you know something about Select a subject that interests you – if you show interest, or passion, your audience will too!! Choose a subject in which you can interest your audience Select a subject that you can discuss fully in the time allowed!! LIMIT, LIMIT, LIMIT!!

Step 3: Analyze your audience and the occasion Interview your audience, so you can custom-make your speech for that particular group Consider the age, sex, interests, and attitudes of your audience when preparing your speech. Consider the occasion: is it Formal? Serious? Dignified?

Step 4: Gather Material Always consider multiple places to gather material or conduct research Look at: Yourself: What do you already know about the subject? Observe others: Do some first-hand observations of the thing your are interested in speaking about Converse with authorities: Talk to people who are respected within your topic’s field. Outside sources: internet, magazines, books, blogs

Step 4: Gather Material Remember to ALWAYS cite your information both within the speech and to your audience – typically with an “According to…” statement. Always include a SEPARATE WORKS CITED page In the English world, we use MLA version 7. The best source (with the most up-to-date info) can be found at: www.purdueowl.com

Step 5: Outline the Speech We will be using a VERY SPECIFIC and LOGICAL outlining format. It is structured in the way that a listener thinks. Your grades will rely VERY HEAVILY on you understanding the proper format that we will use when outlining our speeches. You will be graded on using the proper stair-step method which we will learn later.

Step 5: Outline the Speech To start off, realize an outline is broken into three main areas which are separated by major and minor transitions.

Step 5: Outline the Speech The Intro Capture – grab your audience’s attention Motivate – make them want to listen to your information Assert – give the general purpose of your speech Preview – give the specific sub topics coming up in the body of your speech

Step 5: Outline the Speech The Body: Consisting of your three main points, which are supported by sub points. Each main point and sub point are linked together with major and minor transitions.

Step 5: Outline the Speech The Conclusion: Re-state Assert – Re-tell your audience the general purpose of your speech Re-State Preview – Re-tell your 3 specific body points (using different wording than you did in the intro) Call to Action – Ask your audience to do something (try, taste, argue, fight, experience) Round Off – However you grabbed our attention, try to finish in the same, yet different way. Like if you started with a quote, finish with a different, but totally relatable quote.

Step 6: Practice!!! With outline in hand, practice in front of a mirror, saying the speech OUT LOUD! Practice until you know your speech VERY WELL! After practicing several times and using your outline as a manuscript, set the outline aside. Try presenting your speech without using your outline.

Step 6: Practice!!! If you forget where you are, look at the outline. Your goal is to rely less on your outline and more on the ideas that are coming up in your speech. As you start to know the direction of your speech, think about adding pauses and gestures to help add emphasis to your speech.

Works Cited Tanner, Fran. Creative Communication – 5th Edition.Logan,IA: Perfection Learning Corporation, 2003. Print.