Building Content for Your Speech

Types of Support: Examples Why examples are effective: They give an audience a secondary “picture” of the speaker’s idea. They help an audience make logical connections between new ideas and ideas with which they already identify. They bring relevance to a subject and allow an audience to see why the material is, indeed, important to them.

How to Use Examples Examples can be short to quickly support an idea. Examples can be lengthy to bring more substance to a possibly less-understood idea. Examples can be authentic to give credence to something that has already occurred. Examples can be hypothetical to pose a future possibility. Examples should connect to the presented idea. Examples should be relevant to the audience. Remember “less is more”: Sometimes overtly graphic words or thoughts negatively impact an audience. If examples are hypothetical, rather than authentic, should be revealed.

Types of Support: Stories Why stories are effective: Human beings love telling stories and hearing stories. Narratives help people connect to each other’s experiences. Stories help a speaker infuse creative, vivid language.

How to Use Stories Keep story length relative to the overall speaking time. Find stories of real people or historical figures. Consider personal experiences as a basis; if you feel uncomfortable “owning” the experience, use a fictitious name. Begin a story in the speech introduction and then interweave it through the speech content. Ensure that the language used for the story is appropriate to the topic and audience. Consider delivery modifications for a story. If the story requires energetic delivery, adjust vocals and facial expressions accordingly. Heavily emotional stories provide better impact after hard facts.

Types of Support: Statistics Why statistics are effective: Statistics help people determine tendencies among groups. Statistics use real numbers that most people can comprehend. Statistics substantiate facts.

How to Use Statistics Be certain to cite the source of the statistics; do not simply say “studies show.” Ensure that statistics are updated and that the source is credible. Don’t use statistics gratuitously. Only use statistics when they work in favor of the point being made. Beware of too many statistics. An audience can become overwhelmed by numbers quickly. If possible, use a visual aid for increased audience comprehension.

Types of Support: Facts Why facts are effective: Facts involve concrete ideas about people, events, dates, and places. Facts involve “hard” research, which validate a speaker’s claim. Facts help a speaker build credibility. An audience is more likely to accept a speaker’s point of view when assertions are supported by solid evidence.

How to Use Facts Make sure that all facts come from credible and viable sources. Facts should come from a variety of sources. Attempt to check facts via several sources to ensure unified perception. Facts should be up-to-date. Beware of using irrelevant facts, which can change the scope of the thesis statement. Always cite the source of the facts.

Types of Support: Testimony Why testimony is effective: A speaker enhances credibility by adding credibility of experts. Testimony can often reveal the “voice of the people.” Testimony can substantiate a speaker’s written facts. Testimony can add first-hand insight into a particular issue. Testimony can outline opposing viewpoints.

How to Use Testimony Use expert testimony when authority is needed to validate information. Use lay testimony for eyewitness accounts or as a representative voice of regular citizens. Ensure that the person spoken to is credible. Ensure that the person spoken to is unbiased and honest about their position. Do not quote the source out of context. You may paraphrase testimony as long as the intended meaning is unchanged. Differentiate whether the testimony contains facts or opinions. Represent your source properly to the audience.