Basic Speech Structure

Purpose The first step in any speech is to determine the purpose of the Speech (ex. Persuasive, Informative, Demonstration, etc.) The first step in any speech is to determine the purpose of the Speech (ex. Persuasive, Informative, Demonstration, etc.) The second step is to determine the Time Limit for the speech. The second step is to determine the Time Limit for the speech.

Know Yourself and Your Audience Answer the questions on the Speech Inventory worksheet to help you decide what to include (things that make up who you are) Answer the questions on the Speech Inventory worksheet to help you decide what to include (things that make up who you are) Once you know the purpose of the speech, you should complete an Audience Analysis form Once you know the purpose of the speech, you should complete an Audience Analysis form

Choose a TOPIC Once you have determined your interests and knowledge base, and once you have determined your audience, environment, time of day, equipment available, purpose and time limit, choose your topic Once you have determined your interests and knowledge base, and once you have determined your audience, environment, time of day, equipment available, purpose and time limit, choose your topic Make sure it is interesting and appropriate for all of the above Make sure it is interesting and appropriate for all of the above

Choose a TOPIC Choose a topic that interests you Choose a topic that interests you Choose a topic that will interest your audience Choose a topic that will interest your audience Choose a topic that you know something about Choose a topic that you know something about Choose a topic that fits the parameters of the assignment Choose a topic that fits the parameters of the assignment Choose a topic that you are excited about (if you don’t care, we won’t care) Choose a topic that you are excited about (if you don’t care, we won’t care)

Basic Organization Every story, lifetime, book, paper, movie, and speech will have a Beginning, a Middle, and an End Every story, lifetime, book, paper, movie, and speech will have a Beginning, a Middle, and an End In speech structure, these are called the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion In speech structure, these are called the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

Basic Organization When writing your speech, always write the BODY first… why? When writing your speech, always write the BODY first… why? The body will have 3 main points The body will have 3 main points Each main point should be supported by evidence, anecdotes, examples, analysis, etc. Each main point should be supported by evidence, anecdotes, examples, analysis, etc.

The BODY Determine your 3 main points by choosing your desired pattern Determine your 3 main points by choosing your desired pattern Time – past, present, future Time – past, present, future Spatial – local, state, national Spatial – local, state, national Problem, Cause, Solution Problem, Cause, Solution Topical – who, what, why… Topical – who, what, why… The “ABCs” The “ABCs” Stop, Look & Listen Stop, Look & Listen Background, characteristics, accomplishment Background, characteristics, accomplishment

The BODY Each main point needs SUPPORT Each main point needs SUPPORT Evidence (research) may include facts, direct quotes, statistics, etc. Evidence (research) may include facts, direct quotes, statistics, etc. Anecdotes – jokes, personal stories Anecdotes – jokes, personal stories Definitions Definitions Examples Examples Expert Testimony Expert Testimony ANALYSIS (relate everything back to your main point) ANALYSIS (relate everything back to your main point)

Support and Analysis Under each main point, include examples, stories, and a VISUAL AID. Under each main point, include examples, stories, and a VISUAL AID. Be sure to explain any claim that you make Be sure to explain any claim that you make Ex. “Music has played a big part in my life…” now, follow that up with “why,” “how,” “in what ways,” etc… Ex. “Music has played a big part in my life…” now, follow that up with “why,” “how,” “in what ways,” etc… That’s support with analysis! That’s support with analysis!

Transitions Indicate movement through the Speech Indicate movement through the Speech Make your speech easy to follow along Make your speech easy to follow along “not only,” “but also, “in addition,” “however,” “so…” “not only,” “but also, “in addition,” “however,” “so…” Needed between each main point and between the Intro, Body & Conclusion Needed between each main point and between the Intro, Body & Conclusion

Visual Aids Choose appropriate items that will AID your speech visually (do not use a Power Point to do your speech for you) Choose appropriate items that will AID your speech visually (do not use a Power Point to do your speech for you) PRACTICE your speech with your Visual Aids ahead of time PRACTICE your speech with your Visual Aids ahead of time Choose the appropriate time to show your V.A. during each main point Choose the appropriate time to show your V.A. during each main point Do not pass your V. Aids around the room, as this will distract from your speech Do not pass your V. Aids around the room, as this will distract from your speech Be sure to explain the significance of each!! Be sure to explain the significance of each!!

Introduction Attention-getter (shocking stats, rhetorical question, opening story, quotation, anecdote, funny quote/joke, etc.) Attention-getter (shocking stats, rhetorical question, opening story, quotation, anecdote, funny quote/joke, etc.) Credibility (why you are in a position to speak on this subject) (ex. As a student, as an American, my grandmother suffered from heart disease, etc.) Credibility (why you are in a position to speak on this subject) (ex. As a student, as an American, my grandmother suffered from heart disease, etc.) Link to the Audience (how this will relate to us – ex. “As students, you should be concerned…,” “Someday this could affect someone you love…”) Link to the Audience (how this will relate to us – ex. “As students, you should be concerned…,” “Someday this could affect someone you love…”) Thesis statement (your speech topic) Thesis statement (your speech topic) SIGNPOST (a preview to your main points) SIGNPOST (a preview to your main points)

Introduction Don’t ever begin your speech with “ok” or “um” or “ok, I’m going to begin.” Just jump right in with your ATTENTION- GETTER Don’t ever begin your speech with “ok” or “um” or “ok, I’m going to begin.” Just jump right in with your ATTENTION- GETTER Be sure to have clear and definite parts of the Intro Be sure to have clear and definite parts of the Intro

Conclusion NEVER end a speech with “That’s it,” or “ok, I’m done.” NEVER end a speech with “That’s it,” or “ok, I’m done.” Be sure to include the very important parts of the Conclusion: the SUMMARY and the CLINCHER Be sure to include the very important parts of the Conclusion: the SUMMARY and the CLINCHER Hints: the Summary is the same as your Signpost & the Clincher can round out the Attention Getter! Hints: the Summary is the same as your Signpost & the Clincher can round out the Attention Getter!

Delivery DOs and DON’Ts Don’t hide behind or hold onto the podium when you speak Don’t hide behind or hold onto the podium when you speak Do use controlled gestures to help you illustrate your points Do use controlled gestures to help you illustrate your points Don’t write out your speech or else you will read to us, and that is not the goal Don’t write out your speech or else you will read to us, and that is not the goal Do speak from an Outline, PRACTICE to be able to be free from your notes, and speak conversationally to your audience Do speak from an Outline, PRACTICE to be able to be free from your notes, and speak conversationally to your audience

Delivery DOs and DON’Ts Don’t be silly or distracted by audience members Don’t be silly or distracted by audience members Do use controlled humor and/or jokes to entertain your audience Do use controlled humor and/or jokes to entertain your audience Don’t chew gum, put hands in pockets, cross arms or legs, or shift weight/rocking Don’t chew gum, put hands in pockets, cross arms or legs, or shift weight/rocking Do stand straight and tall, and practice to avoid nervous mannerisms Do stand straight and tall, and practice to avoid nervous mannerisms

DO ADD ENERGY! Make sure you are smiling and friendly to your audience during a speech Make sure you are smiling and friendly to your audience during a speech Make sure you PRACTICE for the time limit, and to reduce nervousness Make sure you PRACTICE for the time limit, and to reduce nervousness PRACTICE using your Visual Aids, and plan out when they will be shown PRACTICE using your Visual Aids, and plan out when they will be shown Have FUN with this one! Have FUN with this one!