Basic Speech Basic Speech StructureStructure

PurposePurpose

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

The second step is to The second step is to determine the determine the Time LimitTime Limit for for the speech.the speech.

Know Yourself and Your Know Yourself and Your AudienceAudience

Answer the questions on the Answer the questions on the Speech Inventory worksheetSpeech Inventory worksheet to help you decide what to to help you decide what to include (things that make up include (things that make up who you are)who you are)

Once you know the purpose of Once you know the purpose of the speech, you should the speech, you should complete an complete an Audience Audience AnalysisAnalysis form form

Choose a TOPICChoose a TOPIC

Once you have determined your Once you have determined your interests and knowledge base, interests and knowledge base, and once you have determined and once you have determined your audience, environment, your audience, environment, time of day, equipment time of day, equipment available, purpose and time available, purpose and time limit, limit, choose your topicchoose your topic

Make sure it is interesting and Make sure it is interesting and appropriate for all of the aboveappropriate for all of the above

Choose a TOPICChoose a TOPIC Choose a topic that interests youChoose a topic that interests you Choose a topic that will interest Choose a topic that will interest

your audienceyour audience Choose a topic that you know Choose a topic that you know

something aboutsomething about Choose a topic that fits the Choose a topic that fits the

parameters of the assignmentparameters of the assignment Choose a topic that you are Choose a topic that you are

excited about (if you don’t care, excited about (if you don’t care, we won’t care)we won’t care)

Basic OrganizationBasic Organization

Every story, lifetime, book, Every story, lifetime, book, paper, movie, and speech will paper, movie, and speech will have a Beginning, a Middle, have a Beginning, a Middle, and an Endand an End

In speech structure, these are In speech structure, these are called the called the Introduction, Introduction, Body, Body, andand Conclusion Conclusion

Basic OrganizationBasic Organization

When writing your speech, When writing your speech, always write the always write the BODYBODY first… first… why?why?

The body will have The body will have 3 main 3 main pointspoints

Each main point should be Each main point should be supported by evidence, supported by evidence, anecdotes, examples, analysis, anecdotes, examples, analysis, etc.etc.

The BODYThe BODY Determine your 3 main points by Determine your 3 main points by

choosing your desired patternchoosing your desired pattern Time – past, present, futureTime – past, present, future Spatial – local, state, nationalSpatial – local, state, national Problem, Cause, SolutionProblem, Cause, Solution Topical – who, what, why…Topical – who, what, why…

The “ABCs”The “ABCs” Stop, Look & ListenStop, Look & Listen Background, characteristics, Background, characteristics,

accomplishmentaccomplishment

The BODYThe BODY Each main point needs Each main point needs

SUPPORTSUPPORT Evidence (research) may include Evidence (research) may include

facts, direct quotes, statistics, etc.facts, direct quotes, statistics, etc. Anecdotes – jokes, personal Anecdotes – jokes, personal

storiesstories DefinitionsDefinitions ExamplesExamples Expert TestimonyExpert Testimony ANALYSIS (relate everything back ANALYSIS (relate everything back

to your main point)to your main point)

Support and AnalysisSupport and Analysis Under each main point, include Under each main point, include

examples, stories, and a VISUAL examples, stories, and a VISUAL AID.AID.

Be sure to explain any Be sure to explain any claimclaim that that you makeyou make

Ex. “Music has played a big part Ex. “Music has played a big part in my life…”in my life…” now, follow that up now, follow that up with “why,” “how,” “in what with “why,” “how,” “in what ways,” etc…ways,” etc…

That’s support with analysis!That’s support with analysis!

TransitionsTransitions Indicate movement through Indicate movement through

the Speechthe Speech Make your speech easy to Make your speech easy to

follow alongfollow along ““not only,” “but also, “in not only,” “but also, “in

addition,” “however,” “so…”addition,” “however,” “so…” Needed Needed between each main between each main

pointpoint and and between the Intro, between the Intro, Body & ConclusionBody & Conclusion

Visual AidsVisual Aids Choose appropriate items that will Choose appropriate items that will AIDAID

your speech visuallyyour speech visually (do not use a (do not use a Power Point to do your speech for you)Power Point to do your speech for you)

PRACTICEPRACTICE your speech with your Visual your speech with your Visual Aids ahead of timeAids ahead of time

Choose the appropriate Choose the appropriate timetime to show your to show your V.A. V.A. during each main pointduring each main point

Do not pass your V. Aids around the Do not pass your V. Aids around the room, as this will distract from your room, as this will distract from your speechspeech

Be sure to explain the Be sure to explain the significancesignificance of of each!!each!!

IntroductionIntroduction

Attention-getter Attention-getter (shocking stats, rhetorical (shocking stats, rhetorical question, opening story, quotation, anecdote, funny question, opening story, quotation, anecdote, funny quote/joke, etc.)quote/joke, etc.)

Credibility Credibility (why you are in a position to speak (why you are in a position to speak on this subject) (ex. As a student, as an American, on this subject) (ex. As a student, as an American, my grandmother suffered from heart disease, etc.)my grandmother suffered from heart disease, etc.)

Link to the Audience Link to the Audience (how this will relate to (how this will relate to us – ex. “As students, you should be concerned…,” us – ex. “As students, you should be concerned…,” “Someday this could affect someone you love…”)“Someday this could affect someone you love…”)

Thesis statement Thesis statement (your speech topic)(your speech topic)

SIGNPOST SIGNPOST (a preview to your main points)(a preview to your main points)

IntroductionIntroduction

Don’t ever begin your speech Don’t ever begin your speech with “ok” or “um” or “ok, I’m with “ok” or “um” or “ok, I’m going to begin.” Just jump right going to begin.” Just jump right in with your ATTENTION-in with your ATTENTION-GETTERGETTER

Be sure to have clear and Be sure to have clear and definite parts of the Introdefinite parts of the Intro

ConclusionConclusion

NEVER end a speech with “That’s NEVER end a speech with “That’s it,” or “ok, I’m done.”it,” or “ok, I’m done.”

Be sure to include the very Be sure to include the very important parts of the Conclusion: important parts of the Conclusion: the the SUMMARYSUMMARY and the and the CLINCHERCLINCHER

Hints: the Hints: the SummarySummary is the same is the same as your as your SignpostSignpost & the & the ClincherClincher can round out the can round out the Attention Attention GetterGetter!!

Delivery DOs and DON’TsDelivery DOs and DON’Ts Don’tDon’t hide behind or hold onto hide behind or hold onto

the podium when you speakthe podium when you speak DoDo use controlled gestures to use controlled gestures to

help you illustrate your pointshelp you illustrate your points Don’tDon’t write out your speech or write out your speech or

else you will read to us, and that else you will read to us, and that is not the goalis not the goal

DoDo speak from an Outline, speak from an Outline, PRACTICE to be able to be free PRACTICE to be able to be free from your notes, and speak from your notes, and speak conversationally to your audienceconversationally to your audience

Delivery DOs and DON’TsDelivery DOs and DON’Ts Don’tDon’t be silly or distracted by be silly or distracted by

audience membersaudience members DoDo use controlled humor and/or use controlled humor and/or

jokes to entertain your audiencejokes to entertain your audience Don’tDon’t chew gum, put hands in chew gum, put hands in

pockets, cross arms or legs, or pockets, cross arms or legs, or shift weight/rockingshift weight/rocking

DoDo stand straight and tall, and stand straight and tall, and practice to avoid nervous practice to avoid nervous mannerismsmannerisms

DO ADD ENERGY!DO ADD ENERGY!

Make sure you are smiling and Make sure you are smiling and friendly to your audience during a friendly to your audience during a speechspeech

Make sure you PRACTICE for the Make sure you PRACTICE for the time limit, and to reduce time limit, and to reduce nervousnessnervousness

PRACTICE using your Visual Aids, PRACTICE using your Visual Aids, and plan out when they will be and plan out when they will be shownshown

Have FUN with this one!Have FUN with this one!