How to Structure Your Speech FROM: http://www.nsknet.or.jp/~peterr-s/public_speaking/simpleoutline.html

Tuesday, May 14, 13

The Basic Structure of a Speech

All speeches contain at least three parts:

An Introduction - In the Introduction, you state the topic of your speech. You tell the audience the main points of your speech. In other words, you say what you are going to speak about.

A Body - In the Body, you speak about each point in detail. For each point you must give the audience some evidence or information that will help explain and support each point. The Body is the longest of the three parts.

A conclusion - In the Conclusion, you should summarize the main points of your speech, and emphasize what you want the audience to remember.

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Make an Outline

An outline is a way to organize your ideas logically and clearly.

Without making an outline your speech will probably lack structure, and so be difficult to understand.

By using a presentation outline, you can "see" the structure of your speech. In addition, It can also serve as your speaking script.

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Example

When making an outline you should not write full sentences, but just key words and phrases.

1. Introduction

What is the topic of your speech?

Why should the audience listen to your speech ?

What will your main points be?

2. The body

What are your main points and ideas (sub-topics)?

What is your supporting evidence and information (sub-sub-topics)?

3. The conclusion

What were the main main points of your speech, and what do you want the audience to remember?

Source: http://www.nsknet.or.jp/~peterr-s/public_speaking/simpleoutline.html

Tuesday, May 14, 13

More about “Introduction”

Includes an attention getter piques the audience interest and gets them to listenShould be the very first thing you say before you reveal your topic

Create a connection between speaker and audience

Has a clearly stated thesisA creative statement with one ideathat introduces your topic and focuses the attention of the audience on your main goal

Offers a previewA statement that tells the audience about the main things you will discuss in the speech

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Ways to Support the “Body” of Your Speech

Includes:

Support Devices, Visual Aids, and Vocal Citations Support Devices:

This is basically a way of presenting your research using these methods. ExamplesAnecdotesAnalogiesQuotesStatisticsDefinitionsCompare/Contrast

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Concluding Your Speech

Recap Main Points/Relevance

Wrap up with a Clincher Statement(memory aid or support device are great to use here)

Use Clear Polished Ending

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Remember......

Once you have the basic structure of your speech, it’s time to add variety and interest. Giving an audience exactly what it expects is like passing out sleeping pills. Remember that a speech is more like conversation than formal writing. Its phrasing is loose – but without the extremes of slang, the incomplete thoughts, the interruptions that flavor everyday speech.

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Ways to Spice Up Your Speech

Give it rhythm. A good speech has pacing.

■Vary the sentence structure. Use short sentences. Use occasional long ones to keep the audience alert. Fragments are fine if used sparingly and for emphasis.

■Use the active voice and avoid passive sentences. Active forms of speech make your sentences more powerful.Source: Public Affairs Council (pac.org)

Tuesday, May 14, 13

Continued...■Repeat key words and points. Besides helping your

audience remember something, repetition builds greater awareness of central points or the main theme.

■Ask rhetorical questions in a way that attracts your listeners’ attention.

■Personal experiences and anecdotes help bolster your points and help you connect with the audience.

■Use quotes. Good quotes work on several levels, forcing the audience to think. Make sure quotes are clearly attributed and said by someone your audience will probably recognize.

Tuesday, May 14, 13