Organizing Your Speech

Organizing Your Speech Part 1 The Introduction

The Introduction • Your speech should be divided into three distinct parts. • When presented effectively, will make a positive impression. • Part 1- Introduction • Part 2- Body • Part 3- Conclusion

The Introduction • Important to get off to a good start • Supplies momentum and confidence to complete task • Psychologically, some speakers say Intro is the toughest part of speech • Find out whether audience accepts you • Sets the tone for remainder of speech

Function of an Introduction • 1. Have you ever heard the saying, “Let a smile be your umbrella”? What about the observation, “Laugh and the world laughs with you”? Both of these statements deal with how a positive attitude and a sense of humor can make a bad situation a little bit better for both of you and the people around you. • 2. However, did you know that your ability to laugh can mean a great deal more than a pleasant smile or momentary delight? As a matter of fact, laughter can be very beneficial in many ways. • 3. Consequently, I would like to discuss the various areas in your lives where laughter can play a significantly positive role. • 4. Let’s take a look at how laughter can help you on the job, with your friends and family, and with your health.

Function of an Introduction • 1. Have you ever heard the saying, “Let a smile be your umbrella”? What about the observation, “Laugh and the world laughs with you”? Both of these statements deal with how a positive attitude and a sense of humor can make a bad situation a little bit better for both of you and the people around you. • This information might encourage an audience to listen

Function of an Introduction • 2. However, did you know that your ability to laugh can mean a great deal more than a pleasant smile or momentary delight? As a matter of fact, laughter can be very beneficial in many ways. • There is a clear connection made between the introductory material and the speech topic.

Function of an Introduction • 3. Consequently, I would like to discuss the various areas in your lives where laughter can play a significantly positive role. • Clearly defines what the speech will be about. • 4. Let’s take a look at how laughter can help you on the job, with your friends and family, and with your health. • Clear statement of the areas that will be discussed in the speech.

Function of an Introduction • An introduction does four things • Gets the attention of the audience • Provides a clear link from your attention-getter to your speech topic, or thesis statement • Gives your specific thesis statement • Presents a preview of the major areas that will be discussed.

Attention-Getters • The first words you say to an audience must make them want to listen to you. • Your attention-getter should match your personality and purpose/tone of speech • Q’s to ask: • What works for me • What do I feel comfortable presenting

Attention-GettersAsking Questions • Get audience members directly involved in what you are saying. • A Q or series of Q’s fires up their curiosity about topic and makes them active participants.

Attention-GettersAsking Questions “The Power of Word Building” How many of you know the meaning of the word verisimilitude? Do you know what veracity means? What about the word verity? Well, all three of these words have something to do with the word truth, and I wouldn’t be telling you the truth if I didn’t confess that I had to look these words up in a dictionary. However, building vocabulary is a challenge that each of us should accept if…

Attention-GettersAsking Questions “Shifting the Blame” Have you ever heard someone say, “The devil made me do it”? Have you ever heard the expression “Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault”? If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, then you would probably agree with me that many people in today’s society find it easy to make excuses and blame someone or something else for their problems. I would like to talk about…

Attention-GettersAsking Questions • Q’s can provide an attention-getting spark. • If you ask audience members to respond by raising hands or speaking out loud, beware! • Promotes an involved/spirited audience • Can lead to chaos and loss of concentration if responses don’t turn out as expected.

Attention-GettersAsking Questions • Rhetorical Questions are best • Don’t demand a verbal response • Asking to answer silently in head • “Safe” Q’s = Answer themselves • “Do any of you like to get your feelings hurt?” “Do any of us in this room want our friends or families to join the thousands who die each year because of people who drink and drive?” • These don’t demand a response, but challenge audience to think.

Attention-GettersMaking References • Allow you to work well with your audience, physical surroundings, other speakers who are on the program, or the significance of the occasion. • Allows you to be comfortable, congenial, and conversational with audience by including in your opening remarks. • Audiences like to be included, and including them provides a speaker-audience unity that says, “You and I are in this speech together!”

Attention-GettersMaking References Example I see that John and Ina are in the audience. When we first started this class project over two months ago, they were the ones who provided the leadership and enthusiasm that the rest of us needed at that time. The word leadership is exactly what I wish to talk about tonight because…

Attention-GettersMaking References Another Example For some reason, every time that we are in this auditorium, the air-conditioning is out. Maybe we should all bring our own fans next time. However, the temperature might not be the only thing that is “sticky” tonight. My topic, “Why AIDS Needs to Be Talked about in Schools,” could also make some people warm and uncomfortable. I have confidence, nevertheless, that if we work together…

Attention-GettersMaking References • Use good taste and common sense • Might be risky to make a casual reference to someone in the audience whom you barely know. • In general, audiences appreciate a speaker who shows that he or she is aware of and in tune with what is happening.

Attention-GettersMaking a Startling Statement • Sometimes the best attention-getter is one that jolts your audience into paying attention. • The following example is from a student who spoke to a high school about the problems associated with violence in society. While she spoke, she comfortably moved her right hand as if she were “keeping the beat” to a song she heard.

Attention-GettersMaking a Startling Statement I love music. I love dancing. I love how men and women, young and old, rich and poor, can move and smile and laugh and keep the rhythm to their favorite songs. However, today I’m not here to talk about music—because, ironically, every time that my hand comes down to “keep the beat,” a young child is physically or sexually abused in this country. And the violence is real…

Attention-GettersMaking a Startling Statement • If you were in that audience, you would probably be immediately drawn in by the speaker and the tremendous power of her message.

Attention-GettersMaking a Startling Statement • Startling Statistics • While conducting your research, notice any data or studies that might surprise the listeners and make them even more interested in the topic. • 1 in 10 families will be victims of drunk driving incident. • 1 in 5 people will be victim of violent crime • Use the numbers to quantify the extent of the issue in our lives and to grab the audience’s attention. • Don’t provide offensive material to startle

Attention-GettersGiving a Quotation • Quotation = repeat the exact words that someone else has said. • Add a degree of style and sophistication to speech presentations. • Abundant and fairly easy to find one that fits your needs. • Choose quotations that are clear and appropriate for topic. • Select authors who are reliable and can be trusted. • Good practice to give audience some idea of who your author is and what he or she has done that is noteworthy. Audiences are more likely to be impressed if the sources that you are quoting are impressive.

Attention-GettersGiving a Quotation “What Has Happened to Friendship” “First in war—first in peace—and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” These are the words that began Revolutionary War General Henry Lee’s famous funeral oration for George Washington. The quotation shows us a man of conscience and a man who cared for his fellow man. However, do we care for our fellow man today the same as Washington did in his day? I would like to take a look at…

Attention-GettersGiving a Quotation • This example immediately gives the speech an academic and historical flavor. • Henry Lee’s words say to the audience, “Take this speech seriously and give it your attention, please!” • Next example starts with a similar historical quotation.

Attention-GettersGiving a Quotation “Americans—Why Are We So Gullible?” “You can fool all of the people some of the time and you can fool some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Abraham Lincoln, the author of this quotation, might have added the words “except in America,” because Americans are often easy prey for those wishing to make a fast buck. Let’s examine why Americans are so gullible and take a look…

Attention-GettersGiving a Quotation • Quotes don’t have to be serious • Doesn’t have to have been delivered by someone who lived centuries ago • Take the time to search through your resources so that you can find the quotation that will be the perfect attention-getter for your speech.

Attention-GettersTelling a Story • One of the most popular: The Narrative, or the telling of a story • Everyone loves a story, especially one that is told well • Illustrations and personal accounts can give you a quick “in” with audience • Gives your personality a chance to work • Short and to the point • Don’t lose sight of purpose of speech • Best hold interest of audience yet lead clearly into your speech topic

Attention-GettersTelling a Story • Ask yourself: • Have you had a “special” experience? • Have you gone through a heart-stopping ordeal that you would like to share? • Such experiences make good stories.

Attention-GettersTelling a Story Example A few weeks ago, my mom and dad had gone out for the evening and I was alone at home. About 2:00 a.m. I heard a noise by the downstairs window. Even though I hoped that the sounds would go away, they didn’t. As a matter of fact, they got louder. It sounded as if someone were struggling to reach the latch of the window (cont.)

Attention-GettersTelling a Story Example cont. I was petrified, but somehow I managed to go downstairs. Slowly, I moved the curtain to see what was outside. You can imagine my fear when I saw two eyes looking right back at me! It was a raccoon. The good news is that, in this instance, I was able to deal with my fear. The bad news is that I almost collapsed in the process. What does fear mean and how can we…

Attention-GettersTelling a Story • Stories can be insightful • Fun to deliver and for your audience to hear • Don’t have to be personal • Can be interesting accounts about other people, places, events, etc. • Any story can be effective if it sets the mood you are after and creates an effective picture in the minds of your listeners that relates to your speech thesis.

The Link • Most often overlooked aspect of Introduction. • Purposes • Statement b/n attention-getter and thesis and logically connects the two (does little good to have a clever attention-getter if audience sees no relation b/n it and focus of speech) • Develops a “bridge” b/n audience and topic (want to connect to audience so they are motivated to listen to topic)

The Link • Like the attention-getter, you are continuing to draw in their interest by helping them to understand the value of the topic. • Helps audience feel listening will be worthwhile. • Motivation may stem from showing audience how speech has common ground—or relevance to their lives.

The LinkExample “I’m going to let you in on a secret that will change your lives. Girls, for just $10, you can learn what makes a guy fall in love and how to make him want you! The right way to flirt! If you act now, we’ll rush you our best-seller, Secrets of Kissing. You see, it’s all part of the ‘Get Him System,’ G.H.—a no-fail love guide that tells you the truth. No more old-fashioned advice that you already know.”

The LinkExample Believe it or not, this is more than a mere attention-getter for my speech. This is taken from an actual ad found in the February edition of Young Miss magazine. (LINK TO TOPIC) My speech for today will deal with one of the words in the last sentence of the ad. old-fashioned; for it is my opinion that, contrary to what is stated in the Get Him ad, maybe a sense of old-fashioned tradition is exactly what we need in today’s society.

The LinkExample (LINK TO AUDIENCE) According to William Bennett, former Secretary of education and noted author, “Increasingly, Americans are lacking a solid grounding in traditional values.” Therefore, I would specifically like to examine some traditional American values…

The LinkExample • Attention-getter is clearly explained • Ad & old-fashioned linked to speech thesis • Step further, pointed out significance of topic (more and more Americans not receiving an adequate “values education”) • Credibility gained by using noted author

The Link • Can be more than one sentence • Usually one sentence can do the job • Effectiveness & Impact of attention-getter and speech thesis enhanced when link statement connects • Stand a better chance of connecting with your audience.

The Thesis Statement • Tells your audience exaclty what you will be speaking about. • A catchy attention-getter and smooth link to a vague thesis statement may cause your speech to be unclear. • Purpose of speech is to tell audience something worthwhile, that is your thesis statement. • Never want audience to wonder, “What is this speech about?”

Thesis Statement • How to make your audience aware of thesis • Say it • “This leads me to my thesis, which is…” • Should clarify the overall goal of your speech (to inform, to persuade, or to entertain) and state your specific topic

Thesis Statement • Inform • Today, I will inform you about… • My goal is to explain… • With this information, I hope you will better understand… • Persuade • I want to persuade you that… • My goal is to convince you that… • It is my belief that each of you should…

Thesis Statement • Should also clarify the angle or slant of your topic. • Music vs. Different types of summer music programs offered by your community vs. Distinct benefits to joining the school’s marching band • Audience deserves to know exact point of your speech • Keeps you focused and your information on target.

The Preview Statement • Usually one sentence at the end of the introduction that gives the audience an overview of the major areas that will be discussed in the body of the speech. • Examples • Negative effects of alcohol • Preview: alcohol’s physical, mental, and societal effects. • Success Stories in the Olympics • Preview: physical and mental preparation

Preview Statement • Major areas mentioned will be repeated later in the body of your speech with specific examples. • Not all speeches have a preview statement. • Audience members can’t catch everything the first time; might miss main points when said within body. • Preview tells audience where speech is heading, and makes the body easier for listeners to follow.

Organizing Your Speech