Basic Speech Structure

I.                   Introduction

A.                 Attention getter

B.                 Psychological Orientation (Why should you listen to me?)

C.                  Logical Orientation (Why should you care about my topic?)

D.                 Thesis Statement & Preview of Main Points

[   Transition to first point  ]

 

II.                First Main Point

A.                 Subpoint

     1.                 Supporting Materials

B.                 Subpoint  

     1.                 Supporting Materials

[   Transition to second point  ]

 

III.             Second Main Point

A.                 Subpoint

     1.                 Supporting Materials

B.                 Subpoint  

     1.                 Supporting Materials

[   Transition to third point  ]

IV.              Third Main Point

A.                 Subpoint

     1.                 Supporting Materials

B.                 Subpoint  

     1.                 Supporting Materials

[   Transition to conclusion ]

V.                 Conclusion

A.                 Review of Main points

B.                 Psychological Closure

C.                  Clincher

Chapter 10: Arranging Points

¢  Arranging Points

—  Arrange your main points in a pattern that makes sense for the topic and the thesis statement

¢  Chronological

¢  Ideas are based in a time sequence

¢  Ex. European Music: Baroque Period, Classical Period, Romantic Period

¢  Spatial Pattern

¢  Based on geography

¢  Ex. Crime: Eastern Seaboard, Midwest, Pacific Coast

¢  Cause-Effect

¢  Problem-Solution

Chapter 8: Research

¢  How to Start Researching:

—  Sources of Information:

¢  Internet (Lexis-Nexis, academic journals)

¢  Library (books, encyclopedias, DVDs, etc.)

¢  Experts (your dad)

—  Formulate questions:

¢  What do you want to find out about your speech topic? Write a list of questions that you can answer throughout your research.

¢  This will help structure your research and be a way to know when you have “finished.”

¢  Learn the Lexicon

—  As you research you will discover new terms that are specific to the field

¢  Write down terms that are used frequently

¢  Make a list of definitions

¢  Learn to “talk the talk”

—  This will help you understand your research and add to your credibility

¢  Interviewing

—  Types of experts

¢  Educators

¢  Public Officials

¢  Agencies or Non-Profit Organizations

¢  Athletes

¢  Doctors

¢  Accountants

¢  Any professional

—  Make a list of questions

¢  Avoid vague questions

¢  Don’t disagree, argue, or interrupt

¢  Send a thank you note

¢  Record Your Sources

—  Use MLA or APA as your format for recording your sources

¢  Online resource for MLA citation

¢  Online resource for APA citation

—  Find an organizational system that works for you

¢  Note cards

¢  Notebook

¢  Word Document

—  Record quotes and data in a way that you can easily find it later

Chapter 7: Understanding Your Audience

¢  Research your audience & their attitude on your topic

• Use direct observation
• Conduct a survey to see what they already think about your topic
• Conduct an interview
• Use common sense

¢  Analyze the audience demographics

• What is the average age of your audience?
• What different ethnicities are represented? What proportions?
• What religious groups are represented?
• What genders are represented?

The big take home message from this chapter is simple: Adapt your language and style to suit your audience.

You Rock!

Chapter 6: Topic Selection & Analysis

•          Select a Speech Topic:

o   Draw from your own experiences, beliefs, and interests

o   What unusual experiences have you had?

o   What special knowledge or expertise do you have?

o   What strong beliefs or opinions do you have?

o   Do you have an interesting background? o   What would you like to know more about?

•      Select a topic that is appropriate to the audience and the occasion

o   Make a list of who will be at the event.

o   What are their expectations?

o   Ask yourself, “what would I sit still to hear?”

o   Clarify the purpose of your speech:-

• Narrow your topic

• After you know how long you have to speak, select one specific facet of your topic to focus on.
• Start with “China”-> End up with “China’s Natural Resources”
• Start with “School Dress Code” –> End up with “FM High School should enforce school uniforms”
• This will give added depth to your speech

• Identify what you are trying to do.

• Are you trying to change people’s minds?
• Entertain them?
• Teach them something?

• Three main purposes of speaking:

• To inform
• Explain, instruct, define, clarify, demonstrate, or teach
• To persuade
• Influence, convince, motivate, sell, preach, stimulate action
• To evoke
• ·         Entertain, inspire, celebrate, commemorate

• Create a thesis statement:
• A clear statement that states the essence of your speech content
• Sometimes referred to as the “central idea”
• It will announce your topic and what you plan on doing with the topic
• Soda machines should be banned from public school properties.
• Music programs should always have financial support.

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Notes from 10/22

I loved our first class today. I think we are going to have a great time learning about public speaking together.

Here's what we covered today:

• Talked about the syllabus
• Looked through the text book to see how it was organized
• Explained the class assignments
• Talked about your learning style
• You are a visual learner- so we will have lots of video and have PowerPoint presentations
• Explained how the blog will work as a way for us to communicate during the week
• I will post videos for you to watch and post notes from our class
• You are encouraged to make comments
• Brainstormed where you can deliver your persuasive speech and potential topics
• Activity Night opening exercises- Spiritual Thought?
• Possible topics: Music and the Spirit
• Covered important ideas from Chapter 4: Overcoming Fear of Speaking
• (I will have a separate post with highlights from this chapter.)
• Read "Language" section in "For the Strength of Youth."
• Application to public speaking: When we use "clean and intelligent language" it is "evidence of a bright and wholesome mind." It is important to establish your credibility to your audience. When you speak with uplifting and clean language it shows your audience you are smart and they should listen to you.
• Introduced the "Question Bag" 
• This is to help us develop our extemporaneous speaking skills. In other words, this exercise will  help us learn to quickly develop speaking points and deliver a smart speech in a minute's notice.
• You did a fabulous job with your first two!