Use The Following Steps To Prepare Your Speech Select A Goal

Use The Following Steps To Prepare Your Speechselect A Goal For Your

Use the following steps to prepare your speech: Select a goal for your speech. Brainstorm ideas of topics you know something about and that are important to you. Determine what kind of audience you’ll speak to, how large it is, and what the occasion is. Develop a speech goal statement tailored to your audience. Gather, evaluate, and prioritize information to use in your speech. Organize your ideas by creating a well-structured outline, including main points and a thesis statement. Develop and outline the body of the speech with an appropriate organizational style. Create an introduction that captures attention and establishes relevance, a clear thesis, and a conclusion that summarizes main points and provides closure. Compile a list of sources and select presentation aids to enhance your speech, ensuring they are appropriate and effective. Practice your speech thoroughly, including rehearsing with visual aids and in front of others, until you can deliver it confidently, within the time limit, and without reading. Record your practice and review the recording to identify and correct any issues. Once satisfied, record the final speech, starting by stating the audience you are addressing, and ensure it meets the assignment requirements.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of preparing a speech involves several deliberate and strategic steps designed to ensure clarity, engagement, and effectiveness. A crucial initial step is selecting a clear and meaningful goal for the speech. This goal guides all subsequent preparation and presentation efforts. Brainstorming plays a vital role here, where an individual explores various topics they are familiar with and that hold personal significance. Such topics might include a cherished pet, an impactful teacher, or a memorable job experience. This phase should take approximately one hour, encouraging reflection on personal experiences that can resonate with audiences.

Following brainstorming, understanding the audience and context is essential. Determining the audience's size, composition, and the occasion for the speech shapes the content and delivery style. For example, a speech about a pet’s antics aimed at a local Humane Society might differ significantly from one designed for high school students at a science fair. Tailoring the speech to meet the audience’s interests and expectations increases its impact.

Once the topic and audience are defined, the next step is developing a clear speech goal statement. This single sentence communicates the intended takeaway, whether it aims to inform, persuade, or entertain. For instance, if the speech is about a pet, the goal might be, “I want people to know how much fun I’m having with my dog, Charlie.” Such a statement aligns message and purpose. A related step involves gathering and evaluating additional information—reviewing credible sources to compile relevant data. This ensures the speech is well-informed and offers accurate insights, while also highlighting key facts that support the main message. Less relevant data should be set aside but kept accessible for potential audience questions.

Following research, organizing ideas into a coherent structure is fundamental. An outline featuring three to five main points helps in creating a focused and memorable speech. These points are integrated with the speech goal statement to form a compelling thesis. Developing the main points thoroughly requires approximately two hours, emphasizing clarity, logical flow, and supporting evidence. A suitable organizational style—chronological, spatial, or topical—should be selected based on the nature of the content. An engaging introduction is crafted to grab attention, establish relevance, and state the thesis clearly. The conclusion recaps key points, reinforces the purpose, and provides closure, leaving a lasting impression.

Effective delivery also depends on visual and audio aids. Preparing presentation aids such as slides, charts, or videos enhances understanding and engagement. These aids should be visible, audible, and appropriately timed—typically no longer than 15 seconds for short speeches—integrated seamlessly into the speech. Practicing with these aids for one to two hours refines timing and coordination. Rehearsing in front of friends or family helps identify areas for improvement, allowing for adjustments to wording, timing, and overall delivery to achieve a conversational, natural tone.

Recording the speech for review is a crucial step. After refining delivery through practice, the final speech is recorded, beginning with a statement: “The audience I’m addressing for this speech is _______.” Making sure the speaker is in focus, audible, and maintaining eye contact ensures professionalism. Reviewing the recording identifies issues related to clarity, engagement, and adherence to timing constraints. Necessary corrections can then be made, leading to a polished final presentation.

In conclusion, preparing a speech is a comprehensive process involving thoughtful planning, diligent research, organized structuring, and persistent rehearsal. Each step builds upon the last, ensuring the speaker can communicate effectively and confidently. The combination of clear goals, tailored content, supportive aids, and thorough practice results in a compelling speech that resonates with the audience and achieves the intended purpose.

References

  • Beebe, S. A., & Beebe, S. J. (2021). Public speaking: An audience-centered approach (10th ed.). Pearson.
  • Lucas, S. E. (2019). The art of public speaking (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. (2018). A speaker’s guidebook: Text and activities (6th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
  • Adler, R. B., Rosenfeld, L. B., & Proctor, R. F. (2018). Interplay: The process of interpersonal communication (14th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Gamble, T. K., & Gamble, M. (2020). Communication works (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Crenshaw, A., & Lamb, M. (2017). Effective public speaking. Routledge.
  • Harper, B., & Clark, L. (2022). Communication fundamentals for today's students. Routledge.
  • Phillips, T., & McGraw, S. (2019). Mastering public speaking. Pearson.
  • Seiler, W., & Beall, M. (2020). Public speaking: The essentials (2nd ed.). Routledge.
  • McCroskey, J. C., & McCroskey, L. L. (2020). Communication in the classroom. Pearson.