Step-By-Step Guide to Preparing Your Speech

I. Step One: Decide on a Topic and Purpose

I. Select a topic or theme that reflects your individuality—please don’t recite your life story.

II. Develop a thesis statement that clearly describes what you want to say.(Zarefsky, p. 29, 116-118)

A. Definition: A thesis statement states the idea of your speech in one sentence.

B. Examples:

1. There are three reasons why I want to be an engineer.

2. My trip to Europe taught me the importance of learning a new language.

3. My hometown of Columbus, Ohio was a great place to grow up.

III. Determine your specific purpose for giving this speech.

A. What exactly do you want the audience to know about you once they have heard your speech?

B. Examples:

1. To tell my audience about how being short has influenced my life.

2. To share my experience of volunteering as a Big Sister.

3. To tell my audience why I want to be a teacher.

II. Step Two: Organize Your Speech in a 3-Part Framework

I. Determine the possible main points for your speech.

A. Limit yourself to 2 or 3 main points for this 2-4 minute speech.

B. Each main point should be a major idea relating to your thesis statement.

II. Arrange your main points in an organizational pattern best suited to your topic (Zarefsky, pp. 205-209).

A. If your speech proceeds through time (chronologically), use a sequential design.

B. If you want to show how things are related in space or geographically (such as a trip to Europe), use a spatial design.

C. If you want to describe how a significant event changed your life or why you chose a certain path, use the causation design.

D. If you want to share why you or your topic is similar to someone or something else, use the comparative design.

E. If your speech has no “natural” order or is best related by sub-topics or categories, use the categorical design.

III. Support your main points with examples, facts and figures, narratives, and testimony.

IV. Link your main points together with transitions (Zarefsky, pp. 242-247 ).

V. Prepare an introduction for your speech.(It’s easier to write an introduction after you have developed your main points!).(Zarefsky, pp. 31, 222-232).

A. Include an attention-getter.

B. Include your thesis statement.

C. Preview your main points.

VI. Prepare a conclusion for your speech. (Zarefsky, pp. 34, 234-239).

A. Briefly review/summarize your main points.

B. Re-state (or re-phrase) your thesis statement.

C. Include concluding remarks to tie your speech together and give your audience something to remember.(“I’m done” and “That’s it” don’t count!)

III. Step Three: Prepare Your Full-Sentence Outline.

(Zarefsky, pp.37-38. Also the examples on pp. 263-267, 270-271. Also, see the outline format.)

A. Don’t forget the heading information including: the general purpose, specific purpose, thesis statement, and organizational pattern of your speech.

B. Use standard outlining format and indentation.

C. Use only one complete sentences for each point.

D. Check your spelling and proofread for errors.

IV. Step Four: Condense Your Speech into a Key-Word Outline

I. Select key words and phrases from your preparation outline.

II. Create a key-word outline that will fit on a single sheet of paper or 3 index cards. These are just suggested lengths—use what suits you best, but try to use as few words as possible to keep you from reading your speech. .

V. Step Five: Practice, Practice, Practice

I. Using your key-word outline, practice presenting your speech—out loud—at least three times.

II. Time yourself.For this 2-4 minute speech, shoot for 3 to 3½ minutes.

A. If you have more than 3 main points, your speech is probably too long.Try cutting one of the main points or some of the supporting material.But remember to leave in enough material to make your point.

B. If your speech is too short, add some more supporting material under your main points. If you have only 1 or 2 main points, try to think of another one.

C. Remember to revise your introduction and conclusion to reflect any changes you made to the body of your speech.

III. Practice both verbal and nonverbal delivery.

A. Practice in front of a mirror or with a friend so that you can work on your gestures, movements, and facial expressions.

B. Make sure that your voice is loud, clear, expressive (not monotone) and that you’re not speaking too quickly.

1. Try recording yourself to hear your verbal delivery.

2. When you want to say “um” or “like”, just breathe instead. This is a hard habit to break, but you can do it if you concentrate.

3. Plan your opening and closing remarks so that your eyes are on the audience, not your notes.

VI. Step Six: Be Ready on the Day of Your Speech

I. Try to get a good night’s sleep the night before your speech.

II. Don’t overload on caffeine, sugar, or carbonated beverages before your speech.

III. Dress in clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.

IV. Bring the following to class on the day of your speech:

A. Speech evaluation form from website.

B. Presentation (full-sentence) outline (to turn in, do not speak from this outline).

C. Key-word outline/note cards.

Remember that everyone gets nervous before speaking in public. Your butterflies, pounding heart, and dry mouth are normal, natural reactions. Take deep breaths and try to relax.

This information is also located in Week 2 of Blackboard. You can go straight to the site this is taken from JP Jackson, Associate Professor at University of Colorado at Boulder. http://comm.cooardo.edu/jjacksson/1300/guide.htm

Kudos to everyone!

I was so nervous for our first speech, and I am sure I'll be pretty nervous for the next. I wanted to thank everyone for helping me through it, even if you don't think you did anything. You were all very respectful and considerate to each and everyone who stepped up to the podium. I'm very glad to have finally forced myself to take this class, it looks like we have a good group of people! Thanks!!

Oh, and everyone did an awesome job!

Speeches

I just want to commend everyone in the class for their informative speeches. When I talk a class I try to get the most out of it. Sometimes that's hard when some fellow students don't take is serious. I was concerned about that with this class because it is a tough thing to do (public speaking).

Also I really don't know why most of you were scare because it did not show. Good job!!!!