Chapter 2Developing Your

First Speech

Why prepare?

• Preparation helps speakers avoid three challenges:– Leaving too little time for planning and

practicing– Focusing on requirements rather than quality– Failing to follow the assignment

The classical approach to speech preparation: Cicero’s Canons

• Cicero (106-43 B.C.E.), a Roman lawyer and politician, developed five keys to speech preparation in his treatise De inventione :– Invention– Arrangement– Style– Memory– Delivery

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Analyze your audience

• Learn about your audience's interests and backgrounds.

• Use knowledge of the audience to anticipate their attitudes.

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Select your topic

• Choose one that interests you.

• Avoid overused topics.

• Narrow topic to fit the time limit of your presentation.

Preparing your First Speech

• Generate potential topics based on your interests.

• In class exercise

Developing potential topics:

Mind mapping

• Writing down an initial word or phrase and then surrounding it with additional words, pictures, and symbols

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Create a thesis statement

• A single sentence that sums up your main message or bottom line.

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Organize and outline the

body of your speech

• Generate the three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

• Create 2-5 main points in the body.• Develop subpoints for each main point

following the rules of subordination.

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Outline your introduction

and conclusion • Your introduction has five parts:

– The attention-getter is a brief story, quote, or fact that grabs listeners’ attention.

– Your thesis statement conveys the main message.– Show an audience “what's in it for them”.– Establish credibility by outlining relevant expertise

you have.– Preview your main points.

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Outline your introduction

and conclusion

• The conclusion has two parts:– Summary of the main points.– Clincher: a vivid closing sentence or

paragraph.

Preparing and delivering your first speech: Incorporate transitions

• Sentences that tell the audience that you are moving from one point to another:– Use from the

introduction to the first main point.

– Use between main points.

– Use from the final main point to the conclusion.

Overcoming speech anxiety• Stage fright is common and some of it is

okay.• “You may not be able to get rid of the

butterflies, but you can at least get them flying in formation.”