About Me
- Brendan
- I am a professional educator by trade, but by my definition, I am much more than that. I wear many hats; including, but not limited to, Father, Husband, Son, Step-Father, Ex-Husband, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Super Geek (love technology), Trainer, Coach, Student, Writer, Dreamer, and Leader. For fun I am an avid golfer and consider myself a blessed individual because I have the greatest wife in the world that loves to golf with me.
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
Lesson 11 Organizing Your Speech
Create Main Points that will Express Your Main Ideas
 |
| Organize Your Thoughts First |
Body of Speech-Main Points, Supporting Points, & Transitions
Main Points
All your main points will come from your Thesis Statement.
Limit your main points between 2 and 5.
Make sure that each main point focuses on ONE idea.
Write out each main point in a full "purposeful" sentence.
Make sure the main point statements support the Thesis Statement.
State your main points in a logical order.
Supporting Points
Supporting points do what they say, they support the main points.
Use different research/material from different sources for supporting points (This creates credibility and support to your speech).
Use research material as supporting points.
Make sure the supporting points align with the main point.
Make sure you are using well documented supporting points (especially if using facts and statistics).
FYI on Main and Supporting Points
Make sure each point supports the main or thesis. Think of it as a hierarchy (supporting supports main supports thesis).
Keep information in a logical, "free-flowing" order.
Keep transitions from main point to supporting point to next main point to supporting point, etc., smooth in its transitions.
Dedicate "roughly" the same amount of time on each main point and supporting points.
Good rule of thumb to have the Introduction + Conclusion = the same amount of time as the main body of the speech.
Check List
- Are the most important ideas in your speech expressed in the main points?
- Are any key ideas implied by your thesis not addressed by main points?
- Does each supporting point offer sufficient evidence for the corresponding main point?
- Do your supporting points reflect a variety of appropriate supporting material, such as examples, narratives, testimony, and facts and statistics?
- Does each main point refer directly to your specific purpose of thesis statement?
- Does each point focus on a single idea?
- Do your main points follow logically form your thesis statement?
- Do your supporting points follow logically from the main points?
- Do you spend roughly the same amount of time on each main point?
- Is each main point substantiated by at least two supporting points?
Use clear transitions to move from one point to another.
Use full-sentence transitions to move from one main point to another.
Prepare the audience for transitions.
Use "mini-summaries" to help audience review what's been said.
Transitional Words and Phrases
FUNCTION | EXAMPLE |
To show comparison: | similarly, in the same way, likewise, in comparison, just as |
To contrast ideas: | on the other hand, and yet, at the same time, in spite of, however, in contrast |
To illustrate cause and effect: | as a result, therefore, hence, because, thus, consequently, so the evidence shows, for this reason |
To illustrate sequence of time or events: | first, second, third, following this, before, after, later, earlier, at present, in the past, until now, tomorrow, next week, eventually |
To indicate explanation: | to example, to illustrate, in other words, to simplify, to clarify |
To indicate additional examples: | not only, in addition to, let's look at To emphasize significance: most importantly, above all, remember, keep in mind |
To emphasize significance: | most importantly, above all, remember, keep in mind |
To summarize: | as we have seen, altogether, in summary, finally, in conclusion, let me conclude by saying |
Here's a basic outline form
Thesis statement
A. Main Point
1. Supporting Point
2. Supporting Point
B. Main Point
1. Supporting Point
2. Supporting Point
C. Main Point
1. Supporting Point
2. Supporting Point
Conclusion
Questions
- How does having supporting points from different resources give your speech credibility?
- What is the benefit and drawback of creating two outlines? Have you ever given a speech that you "bombed"? What do you think you would do differently preparing for that speech?
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I think it is important to use different sources throughout your speech. If I only used one source for my entire speech, I would only be using one person’s ideas and point of view. That would be similar to plagiarizing, because I am getting all of my information from one set of ideas that have already been published. However, if I take my information ideas from multiple sources, then I am able to choose what I think is important, and mold it into my own argument and ideas. Also, one website or article might have biased or otherwise inaccurate information. By using several sources, I can compare information, and compile what I think is fair, accurate and important. An audience will be more likely to take me seriously if I look like I have done my research and looked at several sources, rather than just opening gone book, and copying the information down into my speech.
How the topic is developed and supported is one of the most important elements in a good quality speech. So making sure you have reliable resources to give you information to better support your topic or given matter is also very important. Overall, having supporting points from different resources gives even those points better reliability. It shows that you found multiple places with the same information. Having supporting points from different resources gives your speech credibility because more than one resource had the same information, which makes it seem more likely to be true or yet truer. Different resources also provide better support for your thesis or topic. Your audience won’t just take your word for it. They want the truth and multiple different sources, give better reasoning and support to your topic. Your audience will be more entertained and accepting when you use personal examples AND different resources to help support a given matter.
The best speech I have ever given was so successful because I had a very clear main point, or thesis, that I quoted multiple times through out the speech. Having one main point allowed me to narrow my research and find different perspectives and sources to back it up. Up to that point I had always written my speeches with an intro, three main points, and a conclusion. This can be very effective but I realized I was spreading myself too thin and my old speeches lacked depth. Adding multiple sources as evidence of one main thesis increased the legitimacy of my speech by giving different perspectives. Nearly all information has a bias or opinion attached to it so it helps to present more than one source. This is also beneficial because if people in the audience miss some of your speech they can still be persuaded and convinced with another source. Public speaking would be the bomb if every audience hung on every word but that is not the case. That’s why you tell them what you are going to say, say it, and then tell them what you just said. Adding in extra sources gives a you chance to say it again and leave them remembering what you intended them to.
When creating two outlines, your chances of combining ideas and becoming confused increases. Which main point went with what two sub points and which point came first with which thesis? That is how it can feel sometimes when there are two different outlines that you have created for the same speech. On the same note though, having two outlines will allow you to pick which speech will flow best with your audience. Both are prepared, it is just a matter of getting a feel of the people listening and then deciding which of the outlines will correlate best with those in attendance. A couple of weeks ago, I experienced the drawbacks of not having two outlines written for a talk that I was to give in my church meeting. I prepared the day of, gathering all of the references and stories that I wanted to use and then trying to fit it all together in a way that made sense. Frantically, I stood up and followed the short outline that I had made and found that it didn’t get my message across as clearly as I would have liked. This taught the importance of preparing early so that I would have been able to have a second draft to follow which might have helped my talk to flow more smoothly.
From my studies and listening to your lectures in class, it has become apparent that preparation is key. The benefit to creating two outlines is that you have thought through two strategies to approach an idea. By completely going through the process of delivering an idea twice, it helps you internalize the information that you are trying to convey. When I was being taught proper preparation, I was taught an effective analogy. A mentor of mine taught me to envision well. In order to have water to draw from, you first have to fill up the well with water to draw from. You always want to have more water in the well than you “need for survival.” Though you aren’t going to be using all of the water, you need to have enough to work with for your needs. By preparing several ways to present your topics, you’re adding “water to your well” of thought. That way, when you need to draw on that information, it’s well rehearsed and ready to be used.
In response to question one, I feel that there are a couple reasons that using several sources to support your speech, gives you credibility. The first reason being that is shows that you have done a lot of research on the topic that you are presenting. For example, if someone was giving a speech and kept quoting the same source, they would sound like that was the only place that they did searched for information on the topic. The second reason is closely related to the first, if you explore more sources you will discover things that you didn’t know and also be able to get other views and opinions on the topic that you are covering. This will help you more thoroughly cover your material and will increase your credibility and effectiveness as a speaker.
In response to question one, I think it is important to have various supporting material from multiple resources because not only does it build your credibility, it makes you look more intelligent and the right person for the speech. In my Philosophy class, we discussed that it is much better to have a small organized library than a large unorganized one. Referring to what information you have and when you use it; it is much better to know you're information well rather than just a lot barely. For example, if you are giving a speech on fish and you go on about piranhas and reference the same informational book throughout, you will sound silly! But if you talk about the whole piranha family and where they live and reference three or four books, it flows much better and you don't run out of things to say! It's a simple concept with an odd example but I have found it to be true many times. You just have to find that balance between having enough information from enough sources to having too much filler words and boring your audience.
One problem I foresee in having two outlines is that you are going to wear yourself out in doing research. You will have one outline that you are leaning more towards and so you are going to put more energy into preparing that outline. By the time you get everything prepared for that outline you will not be nearly as motivated to build an equally effective second outline ( you don't feel like you'll even use the second one, that's why you put so much into the first one ). The problem then is that when you are ready to give your speech and you start with your first outline then you realize your second one is better, you then are going to try to combine outlines which can just be confusing and a disaster. If you are really good at being dedicated and organized though having two outlines gives you the option to meet the requirements of the audience more readily.
Well, one speech that i think I didn't do too good on was my first one in this class. I had to introduce my classmate in front of everyone. I was insanely nervous and when It was finally my turn to do it, I struggled a bit. I had my index card in my hand (which I think I read off of mostly) and it was shaking nonstop. I kept saying “ummm” and “annndddd”. It was not a very fun experience for me and Im sure everyone in the class could tell I was uncomfortable. If I could go back and prepare differently, I would have changed quite a few things. First off, I would have wrote my notes differently. I felt as though I had way to manny things written down on my notecard. Also, I would rehearsed it more out loud, just to get a feel for how it was going to be done. Third, I wish I just would have had fun with it. I think that would have made my speech go more smoothly.
2. What is the benefit and drawback of creating two outlines? Have you ever given a speech that you "bombed"? What do you think you would do differently preparing for that speech?
I think drawing two outlines is a very useful and smart thing do to. When you have several different ideas they can be organized in different ways. If you make two outlines you can test the flow of each one, and see which one gets your point across better. Sometimes making another outline can help you generate more ideas that weren't on the first and take different directions on supporting points. The more knowledge and ideas you can create on your topic, the more prepared you are for your speech. One downfall though is that it takes more time to complete two, and sometimes us college students are just down right lazy! We usually only do what we can get by on, but for an A+ speech i definitely think writing two outlines would be the best idea! Just make sure you know which one you really want to use and practice it.
Outlining is a must in the speech world for me. I always have to make sure I know exactly what I am going to say and have it perfectly rehearsed. I hate not having prep time to make something the best it can be, I feel nervous and unorganized which makes me even more nervous to speak in front of a larger crowd. A speech that I recently just “bombed” was our last speech in class. I didn’t know where to pinpoint my two or three main topics and I didn’t know what I was even saying at the time. I need to learn how to stop, think, and then speak. If I do that I truly believe I would do much better in “winging” a speech. Having two outlines gives you the opportunity to have an option on how you want to go about a speech and I think it is a prime opportunity to get a sense of experience.
Having two outlines is very smart to do in a speech. Because with each one you have more ideas in, and you have a lot more to talk about, and you are able to make all your points you want to make, and your speech is just a lot better. I totally bombed my impromptu speech, I know it's kind of an easy one to bomb, the thing is, I like dressing nice, but I have no idea about fashion, haha if I were to be able to talk about being married, then I would have totally rocked it, because I had many points to talk about, like how we met, why we decided to get married while I was a senior, and there were so many things to talk about on just those two points, or what my wedding day was like, or the hardest thing about being married. I think if I were to ever have another impromptu speech, I would think for just a second about the points I want to talk about, and not just wing it, and talk about whatever comes to my mind. But I definately think that it is easier to talk about something your passionate about cause you could really tell when they talked about the sports they loved. It was really fun to watch them.
Many people are willing to believe a speaker because of a variety of reasons, they want to, they respect the speakers authority, his/her points make sense, etc. Or, as is often the case, they already believe the speaker before he/she even starts talking because they have a shared value system on the subject. I try not to be this kind of person. Even if I believe, or for a better term, agree with the speaker, I like to hear the other side’s argument/s. I believe a speech has much more persuasive power, and carries a higher level of intellect when it’s willing to bring up contradictions and do it’s best to explain them away. There are almost always good points to both sides of an issue, and if the speaker happens to be a professional in a certain field, it’s useful for him/her to back up his/her points with other sources who both agree and disagree with his/her findings/beliefs.
Having multiple supporting points from different resources can give your speech credibility in many ways. I think that it shows you have actually done some research on the topic. That way, people are more likely to be convinced that you are an expert on the subject that you are presenting. I think that one way you can show credibility is getting different people that are experts on the topic. If you better understand the subject you are presenting you will definitely sound more believable. So you need to actually do some research on the supporting points. You need to make sure that they are credible resources like we talked about in past lessons. A lot of people that stick with one supporting point don’t sound as credible as a person who has multiple supporting points. You want to convince your audience that you are knowledgeable about the subject.
Question #1
Having supporting points from many different sources creates a lot of credibility for your speech because it gives it more structure. If someone walked up to you and said that you should buy a product, lets use a face lotion for an example, then you would of course question them to figure out why you should buy it. And most likely you won't be convinced to buy it. But if you were to go home and later on hear a few friends talking about how amazing this lotion is, you would be tempted to buy it. That is a a really simple example, but I think it's something we can all relate to. Same with a whole bunch of other stuff, from writing papers to purchasing cloths and food. You're most likely to buy something if you know that a lot of people have backed it up. It's a very popular marketing technique actually, and people will believe and buy what you're trying to sale/ the point you're trying to make if you have it backed up more.
Throughout college I've been able to write a number of research/essay papers. The first few papers I wrote I used very limited resources. Since my english 2010 class my papers have never been the same. One of the biggest things that changed my essays were the amount of credible resources I used. Understanding how to find and use credible resources makes a huge difference. My arguments got stronger with each resource that I used. If you can find multiple resources backing up a certain point it is going to be much more credible to anyone the paper is presented to. My friend is writing a twelve page senior thesis paper. Her topic is "How people express themselves through body art". Because she is majoring in integrated studies (Communications and Art), her goal is to publish the essay. If she were to use only a few sources or personal knowledge her paper would never be published. She has put quite a bit of time simply researching for her paper. Finding different credible sources is a MAJOR part of any paper.
Question 2
I think there are benefits and drawbacks to coming up with more than one outline for your speech. The benefit of it is that you have more options and you can get a feel for which one will work best with your speaking skills and the material you are covering but at the same time, it can get a little confusing. If you're taking one topic and going two different ways with it-things can get a bit messy. In my experience, sticking to one direction is the best way to go. I gave a speech where I was just all over the place, talking too long about one detail and I actually ended up going over the time limit! Organization can be a big factor when writing/preparing a speech and you will be able to tell if the speaker organized their thoughts beforehand or not by how they present their speech. So on my next speech, I will stick to one outline and really break it down and organize it so that when I get up to speak I can feel comfortable. I also think it would be a good idea to read over the transition types/phrases listed in this lesson so that I can incorporate some of those into making my speech flow better.
Question 1
I feel that having multiple sources gives your speech a lot more credibility. In a sense its saying that not only you think this way but so does Dr. Blank and researchers from Blank School etc. It really gives your speech another way of looking at things. If i were to walk up to you and day I dont believe in God, that would be nothing more than an opinion that would not give me any valid credibility. But if i were to say it and provide evidence about scientology and how the earth evolved through stages with some evidence and talk about how Dr. Blank found this out and researchers have found this and that out. It would give my speech more emphasis on what im talking about. Now you dont have to agree 100% with my topic, but this way you at least will hopefully keep an open mind and see how someone else could think this certain way from the evidence provided.
When you are writing a speech to way you say things and how is very important. Which means it’s so important where you get your information. When you have an idea or a fact you need to back it up with more than one source. That’s why under each main point in a speech you need at least 2 sources from different places. Even from the time we are younger majority rules. The idea is kind of the same here. The more people that can agree with you or the more there is on that certain idea or argument the more convincing it is. If there is only one source of information it seems kind of like an opinion that may or may not be very reliable. It is a very weighted argument. When more than one source agrees on something it’s easier for the listener to understand and agree without so much judgment. Like I said earlier majority rules. If you say in your speech, cows produce milk, every source will say that. If you were to say 30 percent of Americans are fat, that’s not as well known, people don’t just know that, so you have to have more than one source saying that’s true. It’s like testing a hypothesis.
Limiting yourself to one source does not do your speech any favors. You can greatly strengthen your speech by having multiple sources from different avenues. Having multiple sources is good only if your sources are credible. Having a source with a sketch background will hurt you. It is also good if your multiple sources have different information backgrounds. Having two sources from the exact same study doesn't help any. It may also be good to do some of the research for your speech your self. Getting away from secondary sources could improve your speech also. With your information coming from different places you can also get both sides of the topic, or different points of view. I once wrote a short paper for a history class. Because of the shortness of the paper, I used a single article I found on Google. To make a story short; the article was actually the view points of a Tea Party member, of what he thought happened in the past. The Teacher said he did not accept conspiracy thories, so having multiple soucres is a nessescity
In my opinion, making two outlines would benefit my speech because I would know exactly what to talk about. The only draw back that I can really see with making two outlines for your speech is the time it takes to make it. There was several times where I bombed a speech on my mission and before my mission. One of the times on my mission was because I didn't prepare at all. I thought I knew my topic well enough that I could "wing it". I was wrong. It was a complete disaster, I was jumping from one idea to another and when I got to the end, I couldn’t tie everything I talked about together. I just went on a speech rampage and talked because I could talk. Nothing I said made sense, the audience couldn't even figure out what I was supposed to be talking about. From then, I’ve always made an outline on a piece of paper, or at least in my head a couple of days before and rehearsed my talk over an over again. Each time practiced, or worked on my outline, new ideas came to me and different ways to say things so it always turns out to be an elegant speech when you prepare.
Having supporting points from different resources help give speeches credibility in many ways. The more resources you have, you will have multiple supporting ideas to talk about to your audience. When you have a verity of resources with valid information you sound like you know what you’re talking about, well of course because you wont be citing false information to people. You also have other people’s opinions and understandings about your topic, by having multiple sources it could help your audience understand where you’re coming from. Second, if you’re a sales person for a company you can gain credibility for your self while selling a product. If your trying to sell a product, mentioning who helped sponsor the production process gives your company you work for credibility. Mentioning companies in your promotion speeches will also make you look like your very involved with other companies and possibly in the near future have a new business deal. Lastly, having more than one resource used during your speech will provide with more then enough information to talk about.
2. It is quite common to hear the phrase “two is better than one”; in most situations that is definitely applicable. When it comes to outlining for a speech preparation, grabbing ideas from different sources can be an advantage. There will always be the issue of having too many ideas, leading to confusion, but of course it is better to have more than too little. It is important not to set limitations when creating great ideas, just like there are multiple paths leading to a certain destination. The use of different sources leads to different ideas, and it is the art of merging those ideas in order to create an original concept. Having two or more outlines is going to be beneficial, and at the end ideas will be sifted, ending up with one final outline. I have never given a speech that I had “bombed”, but there were many that I wish I had done better. In helping to prepare different for those speeches, I don’t have much to change. I did my research and practiced what I could. My only problem was the way I delivered the presentation, especially the confidence, which could have helped a great deal. I have to learn to be comfortable with where and what I am presenting, and that is dependent on how much I believe in myself.
I think that it is very important to have multiple resources. I have noticed, while doing research, that certain sites can be bias. If you based your research on a site that was bias it would reflect in your speech. You want your speech to be well rounded, and have facts from both sides of the fence. Another problem with using one site is it can only provide so much research. I find it easier to research and collect a lot of research, and then narrow it down to the good stuff. If I do this I feel like my speech goes so much smoother, and my information seems relevant. If I don’t collect enough information from multiple resources I feel like I have to stretch the information I have. You don’t want to do this because I feel like you tend to “BS” a bit. This probably isn’t the best idea when you are giving a speech. I believe there is a fine line of BS that you can get away with in a speech.
I believe that by having more than one source for your supporting points greatly affects your credibility in your speeches because if you only get your information for you speech from one source then you are showing that, a) you weren’t very prepared b) didn’t care that much about the speech/ topic and you are lazy c) aren’t resourceful. By diversifying where you get your sources from you show just the opposite from above, that you are competent and that you do care about what you’re speaking about. Also by using multiple types of sources your will be more diverse and well educated about your main points and supporting details. This will enable you to better captivate your audience and educate them and give you credibility to those that have the same knowledge that you have about the topics. With the credibility you will obtain from multiple sources you will transform your speech from just that to something that could make a difference.
What is the benefit and drawback of creating two outlines? Have you ever given a speech that you "bombed"? What do you think you would do differently preparing for that speech?
I Teach once a month for my church, and i have noticed that as i create different outlines for each of my lessons, I end up being more prepared. Because when you teach people will make comments and different topics will be brought up. So when I have two outlines that I creating in the beginning just to help me prepare my lesson, I am able to draw back on it and use things that I thought about talking about. I haven’t ever completely “bombed” a lesson, but I have been a little funny. Like when I get awkward, I will literally say “awkward” out loud.. and my friends just think it’s the funniest thing. The more I give speeches or talk in front of others I have learned that if I am looking up an item and its silent.. the audience wont think its weird or awkward… unless I say “awkward”. It’s something I am working on.
Researching and compiling points from more than one source may add more time to your preparation process but ultimately more time preparing is exactly what a successful speaker wants, and a successful speaker has more credibility. Compiling information and ideas from multiple sources takes a speech from the just scraping the surface stage to a full in depth and well thought out speech. Obviously acquiring information from one source can result in a possibly biased and incorrect paper. If someone only researches one article or one website there is much less of a chance that they will ever know if the information they are getting is true and useful. Taking the time to search many different places and compare information for supporting points will only give the speaker the opportunity to more fully understand and get wrapped up in their topic. The more varying sources one has adds to the impact and credibility that their speech will have. What public speaker doesn't want to make an impact? There definitely is not one that I can think of who hopes their speech is a total wreck. Finding multiple sources goes back to how important preparation is for a credible speech. The more you put into it the more you can get out.
I think creating two outlines is contradictory and confusing. And, frankly I don't know why you would want to. One of the purposes of outlining, if I understand it correctly, is to write your speech out in headings and subheadings. It's the “bare bones” of the speech and is important to the flow of the speech. For me personally, I think more outlines means being less prepared and less familiar with my speech. As I have mentioned before, I feel like speeches are journeys. The outline is my map and the more maps I have, the more likely I am to get lost. Honestly, I rarely sit and write a “traditional” outline. I do, however, use the concept. One of my approaches when I am preparing for a speech, is that I usually take some time alone and just start talking out loud about my subject. As I am talking, three or 4 common threads start appearing and I am then able to sit down and start writing out my speech using those 4 “threads” as main topics.
Supporting points from different resources give your speech credibility for several reasons. It will give the audience more respect towards you and your topic because they will see that you took the time to research the topic. The more research you do with the topic the more information you will get and the more information you can get the better. You are able to go more in depth with the topic and it will get more credibility because the more resource you have the more reliable the information you provide for your audience. Also doing more research on your topic could help you find something you didn't know about your topic before. Speaking in front of an audience you must talk as if you are an expert and a professional on your topic. The more you talk as if your are an expert on your topic the more people will believe the things you say. Listing tjhe resources you got your information from will backup the point you are making by making it look like the information is reliable because you found it from more than one person or place.
The only speeches I've ever "bombed" were ones where as much as I thought I knew the information, I didn't. They've always been speehes I've had to give in a history class or a biology class of some sort. Those are the speeches where if I get of track or lose what I'm saying, I'm screwed. Where what I'm talking about I have no idea, and no matter how much I keep talking about it tying to save myself, everyone can tell I'm just word vomitting. Speeches, like those I always wish I put more thought and time into, or atleast made an outline of some sort. Topics where if I get stuck in the middle of giving the speech & can't just bull crap are extemely difficult for me. Especially, since I relying on my amazing bull crapping skills 99% of the time; and it always works, 100% of the time. So speeches like those I always kick myself in the rear for not making enough time to create an outline. But two would be too many for me. I would start to get all my thoughts mixed up and probably just end up confusing myself.
Question one. If you use material from more than one source (assuming it is a credible source) it lends your speech more credibility. Because it shows your audience that more than just the speaker (yourself) have the same point of view. Basically your using the bandwagon technique. This lends you credibility. Everyone has experienced when they tell a family member or close friend something, and for some reason it doesn’t have any validity coming from you. However if someone else says the same thing suddenly the advice is sound and makes sense. This is the same with public speaking, but again the source must be credible. It is especially important to have sources when speaking on scientific topics, sure someone could rant on the environment and climate change but without sources in the end all it is, is just that, a rant. It is also especially important to have multiple sources when you are trying to persuade an audience to believe something or at least take into consideration a new idea that is not necessarily a topic they are open to. It may be difficult to speak about the merits of redistribution of wealth to a financially Conservative audience but supporting data (if there is any in existence) would be helpful.
I would like to respond to question #1: I think having more than one source to use in your speech is a huge part in making your speech more credible. If you were to only have one source to site in your speech I think that it is better then having no sources, but it diffinately is not as effective as having two or more sources. The reasons that I believe this is two sources can support each other, especially when we do our persuasive speeches later this semester if your trying to persuade someone to do something having more then one source we just add more impact to your speech. Also with my work we often use two or more sources to find and support information. It really helps when I can look up data from one source and then compare it to another source, and if they support and verify each other then the odds are that it is good data. So using more then one source can be effective in many different things.
I think that having supporting points for your speech gives it credibility for a number of reasons. First and foremost it makes your speech interesting to more than one type of audience. I remember giving talks in church where I included something very small and what I thought was insignificant and had people comment that they enjoyed that part of a talk. It's hard to tell what will strike a cord with your audience. Even if you have what you feel is an amazing resource to draw from for your speech you may be the only one who finds it that interesting. I find that the most amazing talks and speeches are a combination of a lot of things that combine for a very in depth speech. On the flip side of this I have heard talks that you feel like they are reading their talk from one source. Although I'm glad they have mastered the ability to copy and paste it makes for an incredibly long and boring speech.
Why is it important to have supporting points from multiple sources?
I feel that using multiple sources are important for a few different reasons. First of all you want to give your speech some depth. By using only one source to support your thesis you are showing the audience that you do not have a great work ethic. Everyone knows how easy (depending on the topic…but usually) it is to find one person or organization that is in support of what you are vying for. So when you do not use more than one supporting source you appear underprepared and lazy. You also represent your topic as a weak topic, again with no depth. Some may call this sophomoric. Another reason that I see lack of sources resulting in diminished credibility is it causes your topic to be stagnant and boring. Have you ever been in a presentation where the presenter only uses one professor or academic as his support? If not take my word for it. It is boring! People want to hear an argument with many faces. If you cannot tell that the opinion or research of multiple people or organization is heard than you know that it is not a strong argument. For instance, lets look at the argument that smoking cigarettes is good for you. If one person told you this would you believe it? NO! You would need hundreds of people (educated and credencialized individuals to convince you of this. Otherwise it would simply be an opinion and a weak one at that. Lastly, the more sources you use the more that you give credit to the individuals that have put a lot of hard work into the topic at hand. If you don’t use sources you are acting as if you are an expert on the subject and that you don’t need any of the authorities. By the way no one likes a know it all.
The more resources you have to back what you're saying, sources that corroborate what you're saying, are good for speeches and papers alike. If you just go off of what's in your head, and you don't have anything to back up what you're saying, then people have the basis to discredit you. However, if you have evidence backing what you're saying, evidence from people or places that can give what you're saying credible, then your speeches and you will have a lot more. You can stand up in front of an audience and say a lot about a particular subject, but if you're up there only saying things about what you know and what you've done, it's not going to be near as credible as if you were standing up there and you had a credible source backing what you know. Use something or someone that people are familiar with. It will help you more than hurt you.
I have given a speech that I bombed . It was a talk in church, I thought it would be a good idea to write the entire talk out and then read it. The reason for my thinking was that my topic was a bit sensitive and I didn't want to offend anyone. Man was I wrong, really really wrong, I totally lost my audience in less than three minutes. My stubborn side kicked in and I pressed forward! I never had any talk go so wrong. No one even commented positively. I did get a number of people tell me how they disagreed with me. So I went back to using outlines with headings. That way I can get a feel for the audience, and if they are responding to what I'm saying.
I have given a speech that I bombed . It was a talk in church, I thought it would be a good idea to write the entire talk out and then read it. The reason for my thinking was that my topic was a bit sensitive and I didn't want to offend anyone. Man was I wrong, really really wrong, I totally lost my audience in less than three minutes. My stubborn side kicked in and I pressed forward! I never had any talk go so wrong. No one even commented positively. I did get a number of people tell me how they disagreed with me. So I went back to using outlines with headings. That way I can get a feel for the audience, and if they are responding to what I'm saying.
I think having supporting points from different sources gives your speech a ton more credibility because, if you can prove your point in more ways then one, why not do it? If you can find cited resources that give you the information you need to prove a point in your speech, more power to you! There is no reason not to use useful information if it going to do nothing but make your speech better, convince the audience of what you're trying to put across and make them trust you more. For example, if you only had one for your entire paper/speech, that's basing a lot of information on one source, and that would make me as an audience member, hesitant, i would feel more comfortable knowing that you got your foundation from several different reliable places, that if i wanted to go home and check out, I could see for myself they were true.
1. Having supporting points from different sources is important whenever we are presenting or persuading, even in casual conversation. Often a friend will share some information, and for whatever reason it does not seem plausible to me. Whenever this happens I am lead to ask, "How do you know this?" or "Who told you that?" I do not believe everything I hear. If I am going to accept new information, I need to know that it comes from a credible source. If this is true in just regular conversation, then it is even more applicable in public speaking. And if one credible source is convincing, think of how powerful it is to site multiple sources. It is just like anything in life - the more people that confirm information, the more you believe it. We just have to make sure that those sources are credible. Just because your uncle told you so, does not mean he is right. Multiple believable sources confirm and back each other up.
I like to create two outlines one with the point of view that I am presenting and the other with the opposite point of view. I think that creating both perspectives forces me to look at my speech from all angles and to see more of my audience perspectives. I feel that to live in a pluralistic society we need to be aware and listen to more than one perspective. By developing both sides of my speech it helps me to make sure my points are clear and headed in the direction I want it headed in. By making two outlines I have a second speech ready for another time and place if I ever need it.
question 1
Having supporting points from one source can be a little suspicious and also not as well rounded when it comes to a speech. When i listen to a speech and the speaker only gives says the used one resource, it makes me think 2 things. first, why didn't they use more? did they not put a lot of time into this, and just threw it together last minute? Are they just lazy and didn't feel like doing extra work? The second thing I think is. Is the reason they only used one source is there are more sides to this topic, and his their topic weak? I have a lot of suspicions when that is the case, and im sure others feel the same way. Its just makes your speech sound more well rounded and thought through when you give plenty off sources.
There are many different sources to get information for your speech. There are books, magazines, newspapers, the internet, and even e-books. It is very critical to have supporting points from different places to help draw in your audience. Sometimes when talking about different points relating to your topic you can get too far off the topic. By having references from difference resources, it can help tie everything in together and have it all make sense to the audience. Using different resources also allows you to add more flavor to your speech. It will help make your speech more exciting. Instead of dragging on about the same thing coming from the same resource the whole time, you can add in quotes, opinions, and other information coming from different resources. This is key to keeping your audience’s attention. Would you want to eat a meal consisting of salad, peas, green beans, broccoli, and green jello? It is a lot more aesthetically pleasing to eat a meal with many different colors and textures. The same goes with your speech. By adding different "colors and textures" it will make your speech more interesting and also more credible.
I think get information of 2 or more websites makes your speech more credible because, if a piece of information is on the internet more than once and its the exact same piece of information its almost like having two anonymous people tell a story about a crime. when something isnt true, the stories are slightly or completely different. Having that said, i can tell if a site is highly credited. Offical websites have that professional look to them. an uncredited site has a look almost like a blog or maybe is very opinionated. But having 2 or more sites to prove facts is in my opinion a safe option. All a person needs is a little common sense and a little extra effort to get a credible fact on a subject.
I think if you only use one resource for your supporting point you run the risk of looking either under prepared or choosing a source that had little credibility to some people to begin with. I personally think a good strategy would be to choose something opposing groups agree on if possible that way you look more credible to both sides. I also believe the more credible sources you use the more it appears that you put a lot of time into your speech and didn’t just do it at the last second on your phone when you arrived. Using multiple sources may even mask the stupid ones you may have used in your speech as well, that is if you for some reason choose a stupid one to begin with. Choosing multiple resources makes you sound closer to an expert on a subject than if you learned everything on one site or in one book but didn’t cheek the accuracy of the information.
A couple of years ago, I gave a speech once against gun control in a class taught by a pretty liberal teacher. I quoted statistics from several studies done by legitimate and reputable organizations such as the Secret Service, FBI and CDC (Center for Disease Control). Somehow, the teacher got the impression that I got all my statistics from Glenn Beck, or at least that's what she wrote on my outline. Even though I didn't use only one source, the fact that she thought I did (and the fact that she disdains the source she thought I used) shows the danger of only using one source. If someone in the audience doesn't consider your source credible, your entire speech has lost all credibility as well.
1.How does having supporting points from different resources give your speech credibility?
Having many resource helps able to sound more credible because if gives you many points of view. Its always best to have to many resources then have to few. not only does it give you more credibility but it also gives you more insight on the subject your researching. Learning more about your subject i think makes you seem more credible to people i think. If i were in the audience and someone was fumbling through there notes and didnt know where they got there resource then it would be hard to actually belive the speaker. being prepared and having many sources to where there are doubters in the audience that try and call you out on somthing you have the research to be able to prove them wrong and look good infront of the audience at the same time!So in conclusion its always best to be able to be prepared and have many resources to be credible in you research.
2.What is the benefit and drawback of creating two outlines? Have you ever given a speech that you "bombed"? What do you think you would do differently preparing for that speech?
Throughout my life I have given a few speeches. I have had times where I completely bomb the test. This is usually because I either forgot my outline or forgot to make an outline. Whether you know it or not, an outline is basically like a script for you to read. They also use outlines to input words into the teleprompters for the news, and others shows that use a telepromptor. It is never a bad thing to have two outlines. If you lose one, you will always have another. If they each have different information written on them based on the same speech, it is possible that you won't like one of the outlines because you don't like the information that you chose to put on the computer. You will easily be able to switch outlines and use the other one. Outlines really are a key item needed when giving a speech.
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