Become a Great Public Speaker

There are really only two types of speech topics- ones that are assigned to you and ones that you get to choose.

Hopefully if the topic is assigned to you it will coincide with what the audience wants. If not, refer to the Guidelines for Appealing to Different Audiences in Lesson 6.

Regardless of the topic you will also need to define a speech purpose. There are three GENERAL speech purposes.

1. Informative
2. Persuasive
3. Special Occasion

Informative. An informative speech does just what it says, it informs. Hopefully it will assist in increasing the audiences understanding and/or awareness of the topic. If you are to give an informative speech, make sure you don't try to be persuasive about the information provided. Let the "facts" do the talking.

Think of it as walking up to a wall, painting some kind of picture, and then walking away without explaining why whoever is looking at it should like it.

Persuasive. Yes this kind of speech does what it says, it is meant to persuade the listener. The goal is to change the audience attitudes, beliefs, values, and behavior on a given topic.

Referring back to the painting example above, now you are telling why this is a masterpiece and why such a piece of artwork should be enshrined.

Special Occasion. This type of speech is associated with a specific event like acceptance speech, funeral (eulogy), or some kind of celebratory event. These speeches are usually narrowly defined with what is expected. They usually are long in length.

Selecting A Topic (if you get to)

For many, selecting a topic to speak on is a difficult process because they feel there is so many things to talk on or they don't feel like they have anything to talk on.

Whatever side you are on, you must first take into consideration your audience (Lesson 6).

Once you are clear on your audience and you have a GENERAL speech purpose (inform, persuade, or special occasion), you can begin the process (and yes it can be a process) of selecting a topic.

Some helpful hints are:

• Rely on your own interests and what you feel passionate about (again, remember audience).
• Consider something you can do better than others or something that not a lot of others know that is interesting.
• Consider issues/events going on around you locally or globally.
• Consider controversial issues (You will need to prepare for this. I highly suggest that those new to public speaking stay away from controversial issues until they gain confidence and better skills).
• Avoid boring or overused topics.

Brainstorm to Create Ideas

The one thing that will help you with brainstorming is to realize that there is no right or wrong way of brainstorming. There is no right or wrong word(s) you write down while brainstorming.

The key to brainstorming is getting anything and everything out on paper.

Here are some ideas that you may want to try (just do something):

• Write out lists
• Use word associations
• Diagram your ideas by using a topic map.
• Use the Internet to search for ideas.
• Ask others.
• Write down every thought (crazy or random as it is) and see where it leads you.

Define Your Topic and Purpose

Once you have an idea of the topic you want to speak on, start to narrow it down.

Begin by looking at:

• what time constraints you will have
• what the audience expects
• what does the audience already know about the topic
• what are the values, beliefs, and attitudes that you will need to take into consideration
  
  (All Lesson 6 again)

Next come up with a SPECIFIC speech purpose. This is like the GENERAL speech purpose but it is written out in a sentence and explains what you are going to accomplish.

Example: To persuade the audience to only purchase TOMS shoes in order to help third world children with no shoes.

After you have a SPECIFIC speech purpose you can then develop a thesis statement. This statement will be a single, declarative statement that possesses the central idea of your speech. It goes along with SPECIFIC speech purpose statement.

Example: TOMS shoes is an organization that supplies thousands of new shoes to third world countries many children do not have shoes.

The thesis statement is your "grabber" or your "hook." A good thesis will set the tone for the speech. Worry about this later though, just get something down and come back and tweek it later.

After the thesis begin to develop main points of your speech. This is also known as developing the body of the speech.

Gather resources (information) you will need to add support to the main points. This is known as expanding the body of the speech.

Make sure you are adding relevant information. Use words that will enhance your speech and are appropriate for the audience (understanding).

Finally, add a closing statement that wraps up what you just said or reiterates a call to action. A good closing remark is memorable and creates something for the audience to ponder about or want to do. It leaves them on a positive, high note.

Questions

1. Think back to a memorable speech you listened to. What made it good? What made it memorable?
2. What tips and tricks do you use to brainstorm? How does brainstorming help you?
3. Is it easier to have a topic assigned to you, or would you rather have the choice of choosing a topic to speak on? Why? When would you want a topic assigned to you and when would you want to choose a topic?