Page 82 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

• Previews your main points
• Organizes your ideas with three to fi ve main points
• Summarizes your main points
• Closes with impact

Common organizational patterns include:
• Time

• Spatial
• Categorical

Transitional statements, including signposts, make organization clear.
In presenting your speech use your voice, face, and body.

Of the four methods of speech delivery, we recommend the extemporaneous
method.

Check Your Understanding: Exercises and Activities

1. Write a one- or two-page analysis of the audience for your fi rst speech. What
characteristics do your classmates seem to have in common? Are they similar
to or dissimilar from you in age, social status, and background? What assump-
tions can you make about them based on their attendance at your university
or college? How will what you know about your classmates affect your choice
of speech topic and specifi c purpose?

2. Come up with three possible topics for your fi rst speech. For each topic,
consider whether it is (a) interesting to you, (b) interesting to your audience,
(c) appropriate to the situation, (d) appropriate to the time available, (e) man-
ageable, and (f) worthwhile. Based on this analysis, which topic do you be-
lieve is best for your fi rst speech?
3. Once you have selected the best topic, determine what general purpose it
would fulfi ll and phrase a specifi c purpose that you would hope to achieve
in presenting the speech.

4. Make a list of appropriate sources for information about the topic you have
chosen for your fi rst speech.
5. Using the format discussed in this chapter, prepare an outline that organizes
your speech so that it (a) opens with impact, (b) focuses on your thesis statement,
(c) connects with your audience, (d) previews your main points, (e) organizes
your ideas with three to fi ve main points, (f) summarizes your main points,
and (g) closes with impact.

6. View a speech on video and then read a transcript of the speech. Both of the
speeches transcribed in this chapter are at SpeechCoach online. After both
reading and viewing the speech, write a short paper that answers the following
questions: (a) What seemed to be the greatest strength of this speech? (b) What
seemed to be the greatest weakness of this speech? (c) What differences did you
note between reading a transcript of the speech and actually seeing the speech
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delivered?