Audience and Research

PS

7 step plan for creating a speech

1. Choose a topic and purpose

2. Consider your audience and occasion

3. Research and gather materials

4. Organize and outline your material

5. Choose effective language

6. Rehearse and practice

7. Delivery of speech

Subject

A broad area of knowledge

Ex: Baseball

Topic

Some specific aspect of a subject

Ex: Cardinals World Series 2011

7 guidelines to follow when choosing a topic

1. Be sure you understand the assignment

2. Brainstorm for ideas

3. Choose a topic you know information about

4. Choose a topic that excites you or that you enjoy

5. Choose a topic that will be interesting & significant to the audience

6. Consider your listener's’ sensibilities

7. Try out your ideas on people you trust

3 general purposes of speeches

To inform

To entertain

To persuade

Specific purpose of goal statement

Single statement that specifies the exact response or behavior the speaker wants from the audience

Central idea or thesis statement

A sentence that outlines the specific elements of the speech supporting the goal statement. It is a summary statement of the main theme or main points of your speech. You state your thesis statement as a declarative sentence.

3 ways to gather audience data

1. Observation

2. Informed guesses

   1. Interview/Survey

Examples of audience demographics to consider

Age, race, gender, religion, status, political beliefs, etc.

8 Questions to ask yourself for audience analysis

1. Who is the audience?

2. What they already know?

3. What do they need to know?

4. What mood are they in?

5. What do they expect from me?

6. How should I adjust my content to suit their needs?

7. How will my visual aids meet the audience’s needs?

8. What kind of language does the audience best understand?

3 Things to consider when predicting audience reactions

Audience interest, understanding, and attitude

4 Bases of Credibility

1. Knowledge and expertise

2. Personality

3. Character

   1. Trustworthiness / Honesty

3 Types of credibility

1. Prior credibility

2. Demonstrated credibility

3. Terminal credibility

Prior Credibility

Refers to what you bring with you because of who you are or because of your experiences with the topic

Demonstrated Credibility

This credibility becomes evident from the information you present in your speech

4 ways to demonstrate credibility

1. Define terminology

2. Cite sources

3. Give examples

4. Be knowledgeable and understand your topic

Terminal credibility

This is the overall impression that you leave in your classmates’ minds

6 things to consider when analyzing your occasion and setting

1. How large is the audience?

2. When will the speech be given? Early or late?

3. What is the time limit?

4. What are the expectations?

5. Where will the speech be given?

6. What facilities are available with the speech? (Visual aids)

6 Steps to researching your topic

1. Start with what you already know

2. Know what you are researching

3. Get to know your library

4. Find sources of material

5. Find types of support for your speech

6. Record your evidence

3 Types of sources

1. Oral sources

2. Print sources

3. Electronic sources

Evidence, support, proof

The information you used to develop your ideas

10 types of support

1. Definitions

2. Descriptions

3. Examples

4. Illustrations

5. Testimony

6. Quotes

7. Statistics

8. Anecdotes

9. Narratives

10. Comparisons / Contrasts

Denotative definition

The dictionary meaning of a word

Connotative definition

The feeling that a word evokes in us

Testimony

Citing the opinions of authoritative sources

2 things to avoid in speeches

1. Plagiarism

2. Fabrication

Plagiarism

Using the ideas and words of others as your own without giving credit to the originators. Make sure to properly cite your sources as you speak and on your works Cited / reference page

Fabrications

To lie, make up information, or pass along a rumor without sufficiently checking its accuracy. Make sure you cite and consult references or sources

10 Guidelines for evaluating evidence

1. Is it clear with 1 interpretation?

2. Is there enough evidence to prove the point?

3. Can it be proven to be true?

4. Is it consistent with itself?

5. Is it consistent with other known evidence?

6. Is it relevant to the topic being discusses?

7. Is it the most recent information available?

8. Is the author or source of the evidence an authority on the topic?

9. Is the source unprejudiced in reporting?

10. Is the source trustworthy, honest, reliable?