Public Speaking Notes

Key Concepts in Public Speaking

  • Purpose of Speaking:

  • Every speech has a purpose, guiding its structure and content.

  • Major types of speech purposes: Inform, Persuade, or Entertain.

  • Examples of Purpose:

  • Lady Gaga at the National Equality March: Persuasive purpose to support gay rights.

  • John Baross on astrobiology: Informative purpose regarding life in extreme environments.

  • Tom Brokaw at Tim Russert's memorial: Soothing and supportive purpose.

  • Speech Preparation Steps:

  1. Determine your general purpose.
  2. Evaluate and select your speech topic.
  3. Combine general purpose and topic to identify your specific purpose.
  4. Phrase the thesis statement clearly.
  • Types of Speech Purposes:
  • Informative Speech: Aim to describe, explain, or demonstrate. Helps increase audience knowledge.
  • Persuasive Speech: Alter, reinforce, or change audience beliefs and behaviors.
  • Entertaining Speech: Captivate and amuse the audience, often at special occasions.
Developing and Researching Your Speech

  • General Purpose:

  • Overall goal for your speech: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

  • Specific Purpose:

  • Clearly articulates what you want to achieve with the speech, merges general purpose with audience response.

  • Thesis Statement:

  • A single declarative sentence summarizing the main ideas of the speech, guiding the audience on what to expect.

  • Brainstorming Techniques:

  • Generate a wide range of topic ideas without evaluating them initially.

  • Use questions to spark creativity regarding interests, experiences, and issues discussed in current media.

  • Evaluating Topic Ideas:
    Consider the following before selecting your topic:

  • Your own interests, knowledge, and resources available.

  • The audience's interests and knowledge level.

  • Current events and the setting for your speech.

Organizing Your Speech

  • Organizational patterns:

  • Chronological, topical, cause-and-effect, problem-solution, narrative, spatial, and Monroe's motivated sequence.

  • Balance and relevance in main points are crucial; this ensures that each point is sufficiently important and connects logically.

  • Complete-Sentence Outline:

  • A detailed outline including the introduction, body, and conclusion with all main points and supporting materials.

  • Each main point expressed as a complete sentence helps clarify the speaker's thoughts.

  • Transitions:

  • Essential for linking ideas, ensuring coherence, and guiding the audience through the speech.

  • Types include ordering, reinforcing, contrasting, chronological, causality, and summarizing transitions.

Beginning and Ending Your Speech

  • Introduction Elements:

  • Grab attention, indicate purpose and thesis, establish credibility, and preview main points.

  • Attention getters can be startling facts, human-interest stories, humor, or provocative questions.

  • Conclusion Elements:

  • Review of main points, reinforcement of purpose, and provision of closure.

  • Consider techniques like quotes, dramatic statements, visual aids, or reference back to the introduction.

Using Language Effectively

  • Nature of Language:

  • Language is arbitrary, ambiguous, abstract, and active. The meanings of words can vary widely.

  • Audience-Centered Language:

  • Tailor language to be relatable, inclusive, and relevant to the audience.

  • Use clear definitions and avoid jargon or idiomatic expressions that may confuse.

  • Strategies for Language Use:

  • Use a mix of personal anecdotes, relevant examples, and factual support to engage the audience.

  • Aim for clarity and conciseness while maintaining a conversational tone.

  • Visual Language:

  • Use imagery, metaphors, similes, and analogies to create vivid impressions and stimulate imagination.