Speeches

1. Speeches Play Help and Reminders

2. Attention Getting Devices When delivering a speech, it is important to employ certain strategies that not only gain the audience’s attention but also make connections to your topic. • Use an example: Give the audience a vivid account of some event or instance when your information was useful. • Tell a story: The story may be fictional, but it should point in the direction of the subject matter • Tell a joke: Joke telling is often badly done. Be sure the joke has a point and is appropriate and will get the desired response. • Use a literary quotation: A quote from literature, a line from a poem, or even a line from a song that is familiar can create the proper mood for the speech.

3. Attention Getting Devices, cont. • Use an analogy: An analogy is the use of a familiar object or idea for the purpose of making an unfamiliar object or idea clear and understandable. For example “The heart is like a pump.” • Present a series of facts: Choose several interesting facts about topic to present to the audience in rapid fire fashion. • Rhetorical or thought-provoking questions: Make sure that if you do this, you don’t rush to your next point before your audience can consider your question.

4. Attention Getting Devices, cont. AVOID • Dictionary Definitions: They are cliché and do not usually get anyone’s attention. • Common knowledge statistics: Only use a statistic if it is somehow shocking or unexpected.

5. Visual Aid • Prepare them well in advance • Keep It Simple Sir • Make sure they are large enough • should be able to be seen by “all” viewers when presented, not just those “up front”. • Use easy to read fonts – there is a reason for Times-Roman • non-serif fonts are harder to read • Use a limited number of fonts • Use color effectively • highlighting • used well proven color schemes, what colors work well together is a tough choice for most people What is wrong with this visual Aid?

6. Visual Aid • Prepare well in advance • Keep it Simple • Make sure it is large enough • should be able to be seen by “all” viewers when presented, not just those “up front”. • Use easy to read fonts – there is a reason for Times-Roman • non-serif fonts are harder to read • Use a limited number of fonts • Use color effectively • used well proven color schemes, what colors work well together is a tough choice for most people

7. Citing Sources • In an essay, it is common to use parenthetical citations to cite your work (Zurybida 21). In a speech, however, the listener cannot hear your parenthetical citations, so you must verbally inform the listeners. • Wrong Way: Although students may not appreciate the value of learning new vocabulary, “results [reveal] a relatively linear relationship between the percentage of vocabulary known and the degree of reading comprehension (Schmitt 26). • Right Way: Although students not appreciate the value of learning vocabulary, a study conducted by Norbert Schmitt revealed in the Modern Language Journal that there is a “linear relationship between the percentage of vocabulary known and the degree of reading comprehension.”

8. Using Note Cards • Use standard 3x5 note cards • Write out the first sentence of the intro and conclusion. • Note where you plan to use visual aids. • Include quotes, statistics, and lists you may need, not paragraphs of text. • Number your note cards. • Use a few key words or phrases.

9. USING NOTE CARDS, cont. • Practice using your note cards. • Use pictures or graphic organizers to guide you. • Use your visual aids as notes. • Create just a few meaningful heading in an outline form. Practice using only these headings as your “cues.” This will take practice, but practicing using only these few words will force you to internalize your speech. • Use the final version of your notes to practice.

10. Delivery – Non-Verbal • Step up to speak with confidence and authority. Establish eye contact before beginning. • Maintain eyeco ntactwith the entire audience (not just the teacher) throughout your speech. Make people feel as if you are talking to them. • Gestures – Use natural gestures that accentuate your speech, not distract from it. Avoid over-prepared gestures and repetitious gestures. • Dress appropriately and comfortably for your speech. Your dress should not hinder your speech.

11. Non Verbal, cont. • Begin without referring to your notes. Your introduction will set the stage for the rest of your speech. • Body Language – Use good posture, don’t cross your legs or lean. Don’t play with objects such as necklaces, notes, sleeve cuffs, watches, rings, etc. Occasionally change your placement by taking a few steps to the right or left. • Refer to your notes only occasionally. Play

12. Delivery - Verbal Play Play2 • Volume – vary the volume of your speech, however always speak loudly enough to be heard by everyone. • Pace – Vary the speed at which you speak. (Speed up to show interest or excitement, slowing down to the seriousness of a message.) Do not speed through your speech though. • Pause – Use pauses for dramatic effect. • Tone – Vary the tone of your voice to get across the message of your speech and to add variety. • Fluency – Try to avoid non-words and filler-words like “ah,” “um,” “ya know,” and “kay.”

13. Speaking and Listening Etiquette In a formal speaking setting, you have responsibilities both as a speaker and as a listener. Please follow these guidelines to create a comfortable atmosphere for you and your listener.

14. Speaking • Be prepared. When it is your turn to deliver your speech, promptly get up and proceed to the front of the room. Present a confident, assured image. • Have note cards organized and get into a comfortable stance. • Wait for everyone’s complete attention. • Begin speaking as soon as you are comfortable and at ease.

15. Speaking, cont. Play • Speak clearly. • Maintain eye contact; glance only occasionally at your note cards. Do not read from your note cards. • Do NOT, repeat, Do NOT chew gum. • When you are finished take a second or two of quiet time before you return to your seat. Do not say, That’s it!” or anything like that. • After the audience applauds, return to your seat.

16. Listener • Give your undivided attention to the speaker from the moment he/she gets out of the seat. When the speaker is in front of the room, your eyes should be on him/her. • Keep your desk clear. Do not browse at other materials. • Respond to the speaker’s eye contact so he/she will feel comfortable in front of the room. • Never talk or interrupt during a speech. Do not enter or exit the room. • When the speech is over, politely applaud.