This document provides guidance on preparing and delivering an effective public speech. It outlines key steps including planning the speech by considering the purpose, audience and occasion. When analyzing the audience, it is important to understand how many people, their ages, interests and other relevant characteristics. Speakers should select a topic they are knowledgeable about and of interest to the audience. Thorough research and organizing ideas in an outline are also recommended. The introduction should grab attention and the conclusion should summarize main points. Rehearsal and practicing delivery are essential to a successful speech.

1. Prepared Public Speaking
Things to consider when writing,
preparing for and giving a public
speech.
Miss Thalman
North Summit High

2. Introduction
• Speeches are given to inform the audience,
persuade the audience, or to integrate the
members of an audience.
• People also listen for the same reasons
• Speaking skills increase a person’s effectiveness
and influence the decision of others.
• Speaking in public is an art form nearly as old as
humanity itself.
• Effective public speaking is INFLUENCE.
• INFLUENCE IS LEADERSHIP!!

3. PLANNING A SPEECH
• As as a speech is • PURPOSE
planned, consider the • AUDIENCE
following: • OCCASION
• If you can empathize with
the audience, you will be
able to plan a better
speech!

4. Analyze the Audience
• Find out as much • # in group
information as • Ages
possible about the • Interests
• Formal or informal
audience.
• Setting
• It will be helpful to • Time frame
know the following in • Room size
advance. • Place on program

5. Analyze the Audience
• Keep in mind the following 3 questions when
analyzing your audience:
1. To whom am I speaking?
2. What do I want them to know, believe, or do as a
result of my speech?
3. What is the most effective way of composing or
presenting my speech to accomplish my aim?

6. Select a Topic
1. Choose a topic that
interests you.
2. Choose a topic in which
you are knowledgeable
or want to become
knowledgeable.
3. Choose a topic of
interest to your audience.

7. FFA Topic Areas
• When searching for a topic for an FFA
speech consider using these three general
areas:
– Production Agriculture
– Agribusiness
– Agriscience

8. Brainstorming
• List topics within each area that interest you.
• Jot down words or phrases you know related to
those topic areas.
• Spend no more than two minutes on each topic
area.
• This process is called brainstorming.
– Example: Willie Nelson

9. Gather Information
• Benjamin Franklin once said:
– “An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
• Without solid material, your speech will fold like
Franklin’s bag.
• Start research by checking personal books and
magazines.
• Consult organizations and experts.
• Do research in a library and use the librarian to
help you search.

10. Gather Information
• If the subject is controversial, make sure to get
expert opinions from both sides of the issue.
• Speaker’s can find quotations to support their
ideas in sources such as:
– Bartlett’s Familiar Quotes
– Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
– Oxford Dictionary of Quotations
– Granger’s Index to Poetry

11. Record your Ideas
• When gathering material, write each item of
information on a note card with:
– Name of Source
– Page #
– Author
• Use quotations and statistics when they are
needed to make a point.

12. Make an Outline
1. To help you recognize the speech’s
strengths and weaknesses.
2. To help you organize and develop your
ideas.
3. To help you save time when writing the
speech.

13. Outline Format
• Main Points are indicated by Roman
Numbers ( I, II, V, VI)
• Major Subdivisions by capitol letters (A, B)
• Minor subheadings by Arabic numbers (1,2)
• Further subdivision by lower case letters
(a,b,c,d,k,t,)

14. Outline Example
TITLE
I. INTRODUCTION
II. BODY
A. First Main Point
1. Sub point #1
2. Sub point #2
B. Second Main Point
1. Sub point #1
2. Sub point #2
III. CONCLUSION

15. WRITE THE SPEECH
• Write the way you talk!
• Write the Body of the Speech first.
• Begin with the main points.
• Arrange them in logical order or sequence.
• Then write the Introduction.
• Finally, write the conclusion

16. Write the Speech
• “Words, are the garments with whish speakers
clothe their ideas.” J. Regis O’Connor
• Wise speakers choose their words carefully.
• Choose effective language.
• Refrain from using statements that defame other
people or organizations. (Ethical Issues)

17. Introduction
• Do something to gain the audiences attention:
– Tell a joke
– Pound the speaker’s stand
– Make a loud noise
– Ask a question
– Tell a story
– Use a quotation
– Use a personal reference
– Create suspense
– Give a compliment

18. Introduction
• The introduction must grab the attention of
the audience, but it must also focus on the
goal of the speech.

19. CONCLUSION
• All’s Well that Ends Well - Shakespeare
• The conclusion offers the speaker on ed last
opportunity to remind the audience of the speech
content.
• Summarize the main points.
• Use a story.
• Be humorous.
• Appeal and
• Make an emotional impact.

20. Practice the Speech
• Practice Time Limits
• Practice Methods
– School Classes and Teachers
– Home and Mirror
– Auditorium
– Civic Organizations
– THE VIDEO CAMERA

21. THINGS THAT NEED
PRACTICE
• Your Smile
• Gestures
• Head and Eyes
• Sincerity

22. Present the Speech
• A good speech starts with good preparation.
• Things to consider when giving speech:
– Salutation
– Being Deliberate
– Using the Hands (Need to appear natural)
– Using the Body (Do not sway, rock, fidget)
– Humor
– Dress and Physical Appearance
– Where to stand
– Notes
– Special Considerations

23. Answer Questions
• If you are asked questions afterwards, keep the
following in mind:
– Be deliberate, take time to think through answer and
then reply.
– Be complete
– Answer with confidence
– If you do not know the answer, says so without
hesitation, do not bluff.
– If you did not hear or did not understand the questions,
ask the person to repeat or rephrase.

24. FINALLY, Listen and Evaluate
• Evaluate speeches and presentation after
each time.
• Evaluation allows for an analysis of where
the speech went right and/or wrong.

25. Other Points To Consider
• Keep the voice well • Open the speech with a
modulated, use variety of sentence that will secure
pitch and tone. the attention of the
• Strive for correct audience.
pronunciation and • End the speech in a
enunciate clearly. forceful manner.
• Cultivate a sincere interest • Take appropriate pauses
in people. and don not allow yourself
• Constantly strive to to run out of breath.
increased your • Maintain good posture
vocabulary. while speaking.

26. Your Assignment
• You will be given 4 class days to write a
speech to present to your Ag Class.
• Begin planning this weekend and be
prepared to start presenting on Monday,
OCTOBER 29.
• Good luck, choose wisely, reseach
smart, use time effectively.
• Type written draft is due the day you
present.
• You may only use notecards when
presenting in front of the class.