Speech Planning and Writing

SPEECH PLANNING AND WRITING

Steps in Planning a Speech

A. Topic Selection
The first step in speech process is to select an interesting topic that can excite the audience.

Suggestion in Choosing a Topic

Ø Have a message.
Question: What shall I talk about?
Answer: I must have something to say. I must have a message.

Dos and Don’ts in Choosing a Topic

DO
1. Choose your subject with care and thought. You should believe in it and sell it.
2. Select a subject early and explore it.
3. Know your audience to suit the topic and occasion.
4. Examine your KNOW – FEEL – DO areas.
5. Choose subjects from variety of fields. Your interest should guide you when your knowledge is limited.

DON’T
1. Pick a subject at random. Haphazard selection is dangerous.
2. Wait on the day of schedule and cram on the preparation.
3. Choose a subject blindly without considering the needs and desires of the audience.
4. Copy thoughts from books without putting them in your heart and mind.
5. Be afraid of the subject about which you know little. If you are interested, nothing will stop you from getting facts and researching about it.

General Fields to Consider in Choosing a Topic
Sports Literature
Arts Technology
Crime Famous People
Business Vacation Experiences
Medicine Traffic Problems
Journalism Scientific Discovery
Hobbies Music
Movies Travel

Note: One must come up with specific topics out from his chosen general field.

B. Researching your Topic
The next concern after selecting the topic is to get sufficient information about the topic. The kind of material that makes speeches interesting, lively, challenging, and convincing is that which is concrete, vivid, and which comes within the experience of the listeners.

Possible Sources of Information
1. Personal Experience
A personal anecdote or testimony can add interest to a speech.
2. Reference Areas
Look for references like encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, and other sources
which can give valuable data for the speech.
3. Card Catalogs
One needs to go to the library and look for information catalogs. One needs to look at the author, title and subject either cards or on computer.
4. Internet
The internet can give an updated source of information that contains internationally accepted principles.
5. Government Agencies
Most municipal agencies give out pamphlets or brochures that contain updated information.
6. Interviews
People with specific specialization are good sources of information.

Items to Look For

1. Facts – to be used as the basis of a talk
2. Illustrations or Examples – to throw light on a statement, helping to make it clear and moor easily understood
3. Quotations – to add weight to what the speaker says
4. Statistics – to prove a point
5. Anecdotes – to attract the attention of listeners
6. Incidents – to catch the attention and interest of the listeners
7. Analogies – to add color to what the speaker says
8. Epigrams – to summarize a general idea
9. Visual Material – to help the audience see what you mean

Speech Purpose
Every speaker must ask himself, “What am I trying to inform, persuade or entertain?” If the purpose is clear, he is now ready to structure and organize his speech.
*Textbook (pp. 107 – 124)


C. Speech Outline (Farell, 2000)

Title of Speech: ___________________________________________________
Purpose of Speech: ________________________________________________
Thesis: __________________________________________________________
Time of Speech: ___________________________________________________
Type of Audience: _________________________________________________

I. Introduction
A. Use one or a combination of suggested approaches.
B. Preview the speech.
1. Se the tone.
2. Give your thesis or main idea. Make sure your focus is clear.
3. Give your intentions for the topic and set the parameters of your
speech.
4. Arouse interest in yourself as a speaker.
5. Arouse interest in your subject.

II. The Body or Discussion Area
A. Support your thesis
B. Use the most appropriate pattern of organization.
C. Elaborate on main points.
1. Give major ideas larger treatment.
2. Divide speech to accent those major ideas.
3. Subordinate minor or lesser ideas.
4. Develop ideas well enough for the comprehension level for the comprehension level of your audience.
5. Check your logic fro these points: unity and continuity, coherence, and emphasis.
6. Never make a statement without considering the support you will give it.
7. Ask yourself if you fulfilled expectations and intentions of your introduction.

III. Conclusion
A. Use one or more of the suggested approach.
B. Sum up, review, or refocus the main areas of the speech.
C. Make the last word of your speech appropriate for your audience.
D. Disengage yourself positively from your audience. Know exactly how you are going to conclude and always be decisive. One you have concluded, thank the audience for their attention, and then sit down.



SAMPLE

Your Name: Valerie Ongchangco Aquino
Title of Speech: A man for All Seasons
Purpose of Speech: To reinforce the high opinion of the audience for Jose Rizal
Thesis: Jose Rizal’s love of country, courage, and intelligence are sources of inspiration to us all.
Time of Speech: 10 minutes
Types of Audience: Graduating students major in Social Sciences

I. Introduction
A. Refer to the audience and the occasion.
B. Use factors of attention: familiarity, reality and proximity.
C. Preview

II. Body of the Speech
A. Give reasons for praising Dr. Jose Rizal.
B. Use the chronological sequential pattern.
C. Discuss Rizal’s love of country, courage, and intelligence.
D. Provide examples and illustrations of these qualities.
E. Use testimonial by fellow writers, linguists, and poets.

III. Conclusion
A. Refer to another illustration; refer to the audience; end with a climax.
B. Use a quote from former Rizalista and Masons and disengage from the audience.
C. Ask for applause from the audience for the late Dr. Jose P. Rizal.