Speaking in public

A speech is the act of expressing or describing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions with words in public. There are four different types of speeches that can be given.

* Informative   This is designed to explain, instruct, or clarify
* Persuasive    This influences, motivates to act, or sells.
* Inspirational This inspires or helps the listeners to celebrate or commemorate.
* Improvisational This is given without prior preparation.

Brainstorming and clustering

This is a way to organize your ideas easily, when brainstorming you focus on the topic and write down a list of any words, thoughts, or phrases that come to mind regarding that topic. Not every idea will be used in your speech, but the list will help in develop it.

Another way to gather ideas is by using method called clustering. It is a conceptual map helping to develop a variety of alternatives for the speech. Begin with the main topic in the center. As ideas come, extend a line from the central topic outward to the new ideas. Continue doing so as the ideas come. This process nowadays is also known as mind map.

Parts of speech

Introduction

The role of the introduction is to capture the audience’s attention and introduce the general theme. This can be accomplished by any of the following methods.

* Ask rhetorical questions. This will cause the audience to begin thinking about the topic.
* Surprising statistics.
* Use a quotation. Remember to give credit where credit is due.
* Graphic description. This will draw a picture in the minds of those in the audience.

Body

The body is where your principal and subordinate points will be expressed. It is important that your ideas are expressed as clearly as possible to avoid confusion. Divide the body into from three to five principal points, each one having one or more subordinate points and supporting  material. Supporting material can be testimonials, analogies, statistics and stories. These give the audience reason to believe your principal ideas.

Conclusion

The conclusion should summarize the principal ideas given in the body. It should also reinforce the points you want the listeners remember. Do not spend too much time concluding the speech.

This was based on Quick Learning Personal Development Workshop.

I hope you find this helpful.