Question

Drafting a Speech. Discuss in groups each block and make notes about it.

Answer 1

1. Do I know the format?
   Prepare a structure.  
   a. Introduction, b. The Body, and c. Conclusion
2. How to start? 
   Condense the speech’s main idea or purpose into one sentence that can be used to begin a presentation. Share a startling fact or statistic, relate a humorous anecdote to a big idea, or begin with a question. 
3. What to write?
   • A popular story with an updated setting
   • A memory, but from the perspectives of those who were present.
   • An imaginary interview with a stranger who draws the speaker’s attention
   • About my life, if I had taken a different path
   • Today’s headlines
4. How to bring quality to my speech?
   • Maintain an appropriate tone throughout the speech.
   • Provide visual aids if it is allowed.
   • Practice and check for weak spots that I can improve.
   • Give it rhythm. A good speech has pacing.
   • Ask rhetorical questions in a way that attracts listeners’ attention. Vary the sentence structure. Use short sentences. Use occasional long ones to keep the audience alert. Fragments are fine if used sparingly and for emphasis.
5. What are the relevant thoughts/slogans, maxims?
   • Use quotes. Good quotes work on several levels, forcing the audience to think. Make sure quotes are clearly attributed and said by someone my audience will probably recognize.
6. Which are the most important elements to be included?
   • I should practice until I don’t need a script.
   • Body language is absolutely necessary.
   • Make every effort to engage the audience.
7. What is the systematic overall procedure to justify an impressive speech?
   • If all the above points are covered, then by virtue of that particular speech will be considered impressive.
8. What should be the size/length of the speech?
   • The average person speaks at a rate of 125 to 150 words per minute. It is almost always preferable to speak slowly rather than quickly. Thus, if I am speaking for 20 minutes, I should aim for a total word count of 2,500-3,000 words.