Speech Preparation Guide

Posted on Oct 5, 2024 in Language

Steps for Preparing a Speech or Presentation

Public speaking is essential for collaboration, planning, service provision, teaching, and learning. Effective communication fosters goodwill and understanding. Poor communication, often stemming from fear or prioritizing appearances over ideas, leads to confusion and conflict. Mastering effective speaking is crucial.

Goals of a Speech

  • Report
  • Teach
  • Train
  • Encourage
  • Motivate
  • Persuade
  • Convince
  • Debate
  • Negotiate
  • Entertain

Content Preparation

Rhetoric, an ancient discipline, encompasses the design, organization, memorization, and delivery of speeches. It considers text organization and pragmatic elements: speaker, audience, context, and subject matter. Originating in Greece, rhetoric has evolved across different periods.

Four Stages of Speech Preparation

  • Inventio: Discovering what to say; selecting appropriate content.
  • Dispositio: Structuring the discovered content.
  • Elocutio: Adding stylistic elements and rhetorical figures for clarity and impact.
  • Actio: Delivery of the speech using voice and gestures (crucial in classical rhetoric).

Before preparing a speech, consider: your communication skills, assertiveness, ability to read your audience, and your capacity to use and receive feedback.

Steps to Create Your Discourse

  1. Select a Topic: Choose a topic and define your focus.
  2. Gather Information: Use all available resources to research your topic.
  3. Select Materials: Choose the most relevant and engaging information, avoiding unnecessary details.
  4. Choose Supporting Materials: Visual aids (presentations, slides, etc.) increase audience engagement and retention.
  5. Construct the Message: Create an outline and follow it step-by-step.
  6. Develop a Conclusion: Craft a memorable and impactful conclusion.

Content Development

The dispositio, or structuring of content, often involves four parts:

  1. Introduction: Capture attention and present the argument’s structure.
  2. Statement of Facts/Narrative: Present relevant information.
  3. Argumentation: Present evidence and reasoning. This includes:
    • Defining the issue.
    • Presenting supporting arguments.
    • Altercatio: Addressing potential counterarguments.
  4. Conclusion/Epilogue: Summarize the main points and appeal to the audience’s emotions.
Discourse Model
Visual Media

Visual aids (blackboard, transparencies, computer screens, etc.) can: capture attention, improve understanding, enhance the presentation, project professionalism, and reassure the speaker.