Public Speaking and Speech

by Asriyati Amanah Fahmi, 1306377631

EFN III, Class B
Public speaking is about talking in front of a group of people, usually with some
preparation but its depends on you. Because it can be you talking in front of people that you
know (e.g. at a family celebration) or a crowd of people that you dont know. Unlike a
presentation there normally isnt a lot of opportunity for interaction between the audience and the
speaker the speaker speaks, and the audience (hopefully) listens. In speech, speaker must know
about audience needs to understand what speaker talking about. Because for speech, there is no
one asks you to speak in public without having a good reason. It might be because youre an
expert in your field. It might be because you have experienced something that you can share to
an audience. It might be because youre important person of a campaign or charitable
organization. Or it might be because the person asking you thinks you are one of the above. The
very first thing you need to do is to stop and think about why youve been asked. If you cant
answer that question, you may not be the right person to talk and you should leave right now,
before you waste any more time (Lamerton, 2001). So its important to speaker prepared about
anything before deliver their speech.
In the beginning, speaker must assessment their self with some question.

Why have I been asked to speak? Think about the person who asked you are you clear

about their agenda?

Who am I talking to? Think about who is in the audience and how you can find out more

about them, including their needs, expertise and expectations.

What do I want to achieve? Set your objective and your end result. These will be the solid
foundations on which you build your presentation. There are several possible objectives for a
speech, usually: to inform, to prompt an action, to provoke emotion, to entertain, or to
promote discussion. So, speeches have different functions. These include being persuasive
(e.g. trying to convince the audience to vote for you), informative (e.g. speaking about the
dangers of climate change), entertaining (e.g. a best mans speech at a wedding) or
celebratory (e.g. to introduce the winner of an award). Some speeches may have more than
one of these aims (Lightfoot, 2010).

Then, speaker choose a topic for their speech. To create a good speech, choose your topic
and decide what the focus of your speech will be. Writing a speech outline is simple and easy if
you remember the basic elements of any good speech, there are:
an introduction

1.

Think and decide how you will open your speech. Asking a question or making a bold
statement are two possible ways to get the attention of your audience. In the introduction you
will also let the audience know what your speech will be about.
a body with logically organized main points and sub points

2.

Then decide upon the main point and sub points for your speech. The body of your speech
outline will be made up of the main points and sub points. Make sure your points are distinct
and carry equal weight in terms of importance. Determine the logical order of your main
points, depending on the type of organization you will use. Your speech outline can be
organized topically, chronologically or spatially.

Topical speech organization means that the main points are different parts of the whole,
or different categories.

In a chronological organization the points are presented in the order of events.

Points in a spatially organized speech are presented by how they are placed in relation to
each other, for example, left to right, east to west or north to south.

3.

a conclusion
Finally, create a conclusion for your speech that summarizes your main points and leaves the
audience with a positive impression (Albury, 2011).
There some tips about speaker must do and dont for starting speech (Whalen, 2003).

FIVE SPEECH STARTING DOs

1) Bring your cue card not the script!
Because reading from a script is like riding your bike with stabilizers. Cue card helping
speaker to focus on audience response about speakers speech. Cue cards are easier to handle,
less likely to get damaged, then smaller and thicker so its less noticeable if youre shaking.
2) Use physical activity to get the audience's attention.
A theme related physical activity can also help the audience generate a visual image of your
topic. Often you can draw on that later in the speech. A speech on the importance of exercise

could open with jumping jacks. A speech on child abuse could open with the speaker striking
an object with great force.
3) Make a startling statement or present a startling statistic.
Example: "Government officials in the United States have murdered 23 American citizens!"
might open a speech opposing the death penalty. This type of opening can create a feeling of
suspense and anticipation of the statement's justification.
4) Tell a theme related joke.
Humor isn't for everyone and it's a little risky if you aren't familiar with the audience, but
nothing wins audiences over as much as a good laugh.
5) Provide an apt quotation.
In addition to framing the theme of the speech, you can generate credibility by demonstrating
that you are familiar enough with the topic literature to have found such an appropriate
quotation.
6) Relate a relevant story.
Most people give only a few formal public speeches in their lives, yet we all tell stories every
day. Telling a story can be a comfortable and natural way to generate momentum for the rest
of the speech.
FIVE SPEECH STARTING DON'Ts
1) Begin with "Hi, my name is"

The sentences most likely to be remembered by the audience are the very first and the very
last sentences you utter. Don't throw away the opportunity to do something meaningful in the
opening line.
2) Make a false start.

Avoid apologies and tentative statements that can put your credibility in question. Some
typical phrases to avoid are: "Well, here goes," "Where shall I start?" and "Can you hear me
OK in the back?"
3) Use a rhetorical question.

Typically they result in an awkward moment. Because the audience is unsure if a response is
really desired by the speaker. This can erode your confidence.
4) Go overboard.

You want to be creative and innovative in attracting audience attention, but your opening
should be consistent with your personality and with the tone of the rest of the speech.
5) Fail to consider how you'll get to the podium.
Speaking areas are often crowded and nothing destroys your credibility like tripping on the
way to the front of your audience. This happens to someone famous every year!

References
Albury, C. (2011). Informative speech outline. Retrieved from http://www.best-speechtopics.com/informative-speech-outline.html in September 13, 2015. 10.00am
Lamerton, J. (2001). Everything you need to know public speaking. London: HarperCollins
Publishers.
Lightfoot, A. (2010). Public speaking. Retrieved from
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/public-speaking-skills in September 13, 2015.
09.20am
Whalen, S. (2003). Public speaking skills. Retrieved from
http://www.sfsu.edu/~testing/PSpeakingASLinks.html in September 13, 2015. 09.20am