essay

Introduction

Attention getter

A buy-in for your audience to get your audience’s attention. Examples: Asking questions, giving statistics, telling a story, using humor, citing quotations---be creative!

Related topic to audience

WIIFM---What’s in it for me?---Something to make your audience interested in your topic. What can you say to establish why this is beneficial for your audience?

Established speaker credibility

Extrinsic---outside credibility, derived from the speaker being an expert in a given field

Intrinsic---credibility derived from the speaker during the speech by evidence and presenting style. This is where you might mention any personal connection or experience you have with the topic. Otherwise, focus on building credibility with how you speak to the audience.

Thesis statement clearly stated

One sentence statement that summarizes/outlines the main purpose of your speech

Highlight of main points

A preview statement that serves as an introduction to the details of what you’ll be covering

Transition to the body of the speech

“First let’s talk about”

Content

Transition from main point to main point

Key words such as “Next let’s talk about,” “Now let’s discuss,” “The next point I’d like to address is,” that highlight for your audience to know you are moving on to something new. Make sure to give these variety.

Topic selection

· Is your topic narrow enough?

· Is your topic appropriate for your audience (demographics)?

· Did you consider how the audience feels about your topic (psychographics)?

Make sure your topic is specific so we know the information we need to know in 4-6 minutes in detail. Ask yourself if you are going into detail about something new for your audience or scratching the surface about a variety of topics.

Citing of sources (Make sure they are credible/relevant)

According to, The Wall Street Journal reported, President Obama stated in his speech, In her new book, The Journal of Communication Studies, etc.,

Organization

· Do your main points relate back to the thesis?

· Do you manage to stay on-topic?

Do you stay in order, or do you go off topic.

Quality of content

· Is the material covered in-depth?

· Did you tell us something new about your topic?

Did you spend a lot of time telling us what we already knew, or did you go in depth for us about something new?

Conclusion

Transition to conclusion

“In conclusion,” or some other type of wording to let us know you’re about to be finished

Restating of thesis

State it in a different way

Recap of main points

A sentence reminding us of each point

Take-away/clincher

Leave us with some type of memorable thought or saying to remember your topic by

Delivery

Speaking effectiveness (rate, volume, vocal quality, tone)

Speak comfortably in a way that allows you to connect with your audience

Eye contact with audience

Make natural eye contact, “scanning” the room

Posture and movement

Keep yourself from swaying; pay attention to your hand gestures, etc.,

Speaking style

· Were you rehearsed enough to be extemporaneous?

· Did you effectively utilize notecards?

Visual Aid

Effective use of visual aid

Don’t type out your speech and read it. Minimal text. Remember, you present the visual aid, it does not present you.