Speech Writing Principles

Deciding what to talk about in a speech.

A topic relevant and useful to the audience at the current moment.

A topic that resonates with the audience's background knowledge.

A topic that motivates and engages the speaker and the audience.

Gathering information about your audience to tailor your speech.

Audience characteristics like age, gender, etc that shape speech needs.

Audience's beliefs, values, and attitudes that influence speech, needs

Audience's context, affecting speech needs (e.g., gathering, party)

The audience's characteristics greatly influence how you deliver and develop your speech.

A general overview of audience characteristics like age, gender, culture, religion, education, and occupation.

The organizations your audience is associated with (e.g., political groups, community clubs).

Understanding audience perceptions, values, opinions, attitudes, beliefs, interests, needs, and pre-existing notions about the topic and speaker.

Audience knowledge about the topic. Adjust your speech for beginners or experts.

Audience's prior knowledge about the speaker, forming assumptions.

Analyzing the environment and setting you'll be in, considering size, occasion, voluntary or captive nature, and physical setting.

The number of people in your audience, influencing the delivery and content of your speech.

Audience members who actively choose to attend and often ask questions due to their interest in the topic.

Audience members forced to attend, needing extra effort to make your speech engaging and interesting.

The venue of your speech, considering its size and how it influences your delivery and equipment needs.

A mnemonic device for sourcing reliable information: Seek Reliable References, Provide Supporting Information, Extract Important Points, Ethical Information Must be Sought, Cite Sources, Head Start with Good Note Taking.

The overall goal you want to achieve with your speech, such as informing, persuading, motivating, or entertaining.

A clear and concise statement that outlines the main idea of your speech and what you want to accomplish.

The main points or arguments you will present in your speech, forming the structure of your presentation.

Propositions that advocate for change in laws, policies, or procedures.

Appealing to the speaker's credibility and trustworthiness to persuade the audience.

Appealing to the audience's emotions, values, and beliefs to create a connection.

Appealing to logic and reason using facts, data, and evidence.

Faulty reasoning that undermines the logic of an argument.

Attacking the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself.

Using an authority figure's opinion to support an argument, even if the authority is not an expert in the subject.

Using pity or sympathy to persuade an audience, even if the argument itself is weak.

Claiming that something is true because many people believe it, even if there's no evidence to support it.

Claiming something is true because it hasn't been proven false, or vice versa.

Assuming that because one event happened after another, the first event caused the second.

Asking a question that assumes a certain answer is true, even if it hasn't been proven.

Attacking a person's character instead of addressing their argument.

Presenting incorrect or misleading information to support an argument.

Shifting the focus of an argument to avoid addressing the main issue.

Moments in someone's life where they experience something shocking, controversial, or startling, revealing unexpected truths or deep insights.

A speech that tells a story, often based on personal experiences, community tales, or famous figures like Carlos Yulo's journey.

The main sections of a speech that expand on the main idea, supporting it with details, evidence, and logical arguments.

A summary of the main supporting points that will be discussed to support the main idea of the speech.

Words or phrases that help smoothly connect ideas and guide the audience seamlessly between different parts of the speech.

The final section of a speech that summarizes key points and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

A speech designed to educate the audience on a particular topic by informing, explaining, or providing knowledge.

A speech that aims to uplift, motivate, or inspire the audience's emotions and encourage positive action.

A speech that argues for a specific viewpoint or action, attempting to convince the audience to change their thoughts or behaviors.

A speech delivered to commemorate a specific event, honor someone, or mark a significant milestone.

A speech delivered by reading directly from a written script, ensuring accuracy and adhering to specific information.

A speech delivered by reciting it from memory, requiring extensive preparation and precise delivery.

A speech delivered with little or no preparation time, requiring quick thinking, improvisation, and a clear structure.

A speech delivered with some preparation time, allowing for organized thoughts and a structured approach, without memorizing the exact lines.

An argument that assumes the truth of its conclusion to support itself, creating a logical loop.

A type of circular argument where the premise and conclusion are essentially the same, making the argument invalid.

Visual, audio, or audiovisual materials used to enhance and supplement a speech, engaging the audience's senses.

Materials that appeal to the audience's sense of sight, enhancing understanding and retention.

Materials that appeal to the audience's sense of hearing, supplementing visual aids and enhancing engagement.

Materials that combine both visual and audio elements, creating a multi-sensory experience.

A presentation aid whose content directly relates to the speech's message, enhancing understanding and avoiding confusion.

A presentation aid that aligns with the speech's subject matter and avoids offensive or inappropriate content.

A presentation aid that engages the audience's interest and attention, promoting positive reception and avoiding boredom.

A presentation aid with clear and legible text, ensuring accessibility for all audience members.

Using diverse presentation aids throughout the speech, keeping the audience engaged and preventing monotony.

Hearing is the physical reception of sound, while listening involves active processing and understanding of the message.

Different approaches and purposes for listening, ranging from simple sound recognition to deep understanding.

A conscious and engaged approach to listening, involving focus, attentiveness, and seeking understanding.

The ability to separate personal feelings from the message received.

Breaking into someone's speech before they finish.

Actions performed through speaking, like making a request or expressing an emotion.

The speaker's intended meaning behind their words, considering their purpose.

The effect the message has on the receiver, their response or behavior.

The literal interpretation of the words spoken, ignoring the speaker's intentions.

Speech acts that state facts, opinions, or beliefs.

Speech acts that aim to get the listener to do something.

Speech acts that commit the speaker to future action.

Speech acts that convey emotional states or attitudes.

Speech acts that change the state of affairs, like appointments or baptisms.

Stopping a conversation to avoid saying something regrettable.

Switching subjects to avoid a sensitive or difficult topic.

Using general expressions to avoid being specific.

Inventing new words to express a specific idea.

Using two languages within sentences, often with a smooth transition between them. The speaker consciously chooses to switch languages.

Changing the language used between sentences. The speaker deliberately switches to a different language for each new sentence.

Using unnecessary words or phrases to stall or avoid silence. This is problematic when overused.

Describing an idea vividly instead of using the actual word. It's like using a long description instead of a single word.

Using a similar or related word to refer to something. It involves using an almost-right word instead of the precise term.

Using non-verbal communication or actions instead of words. This can include gestures, facial expressions, or body language.

Asking for assistance to express your idea. This is a last resort when you struggle to find the right words.

Communication with oneself where you act as both sender and receiver. It's like talking to yourself.

Communication between two people. This can range from intimate relationships to formal encounters.

Communication involving more than two people. This can occur in teams, group discussions, or meetings.