Public speaking is audience and situation centered. Every aspect of speech making, from choosing topics to delivering the actual speech, should be tailored with the audience in mind. For example, if you give a speech about traffic safety to a group of 5 year olds, you might discuss how to cross the street. However, the topic of traffic safety, if presented to a group of 50 year olds, might include defensive driving – and other extremely different sub-topics. The way in which the speech would be delivered would also be different. When presenting to 5 year olds, the use of animations and drawings may help to convey your message. When presenting to 50 year olds, you may include the use of statistics in your speech and provide concrete, real-world examples about traffic safety. This is a realistic approach to audience analysis.
Brainstorm a topic for an informative speech that is different from the topic you have chosen to present in Week Three. Then consider two different audiences that you want to deliver the speech to. In your initial post, tell us your topic, purpose, and two audiences that you might deliver the speech to. Then, describe how the delivery would be different for each audience. Be sure to reference material from “The Audience” section in Chapter 3 of the textbook to support your ideas.
Here is an example of what the format of your initial post should look like:
Topic: The Value of Higher Education
Purpose: To inform the audience about the types of careers that require a college degree.
Audiences: Junior High students; High School students.
You will then begin to write your post in narrative form by describing how the speech content and presentation might differ for the two audiences in regard to the specific topic and the delivery of the speech.
Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references according to APA formatting as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Respond to at least two of your classmates posts by Day 7.
Required Resources
Text
Tinianow, D. (2017). New traditions in public speaking. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Chapter 3: Understanding the Speech Situation
Chapter 4: Informative Speeches
Chapter 8: Public Speaking in the Digital Age
Chapter 9: Evaluating Speeches
Supplemental Material
Informative Presentation Outline Template
For use in this weeks assignment.
Recommended Resources
Listening to Speeches
Resources from this section will provide guidance on effective listening skills for speeches.
Ferraro, V., & Palmer, K. C. (n.d.). Listening (Links to an external site.). Speaking and Arguing: The Rhetoric of Peace and War. Retrieved from https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/speech/listening.htm
Self-Evaluation
Resources from this section will provide advice on effective self-evaluation of speaking skills.
Ancowitz, N. (2010, May 3). Self-promotion for introverts: Cool tools for public speakers (Links to an external site.) [Self-assessment]. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/self-promotion-introverts/201005/cool-tool-public-speakers
Dlugan, A. (n.d.). Speech preparation #9: Prepare now for your next speech (Links to an external site.). Six Minutes. Retrieved from http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-preparation-9-self-critique/
Topic Selection
Resources from this section will provide advice on selecting a topic that is suited to planning an effective speech.
Abbott, R. F. (2005, April 28). How to find ideas for articles and speeches (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Find-Ideas-for-Articles-and-Speeches&id=31608
Buffington, C. W., III. (2007, May). For the novice: Simple steps to writing a fantastic speech (Links to an external site.). Toastmasters International. Retrieved from http://www.toastmasters.org/ToastmastersMagazine/ToastmasterArchive/2007/May/Departments/FantasticSpeech.aspx
Paulson, T. (n.d.). Public speaking: Have passion for your topic (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-passion-article.htm
Speech Development
Resources from this section will provide information on moving from a speech topic to a detailed outline for an effective speech.
Antion, T. (n.d.). Public speaking: Learn public speaking material easily using bits (AKA chunks or series) (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-bits-article.htm
Cox Communications Small Business Navigation Program. (2012, January). Total recall: How to remember your speech without memorizing (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://www.diresta.com/resources/articles/total-recall-how-to-remember-your-speech-without-memorizing/
Khoury, P. (2015, June 04). The top 9 characteristics of effective public speakers (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from https://magneticspeaking.com/the-top-9-characteristics-of-effective-public-speakers/
Informative Speaking
This resource provides specific guidance on informational speaking.
Informative speaking (Links to an external site.). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=52
Introductions and Openings
Resources from this section will provide advice and guidance on techniques for effective speech openings.
Antion, T. (n.d.). Public speaking: Attention gaining devices (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-attentiondevices-article.htm
Antion, T. (n.d.). Public speaking: Lay down the law (Links to an external site.). Retrieved from http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-laydownlaw-article.htm
Specific purpose statement (Links to an external site.). (2002). Retrieved from the University of Hawaii website: http://www.hawaii.edu/mauispeech/html/your_purpose.html
