Speeches

[megakiller32]

Speech making is almost an art, and some people are good at it and others, awful, but what constitutes a good speech in your opinion?

 

I gotta try and avoid the Cliches such as beginning the speech off with the great line "I have a dream!" (Which i do remember alot of people doing last year :shock: )

 

The reason I'm asking is that I need to come up with a good speech, to be elected "House Captain" for my school, and read it outloud to a whole wad of people. So I need some good idea's to help me along perfect the speech, and hopefully get the leader role.

 

I haven't written anything yet because I have a month or two, but I'd like to start now, to get a jump ahead of all the other candidates to increase my chances :D

 

And if I don't, it's not the end of the world, it would just be a nice bonus :D

 

(Yay, i'm unbanned.)

[deloriagod]

I like to start speeches with a statement or question I want my listeners to keep in mind while they listen to what I have to say. I also like to keep my visual aids short and simple when they involve text. Generally it'll just be a few words making a point and helping me remember what I'm talking about next. Avoiding filler words is also something I worked hard on when I took a speech class (boring as hell listening to everyones' speeches). A general rule I learned in that class was not to lean on the podium, slouch, etc but I find I'm more willing to listen to someone who looks relaxed/at ease and connected with the audience than someone who's standing up there like a statue trying to be "perfect".

[Lateralus]

Be clear, concise, enthusiastic and witty. Start out punchy and try not to digress too much. If you've got a strict time limit, stick to the point. Digression can be interesting though; everyone loves an interesting anecdote.

[pryomancer]

It's not just the words you say.

 

Making lots of eye contact with as many people as possible, alternating your pitch of voice for variation, hand gestures and smiling will get you half way there already.

 

 

 

As for the speech itself, like deloriagod said, using rhetorical questions as a beginning is a good starting point. Use short sentences as well. Not constant strings of 4 word sentences, but make them concise and to the point. People will stop paying attention if you start waffling on for ages.

 

 

 

Structure your speech in clear sections of the same topic. Sounds obvious, but it will help to keep the audience understanding where you are.

 

Another thing about keeping the audience in the right position, use discourse markers. Things like 'firstly....', 'however...' or 'to conclude...' etc allow the audience to follow exactly where you are in terms of your progression through your speech.

[Zierro]

It should be creative, interesting, and enlightening.

[Lenin64]

Anecdotal evidence may help.

[Cyco_Reborn]

Make people laugh in some way, shape or form. Whenever I give speeches I sometimes put on a different accent, or at the least use a variety of tone. Not so sure about writing one though.

[assassin_696]

I think this is an excellent list of some of the greatest speeches in history. When I get a little more time, I plan on reading one a day, or listening, preferably.

[Toxic388]

First of all, everyone can perfect their speech, it's called practice.

 

 

 

Think of what your topic is, try not to pick controversial topics because that will cause a debate between you and your audience. Mostly everyone in high-school and early college pick informative/persuasive speeches. In my college class I had to do both.

 

 

 

Basically, be it an informative or a persuasive speech, you want to start it out with a strong thesis and a listener's catch. Thesis is one sentence that is true about your topic. "Oranges are healthy" - is a perfect example of a thesis. Both of those can be combined in as little as one sentence. After a thesis, do an opener which consist your main points of the speech your audience is about to hear. Be clear and straight to the point.

 

 

 

Depending on your time limit, divide your main body of the speech into three points. Lets for example i'm talking to you about music. First main point - music history. Second main point - Music genres. Third main point - music instruments. You get the idea. Describe each one of those points in detail, again depending on your time limit. Visual aids help, such as powerpoint or a poster.

 

 

 

And to wrap it up, do a conclusion which is restating your thesis, recalling your three main points and a concluding sentence.

 

 

 

Hope that helps.

[PumpkinPete112]

Start off your speech with a powerful fact that will grab your listeners intrest (Example: In the 15 Minutes you take to eat your fresh cooked meal, 1500 children die of hunger..)

 

 

 

And during the speech just seem calm and cool, if you make a mistake, wisecrack yourself for making it, (keep appropriate and keep on going)

 

 

 

Dont get nervous, i have a speech impediment, and a moderate wisp and im still one of the best speech givers in the school.

[Kenshinjapan]

Start off your speech with a powerful fact that will grab your listeners intrest (Example: In the 15 Minutes you take to eat your fresh cooked meal, 1500 children die of hunger..)

 

 

 

And during the speech just seem calm and cool, if you make a mistake, wisecrack yourself for making it, (keep appropriate and keep on going)

 

 

 

Dont get nervous, i have a speech impediment, and a moderate wisp and im still one of the best speech givers in the school.

 

 

 

Never make a wisecrack if you say a mistake. Simply say "excuse me, " and continue on. When people interrupt a story to correct a minor mistake, it takes away from the speech.