The qualifications of a
good speech
What is a good speech? A good speech moves an audience where a speaker wants it to go. They focus on its purpose and strive to achieve the
purpose in the minds and hearts of an audience.
1. Topic:
What interests both you and your audience.
Not too general or too narrow
2. Content
Since the main aim of the speech will be to influence people, a lot of attention has to be paid on the content.
The speech should be logical and it should be written in lucid style that it is easily understood by the crowd.
People will better understand and identify with terms they usually hear and use.
2.1 Rich content:
informative or persuasive;
2.1 Brevity
The speech should not be unnecessarily long. A long speech will tend to bore the
audience and will eventually not have a proper impact on any of them. The speech should be concise and influencing at the same time. Results have actually pointed out that a small speech is a good speech -the thing that matters is the content.
2.3 Audience-oriented:2.4 Organized structure: logically
3. Delivery:
3.1 Speak clearly: the rate of your speech; pause;
3.2 Varity and tone in voice:
don't keep the same dull monotone. use expression in your voice. the more
enthusiastic you are about the topic, the more the audience will be. if you seem as though you could care less, they will too!
3.2 The use of body language:
Using gestures and dynamics is a terrific way to capture your listeners' attention. Regardless of how short or long your presentation is, you need to keep the audience listening. Gestures will also be a terrific way to highlight an important the main message.
3.2.1 EYE CONTACT
not just with one person either! look around the room, but don't jump around so much.
3.2.2 HAND GESTURES
don't go crazy. put them in only where natural and appropriate. you don't want your hands to take away from the gravity of your speech.
Analysis of I have a dream1.IntroductiontoMartinLutherKing,Jr.
(January15,1929–April4,1968):anAmericanclergyman,activist,andprominentleaderintheAfrican-AmericanCivilRightsMovement.
theyoungestpersontoreceivetheNobelPeacePrizeforhisworktoendracialsegregationandracialdiscriminationnonviolentmeans.
assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee
2. Analysis of the sppech
2.1 In speechwriting
Emphasize phrases by repeating at the beginning of sentences
Repeat key “theme” words throughout your speech
Utilize appropriate quotations or allusions Use specific examples to “ground” your arguments
Use metaphors to highlight contrasting concepts
2. In delivery
• The remarkable emotion of King’s delivery in King's voice and body as he made the speech
• The site at which it was delivered –on the steps of the memorial to the
President who defeated southern states over the issue of slavery
Lecture 3
How to prepare a speech
1. Choosing a topic
There are literally endless possibilities for speech topics.
Two categories of potential topicsSubjects you know a lot about
Subjects you want to know more about
1.1 subjects you know a lot about
Most people speak best about subject with which they are familiar with. When thinking about a topic, draw on your own knowledge and experience.
1.2 subjects you want to know more about
if you decide to make your speech a
learning process for you and your audience, you may choose this kind of subjects. (e.g. the oral presentation )
2. Deciding your purpose (general & specific)
2.1 Deciding your general purpose:
to inform or to persuade
To inform, you act like a teacher, your goal is to convey information clearly and accurately.
To persuade, you want to change or structure others’ attitude or actions.
2.1 Deciding the specific purpose
The specific purpose should focus on one aspect of your speech.
(to inform my audience about …; to persuade my audience to )
e.g. 1. topic: music therapy
general purpose: to inform
specific purpose: to inform my audience the
benefit of music therapy for people with heart disease
e.g. 2.
topic: environment protection general purpose: to persuade
Specific purpose: to persuade my audience to use less plastic bags
3. Analyzing the audience
“ 当我准备发言时，总会花三分之二的时间琢磨人们想听什么，而只用三分之一的时间考虑我想说什么。” ——亚伯拉罕. 林肯
Ask yourself: who might be your audience? What are they characteristics?
3.1 Demographic audience analysis
人口统计学因素分析：educational, cultural background…
age, sex, religion,
people usually want to hear what is
meaningful to them. So we should find out what interests them or what may be related to them.
3.2 situational audience analysis:
E.g. the size of the audience, setting for the speech(time&place)
3.2.1 the larger the audience, the more formal your speech should be.
3.2.2 for example. If your speech is
schedule after lunch or dinner, do your best to make your speech interesting.
Also, check the place wether it is too small; does it has any visual aids? (ppt?)Key：换位思考（Put yourself in other people's shoes）
4. Gathering the material
4.1usingyourknowledge
4.2doinglibraryresearch:books,magazines,newspaper,encyclopedia,informationforminternet.
4.3DoinginterviewDiscussion:
Giveaspeechabout“healty”touniversitystudentsandretiredseniorsrespectivlty.Whatisthedifference?
Reminder: prepare for your own speech.
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