Remind Me - Why Am I Speaking?
How many times have you ever been instructed "begin with the end in mind"? I'm sure you can answer "many times.
" But the one time I know for sure that this is good advice is when you have to prepare a speech or presentation.
When I have to prepare a speech, the first thing I write is a clear statement of the purpose for that speech.
I begin by writing "At the end of my speech, I want the audience to walk away...
" and I fill in what I want them to walk away with or how I want them to walk away feeling, etc.
When you deliver enough speeches you will learn that there are six basic reasons for speaking.
Bearing these in mind as you write your purpose statement will help you get clearer on the purpose of your speech.
So here they are: 1.
To inform - A speech to inform, describes, defines, or demonstrates something e.
g.
the current state of Parent Teachers Associations in your country or a report on the activities of the Paint Dryers Inc.
This type of speech is not difficult and a new Public Speaking kid on the block should be able to master it.
2.
To Explain - As the term suggests, these speeches are intended to make a speaker's meaning clear.
E.
g.
how to fund a new business or the difference between revenue and profit.
This is a basic type of speech, and at the end, your audience should understand clearly what you set out to explain.
3.
To Persuade - the purpose of such a speech is to convince your audience to change their beliefs, feelings, motives, conduct or point of view.
A speaker will skillfully blend logic and emotional appeal supported by a strong call to action, to achieve this purpose.
4.
To Impress - This kind of speech stimulates the feelings and emotions of the listeners, and reinforces their appreciation for a person or a thing.
Examples of such speeches are those spoken on behalf of the bride and groom at a wedding and a eulogy.
Sometimes these speeches are so "well done" that the audience has difficulty recognizing the subject! 5.
To Entertain - when we think of entertaining speeches, we think of the story, the narrative or the after dinner speech to an audience who is not in the mood for serious or profound thought at that moment.
This is not to suggest that the speech is trivial because in Public Speaking, an experienced speaker can bring a serious point on 'a vehicle of humour".
6.
To Inspire - to inspire means "to breathe new life into".
Usually the inspiring speech will not necessarily say anything you have not heard before, but the speaker should deliver the information in such a way that it affects you in a way that it has never done before.
So if the purpose of the speech was to inspire you to support a charity, if it was really successful you would be handing over your next pay check to that charity.
Of course you are free to have any other purpose not listed above.
But whatever you do, try to have only one purpose per speech and begin your writing with that purpose in mind.
" But the one time I know for sure that this is good advice is when you have to prepare a speech or presentation.
When I have to prepare a speech, the first thing I write is a clear statement of the purpose for that speech.
I begin by writing "At the end of my speech, I want the audience to walk away...
" and I fill in what I want them to walk away with or how I want them to walk away feeling, etc.
When you deliver enough speeches you will learn that there are six basic reasons for speaking.
Bearing these in mind as you write your purpose statement will help you get clearer on the purpose of your speech.
So here they are: 1.
To inform - A speech to inform, describes, defines, or demonstrates something e.
g.
the current state of Parent Teachers Associations in your country or a report on the activities of the Paint Dryers Inc.
This type of speech is not difficult and a new Public Speaking kid on the block should be able to master it.
2.
To Explain - As the term suggests, these speeches are intended to make a speaker's meaning clear.
E.
g.
how to fund a new business or the difference between revenue and profit.
This is a basic type of speech, and at the end, your audience should understand clearly what you set out to explain.
3.
To Persuade - the purpose of such a speech is to convince your audience to change their beliefs, feelings, motives, conduct or point of view.
A speaker will skillfully blend logic and emotional appeal supported by a strong call to action, to achieve this purpose.
4.
To Impress - This kind of speech stimulates the feelings and emotions of the listeners, and reinforces their appreciation for a person or a thing.
Examples of such speeches are those spoken on behalf of the bride and groom at a wedding and a eulogy.
Sometimes these speeches are so "well done" that the audience has difficulty recognizing the subject! 5.
To Entertain - when we think of entertaining speeches, we think of the story, the narrative or the after dinner speech to an audience who is not in the mood for serious or profound thought at that moment.
This is not to suggest that the speech is trivial because in Public Speaking, an experienced speaker can bring a serious point on 'a vehicle of humour".
6.
To Inspire - to inspire means "to breathe new life into".
Usually the inspiring speech will not necessarily say anything you have not heard before, but the speaker should deliver the information in such a way that it affects you in a way that it has never done before.
So if the purpose of the speech was to inspire you to support a charity, if it was really successful you would be handing over your next pay check to that charity.
Of course you are free to have any other purpose not listed above.
But whatever you do, try to have only one purpose per speech and begin your writing with that purpose in mind.
Source...