Speech Communications ENGL 300 – Study Notes –
November to December 2020
Section 1: Beginning and Ending Your Speech
Introduction of a Speech:
● It's the first impression you make, so ● You could begin with a fact or a
make sure to grab your audience's humorous anecdote.
attention.
1) Purposes of the Introduction:
a. Grabs the audience's attention:
Use an illustration, startling fact or statistic, quotation, reference, historical
fact, a recent event, a personal reference, a reference to an occasion, or a
reference to a proceeding speech.
b. Gives the audience a reason to listen:
Tells the listeners how and why the topic affects them.
Proximity is the degree to which information affects your listeners directly.
c. Introduces the subject:
Presents the central idea to your audience.
The central idea helps ensure that your introduction introduces the subject
of your speech.
d. Previews your main idea:
Usually, the last sentence in the introduction includes the plan of
development of the speech.
This sentence either includes the central idea or follows the central idea
statement.
2) Effective Introductions May Include:
● Illustrations or anecdotes ● References to historical events, recent events,
● Startling facts or statistics the occasion, proceeding speeches
● Quotations ● Acknowledging speeches before your own
● Humor ● Questions
Conclusion of a Speech:
● Summarizes and provides a sense of ● Should provoke deeper thoughts or commitment
closure. to action.
1) Purposes of the Conclusion:
1
, a. Summarizes the speech:
Leaves the final impressions of you in your listeners' minds.
Rephrases the central idea in a way that your audience will remember.
Repeats the main ideas to fix them in the mind of your audience.
b. Calls to action:
You can use the conclusion to suggest an action to your audience to
motivate them to respond in a certain way to your message.
You can make inspirational appeals or challenges.
c. Provide closure:
Verbal and non-verbal signals that the speech is ending provide your
audience with closure.
2) The Form of the Conclusion:
The conclusion can take forms similar to those of the introduction.
You can refer to the introduction.
Section 2: Speaking Like a Star!
A speaker should connect with the audience, and this what makes a presentation
powerful.
The bigger the audience, the harder it is to establish a connection with them.
A speaker should cater the interests and expectations of the individuals in the audience.
Since he/she can't satisfy every person, he/she should address the common ground
between the individuals.
→ There are several steps to establish a connection:
1) Create a friendly environment:
● Exude positive energy from the very 1st moment.
● Appear positive, friendly, confident, & approachable because 1st impressions
matter.
2) Face your audience:
● Make sure you're always facing the audience
● Use visual aids only when needed and in a way that doesn't distract the audience.
The audience should focus on you not on visual aids or your slides.
3) Make eye contact:
● Try to make eye contact with every member in the audience. On the other hand,
focusing too much on a person makes him/her uncomfortable.
● Don't get distracted by your environment. Your listeners' eyes will follow yours.
● You may focus more on the important people than on the others, for they might
expect extra attention from you. Example on important people: the decision-
makers (boss, top client, etc.).
2
November to December 2020
Section 1: Beginning and Ending Your Speech
Introduction of a Speech:
● It's the first impression you make, so ● You could begin with a fact or a
make sure to grab your audience's humorous anecdote.
attention.
1) Purposes of the Introduction:
a. Grabs the audience's attention:
Use an illustration, startling fact or statistic, quotation, reference, historical
fact, a recent event, a personal reference, a reference to an occasion, or a
reference to a proceeding speech.
b. Gives the audience a reason to listen:
Tells the listeners how and why the topic affects them.
Proximity is the degree to which information affects your listeners directly.
c. Introduces the subject:
Presents the central idea to your audience.
The central idea helps ensure that your introduction introduces the subject
of your speech.
d. Previews your main idea:
Usually, the last sentence in the introduction includes the plan of
development of the speech.
This sentence either includes the central idea or follows the central idea
statement.
2) Effective Introductions May Include:
● Illustrations or anecdotes ● References to historical events, recent events,
● Startling facts or statistics the occasion, proceeding speeches
● Quotations ● Acknowledging speeches before your own
● Humor ● Questions
Conclusion of a Speech:
● Summarizes and provides a sense of ● Should provoke deeper thoughts or commitment
closure. to action.
1) Purposes of the Conclusion:
1
, a. Summarizes the speech:
Leaves the final impressions of you in your listeners' minds.
Rephrases the central idea in a way that your audience will remember.
Repeats the main ideas to fix them in the mind of your audience.
b. Calls to action:
You can use the conclusion to suggest an action to your audience to
motivate them to respond in a certain way to your message.
You can make inspirational appeals or challenges.
c. Provide closure:
Verbal and non-verbal signals that the speech is ending provide your
audience with closure.
2) The Form of the Conclusion:
The conclusion can take forms similar to those of the introduction.
You can refer to the introduction.
Section 2: Speaking Like a Star!
A speaker should connect with the audience, and this what makes a presentation
powerful.
The bigger the audience, the harder it is to establish a connection with them.
A speaker should cater the interests and expectations of the individuals in the audience.
Since he/she can't satisfy every person, he/she should address the common ground
between the individuals.
→ There are several steps to establish a connection:
1) Create a friendly environment:
● Exude positive energy from the very 1st moment.
● Appear positive, friendly, confident, & approachable because 1st impressions
matter.
2) Face your audience:
● Make sure you're always facing the audience
● Use visual aids only when needed and in a way that doesn't distract the audience.
The audience should focus on you not on visual aids or your slides.
3) Make eye contact:
● Try to make eye contact with every member in the audience. On the other hand,
focusing too much on a person makes him/her uncomfortable.
● Don't get distracted by your environment. Your listeners' eyes will follow yours.
● You may focus more on the important people than on the others, for they might
expect extra attention from you. Example on important people: the decision-
makers (boss, top client, etc.).
2
