Giving Your First Speech
The purpose of this chapter is to help you
get ready for your ice breaker speech. Later chapters will look more closely at
all the aspects of speech preparation and delivery discussed here.
Once you know the exact assignment for
your ice breaker speech, you can start working out your ideas. Focus on a
limited number of main points and develop them creatively. Your speech will
have three parts—introduction, body, and conclusion. Use transition statements
to help the audience keep track of your points as the speech progresses.
Your teacher will probably ask you to
deliver the speech extemporaneously. This means that the speech is carefully
prepared in advance, but the exact language is chosen at the moment of
delivery. To be successful, you will need to rehearse the speech multiple times
to make sure you have full command of it.
When speech day comes, you will almost
surely have butterflies in your stomach. Remember that nervousness is normal.
Concentrate on communicating with your audience, rather than on worrying about
your nerves. Try to appear calm and relaxed on the outside, no matter how you
feel on the inside. Establish eye contact with the audience, use your voice
expressively, and make sure your gestures and mannerisms do not distract from
your message.
Review Questions
After reading this chapter, you should be
able to answer the following questions:
What two major steps are discussed in this
chapter for developing your introductory speech?
When organizing your introductory speech,
you should divide it into what three sections?
What method of delivery does this chapter
recommend for your introductory speech?
What steps should you take when rehearsing
your first speech?
What five elements of speech delivery are
discussed in this chapter with regard to presenting your first speech?
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