Basic Speech Structure
In some ways, listening
to a speech is like swimming in deep, choppy water. Ideas are coming fast, and you must struggle to pay attention
and keep on top of them. Suddenly,
a wave you didn’t expect comes from nowhere and rolls over you.
You try desperately to break to the surface, but finally, you give up
and just allow the waves to keep going over you . . . .
Not a
very pleasant scenario, right? Especially
if you are the speaker. After
all, the purpose of giving a speech is to communicate with someone else –
not to overwhelm and lose him or her. If
a speech is like deep, choppy water, you as the speaker are the lifeguard –
and you should come equipped with a life ring to “save” your listeners. That life ring is clear structure for your speech.
The
beginning of a clear structure is focus from the speaker.
Have one controlling idea for the speech. This is especially true for short speeches (like the ones we
will be giving in this class). Your
controlling idea is expressed in the speech in the thematic statement.
The
basic structure for a speech is simple – introduction, body, and conclusion.
Click on the heading for
each section for more detail about the section.
The
introduction should serve to gain the audience’s attention and to orient
audience members to the speech. As
a result, three important elements should be included in the introduction:
an attention-getter or “hook”; the thematic statement; and a
preview of main points.
The
body should present and develop the main ideas of the speech that were
introduced in the opening. The
number of main ideas should be appropriate for the length of the speech; for
this class, limit yourself to 2-4 main ideas for each speech.
The
conclusion should serve as a reminder of the most important ideas in the
speech. It is your last chance to
try to get your message to the audience.
It should also leave the audience with a feeling that the speech is
complete.