Separate the Speech into Its Major Parts

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Every speech will have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Develop each part separately, then bring them together using transition statements (see Chapter 12). The introduction serves to introduce the topic and the speaker, to alert the audience to your thesis, and to catch the audience’s attention and interest (see Chapter 15). Just like the body of a written essay, the speech body contains the speech’s main points and subpoints, all of which support the speech’s thesis. The conclusion restates the speech thesis and reiterates how the main points confirm it (see Chapter 15).

MAJOR SPEECH PARTS

INTRODUCTION
  • Pique the audience’s curiosity with a quotation, a short story, an example, or other kind of attention-getting device.
  • Introduce the speech topic and demonstrate its relevance to the audience.
  • Preview the thesis and main points.
  • Establish your credibility as a speaker to address the topic.
(Use a transition to signal the start of the speech body.)
BODY
  • Develop the main points using an organizational pattern that suits the topic, audience, and occasion.
(Use a transition to signal the conclusion.)
CONCLUSION
  • Restate the thesis and reiterate how the main points confirm it.
  • Leave the audience with something to think about, or challenge them to act.
(Be prepared to answer questions.)