Public Speaking Unit 2

Types of Special Occasion Speeches

1. Celebration/Commemoration 2. Nomination 3. Tribute 4. Toast 5. Goodwill 6. Introduction 7. Farewell 8. Entertain

More Rhetorical Devices

1. Connotation and Denotation 2. Hyperbole 3. Personification

Three Kinds of Propositions

1. Fact 2. Value 3. Policy

Types of Informative Speeches

1. Objects 2. Processes 3. Events 4. Concepts

Types of Speeches

1. Persuade 2. Inform 3. Inspire

Persuasive Speech, Cont.

A persuasive speech tries to move the audience toward the position or view held by the speaker. A persuasive speech seeks to change an opinion, attitude, or behavior of the audience members, and the success of a persuasive speech can be measured by checking opinion and attitudes before and after a speech. In a way similar to an informative speech, you should provide back- ground information about the topic. Some persuasive speakers address both sides of the issue being discussed, but usually the speaker will settle on one side of the issue and support that side in his or her speech. A persuasive speech has to offer a solution or recommendation for action, so the speaker must support one side of the issue as well.

Processes

A speech to inform about a process delineates how something is done and is sometimes called a demonstration speech.

Concepts

A speech to inform about concepts is more abstract and deals with ideas, philosophies, theories, ethics, and moral behaviors. Persuasive speech with a balanced delivery of information. Limited topic.

Objects

A speech to inform about objects can include people, places, things, animals, or products. Narrow the topic down.

Entertaining (Special Occasion) Speech

Aims to give the audience a fun, reminiscent, inspiring, encouraging, or often comical experience.

Nomination

Also takes place at a celebration, but this speech celebrates the person being nominated rather than an event. As a nomination speaker, make sure you have pertinent information about why this particular person should be nominated. Include awards, special recognitions, educational degrees, community work, or any other information that shows the qualifications of the person being nominated.

Entertaining (Special Occasion) Speech, Cont.

An entertaining speech (also known as a special occasion speech) can be persuasive or informative. The occasion determines the topic, and knowing why the particular occasion is special is key to the speech. Entertaining speeches can also include short speeches such as the introduction of a speaker or an acceptance speech. Some entertaining speeches have special needs that don't apply to other kinds of speeches. As a speaker you need to consider carefully who, what, where, when, why, and how you will be giving the speech. In each of the following kinds of entertaining speeches, there are different requirements—although they each celebrate an occasion.

Hyperbole

An exaggeration used for emphasis.

Informative Speech, Cont.

An informative speaker should organize his or her speech in a way that introduces the topic to the audience and then builds interest in that topic. Finally, an informative speech should help an audience member find practical ways to use the new information in daily life. In other words, informative speeches should not inform just for the sake of spreading information; that information should also be useful to the audience.

Introduction

Can use a format similar to the nomination and tribute speech, but praise is more moderated. An introduction speech is usually short and followed by another speech by the person being introduced, so being succinct is important. Make sure the audience knows the qualifications of the person being introduced, and provide background information that the speaker may not include about themselves in their speech.

Proposition of Fact

Challenges a generally accepted fact that can be argued. The argument might center on criteria used for defining the fact.

Persuasive Speech

Change some opinion, attitude, or behavior of an audience.

Personification

Giving human qualities to an inanimate object.

Ethical Persuasive Speaker

Has great responsibility to honestly inform the audience.

Farewell

Includes many of the celebratory aspects of other speeches, but usually involves a summation of events that have transpired over the history of the subject. A farewell celebrates the successes but may also include a summary of the difficulties that were encountered over the years.

Events

Informative speeches about events try to help the audience understand the event. Can be about past or future events.

Celebration/Commemoration

Meant to mark a beginning or highlight event. Make sure the event is clearly mentioned and properly described. Speakers who help an audience celebrate or commemorate an event should have upbeat and exciting information to share about the event.

Successful Persuasive Speakers

Persuasive speakers have most success in persuading audiences that don't hold extreme positions on the topic. When someone has an extremely positive or negative view of the topic, it means he or she has experienced several persuasive messages about the topic and has formed his or her own opinions in support or opposition. When a persuasive speaker tries to persuade an audience with strongly held opinions, that audience tends to become more polarized.

Persuasive Speech Topics

Persuasive speakers usually try to change audiences who have less strongly held positions. When giving a persuasive speech, select topics that are not too controversial.

Informative Speech

Provides new information to the listeners.

Goodwill

Seeks to unite or improve relations. As a goodwill speaker, pay special attention to the connection being built. Build this connection by stressing similarities between the group extending the goodwill and the group receiving it.

Toast

Short, special occasion speech similar to a tribute speech, but it should be much more concise. It should be a well- thought-out, written speech and may be memorized, since toasts are usually given at significant life celebrations. A toast can some- times have humorous elements but overall should be a speech honoring and respecting the person or persons being toasted.

Proposition of Value

Takes two different kinds of ideas and contrasts them. No correct answer.

Cognitive Dissonance

The ability to hold two different kinds of ideas in our minds at the same time, such as when a person is against murder but in favor of capital punishment. When a persuasive speaker challenges our preconceived ideas, we experience a shift in our minds. We may believe one thing, but the speaker may believe another. Good persuasive speakers can help solve our cognitive dissonance by helping us see the reasons for changing our minds. Persuasive speakers hope to cause this.

Proposition of Policy

Tries to determine if policies should be adopted. This is the type of resolution debated in city councils, state legislatures, and national governments.

Connotation and Denotation

Two devices that help speakers communicate ideas to audiences. Connotation is the implied meaning of a word. The denotation of a word is the meaning found in a dictionary, or the actual meaning of the word.

Tribute

Very similar to a nomination speech. The word tribute means giving acknowledgement or due praise. This should stress the same criteria as in the nomination speech, but special emphasis should be given to the reason for the tribute. This is usually a particular skill or area, and should receive more representation in the speech.

Entertain

can take many different forms and can be the most difficult of any speech in terms of doing it well. There are many different interpretations of what is entertaining, so be sure the type of entertainment fits the requirements of the audience. If you are unsure about the type of entertainment favored by the group to which you are speaking, survey a few of the members of the potential audience. You may even want to try the speech on a few audience members before the actual speech. What you find entertaining may not be entertaining to others. Jokes are fine, but humorous personal experiences will usually work better.