SCOM 1000: CH.10 Organizing and Finding Support

Introducing a sensitive topic

(1) Acknowledge that your topic is sensitive and recognize why. (2) Preview what you plan to say about your sensitive topic. (3) Try to avoid euphemisms for your sensitive topic. (Mild or indirect terms that are substituted for terms we find too harsh or blunt. They can trivialize the topic, making it seem less important than it is.)

To develop a strong thesis statement, follow these guidelines:

(1) Be concrete. (2) Make a statement. Frame as a statement rather than a question. (3) Treat your thesis statement as a work in progress. (4) Tell the truth.

To develop a strong purpose statement, follow these guidelines:

(1) Be specific. (2) Be declarative. Write your purpose statement as a directive, such as "Explain the process of creating a Twitter account." vs. "How does someone create a Twitter account." Simply posing a question doesn't indicate as clearly what you plan to accomplish in your speech. (3) Be concise. Focus your purpose statement on one specific goal for your speech.

Determine the type of support you require.

(1) Definitions - where concepts may be unfamiliar. (2) Examples (3) Statistics (4) Quotations (5) Narratives

example purpose statements

(1) Demonstrate the process of making ravioli. (2) Teach listeners the differences among five Italian red wines. (3) Pursuade listeners that Italian cuisine is superior to French cuisine. (4) Persuade listeners to consume more Italian olive oil. (5) Make my listeners laugh by making fun of U.S. politics. (6) Introduce Rev. Adams by telling the story of how he and I first met. (7) Bring recognition to my mother's career by describing her proudest accomplishment.

Find Support for Your Speech

(1) Identify places in your speech outline where you need support. (2) Determine the type of support you require. (3) Evaluate the quality of supporting material. (4) Avoid plagiarism.

Organize Your Speech

(1) Introduction - that previews information to be presented (2) Body - composed of specific points (3) Transitions that connect the main points (4) Conclusion - that summarizes the main points

thesis statement examples

(1) Suppose purpose statement is "Teach about the effectiveness of herbal supplements." Thesis could be: Although sales of herbal supplements are growing, medical research shows they are no more effective than placebos. (2) Suppose purpose statement is "Persuade my listeners to invest in gold." Thesis could be: Because gold prices rise even in a weak economy, investing in gold is a sound financial decision.

Rules of Outlining

(1) rule of subordination, (2) rule of division, (3) rule of parallel wording

Main Points Can Be Organized in Various Patterns

(1) topic pattern (2) time pattern (3) space pattern (4) cause-and-effect pattern (5) problem-solving pattern

forms of intellectual theft

- Global theft: means stealing your entire speech from another source - Patchwork theft: occurs when you copy words from multiple sources and put them together to compose your speech - Incremental theft: means failing to give credit for small portions of your speech--such as a phrase or paragraph--that you did not write. When quoting others' work, use a verbal footnote.

helpful website to avoiding intellectual theft

-plagiarism.org -owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/1 -paragondigital.com/blog/how-to-avoid-copyright-infringement/

purpose statement

A declaration of the specific goal for the speech. Expresses precisely what you want to accomplish during your presentation

The Body Expresses Your Main Points

A main point is a statement expressing a specific idea or theme related to the speech topic. Most speeches will have between two and five main points. - related, distinct, and equally important.

Identify places in your speech outline where you need support.

Anywhere you a making a factual claim.

The Introduction previews your main points

Example: Today I'd like to talk about the importance of funding music education in our public schools. First, I'll explain how learning about music helps children both intellectually and socially. Then I'll discuss the challenges to music education funding that our public schools have faced in recent years. Finally, I'll offer some ideas for ensuring that music education is supported for generations to come.

The Introduction tells the story of your speech.

It captures your listeners' interest in your topic, and it previews the points you plan to make.

Some Transitions Are Nonverbal

Nonverbal transition behaviors are generally effective only to the extent that they seem natural rather than staged. (1) body movement (2) vocal inflection (3) pauses (4) gestures

State Your Purpose and Thesis

Once you've selected your topic, you must consider what you want to say about it. (1) Draft a purpose statement. (2) Draft a thesis statement.

Convert Your Working Outline Into Speaking Notes

Resource: "The Competent Communicator"

specific purpose

The main goal for a speech or oral presentation.

thesis

The main message of a speech or oral presentation.

Introduction techniques

Use a story or statistic or any of these techniques. (1) Present a quotation. (2) Tell a joke. (3) Pose a question. (4) Cite and opinion. (5) Startle your listeners. (6) Note the occasion. (7) Identify something familiar. (8) Incorporate technology.

The Conclusion Summarizes Your Speech

Your conclusion should: reinforce your central message and create a memorable moment for your listeners.

bibliography

a list of all the sources used in preparing a speech

thesis statement

a one-sentence version of the message in a speech

space pattern

a pattern of organizing the main points of a speech according to areas

time pattern

a pattern of organizing the main points of a speech in chronological order

topic pattern

a pattern of organizing the main points of a speech to represent different categories

cause-effect pattern

a pattern that organizes a speech by showing how an action produces a particular outcome

rule of parallel structure

a rule of speech organization specifying that all points and subpoints in an outline should have the same grammatical structure

rule of division

a rule of speech organization specifying that if a point is divided into subpoints, it must have at least two subpoints

rule of subordination

a rule of speech organization specifying that some concepts in the speech are more important than others. compile a list of points

preview transition

a statement alerting listeners that a speaker is about to shift to a new topic

verbal footnote

a statement giving credit for the words to their original source

summary transition

a statement that briefly reminds listeners of points you have already made

transition

a statement that logically connects one point in a speech to the next

working outline

a structured set of all the points and subpoints in a speech

problem-solving pattern

a way of organizing a speech in which the speaker establishes the existence of a problem and then proposes a solution to it

speaking notes (speaking outline)

an abbreviated version of a formal speech outline

Know how to evaluate supporting material.

credibility, objectivity, and currency

Don't commit intellectual theft.

plagiarism and/or copyright infringement

signposts

single words and phrases that distinguish one point in a presentation from another and help listeners follow the speaker's path