University of Minnesota Libraries - Assignment Calculator

Speech/Oral Presentation

Understand your assignment

Read your assignment and aks your instructor if you have questions on what is required.

Who is your audience? What is your purpose? Let this guide your topic, tone and style.
How long is the speech? Are you using presentation software such as PowerPoint or do you need visuals or props? How many sources are required?

Note: A speech generally needs to be written further in advance so that adequate practice and revision can occur. Preparing for your speech will help with the very common fear of public speaking.

Select and focus your topic. Begin preliminary research

Brainstorm topics until you find one that truly interests you.
Do some preliminary searching on the Internet or in the Libraries to find material that can serve as background and evidence for your ideas.

Not sure where to start? Try the Articles and Databases tab
Find books in MNCAT
Have questions? Ask Us! Chat, email, phone or in-person help from librarians

Begin to organize or outline your speech

Group your remarks and evidence to create an informal outline. It may be useful to include:

An introduction (including purpose and overview)
Content or body
Conclusion

Begin crafting a strong title, opening and key sentences.
Additional guides:

Draft any visuals. Gather additional research.

Select the types of evidence to support your ideas including quotes, statistics, facts, anecdotes, etc.

Gather your evidence from credible sources and include the source in your speech--this will make your speech more authoritative.
Have questions? Ask Us! Chat, email, phone or in-person help from librarians.

Draft PowerPoint or visual materials. Gather images, videos or other media if needed. Learn more about effective visuals.
Draft any handouts or bibliography, if needed.

Write out your talking points

Start with your most imporatant points.

What is the "take home message" you want your audience to understand, believe, accept or do after they hear your speech? Write this out in one or two sentences.What evidence supports your "take home message?"

Draft transitions between your thoughts. Include attention-getting ideas:

Novelty: an unusual fact or surprising image
Conflict: an opposing viewpoints on the issue
Humor: an amusing play on words or exaggerated remark
Suspense: such as asking a provocative question

Determine how you are going to organize your thoughts as you speak.

Index cards (be sure to number cards)
An outline
Presentation slides

Make an appointment with the Center for Writing to go over your outline for structure, clarity, tone, etc.

Plan out the timing of your speech

Add timing to your talking points.
Revise your talking points, PowerPoint slides and transitions.
Delete talking points and/or PowerPoint slides that are not crucial. Paring down or eliminating content will enhance clarity and improve the speech overall.

Rehearse your speech for content and timing

Be aware of your body position, foot placement, breath and eye movement.
Videotape or record a rehearsal to identify problems, distracting habits, etc. (Check out equipment at the SMART Learning Commons)

Avoid reading every word--you should be presenting not reading.
Avoid common verbal habits such as "um", "like", "you know", "kinda", etc.

Practice your speech many times until you feel comfortable with the content and timing.
Review the scoring or evaluation guide to be sure you are meeting the requirements of the assignment.

Rehearse your speech in front of an audience

Gather a few friends or classmates and deliver your speech.

Try to avoid the following common behaviors: fidgeting, looking at the computer or screen not at audience, rustling your papers, chewing gum, gesturing too much, or pacing.
Ask for feedback on your delivery (such as eye contact, hand gestures, speech habits, etc.) and content
Ask what they identified as the most important points. Do these match yours?

Edit or revise speech based on the feedback.

Continue revising. Prepare any anticipated questions

If your speech includes a question and answer session with your audience, spend some time to anticipate questions and briefly plan answers.
Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question when you are presenting.

Continue to rehearse. Get ready to give speech

Make sure you have all your materials together including note cards, outlines, visuals, handouts, bibliography, PowerPoint on Flash drive, etc.
Be aware you may have feelings of anxiety. This is very common and a few strategies may help including:

Arrive early
Practice on the day of your speech so you are comfortable with the content.