preparation outline

Introduction to the Course --- Public Speaking

Outline

General purpose: To inform

Specific purpose: To inform the students about the purposes to open this

course, about the way this course will be conducted, about

the requirements they should meet and about the grading.

Central idea: This talk will cover five purposes of the course --- public

speaking; the way the course will be conducted and the

teaching schedule; 14 requirements to ensure an effective

result; and the composition of the final score.

Introduction

I. “Good ladies, morning and gentlemen.”

A. Did you realize I made a mistake in my greeting?

B. You may wonder why I would make such a mistake.

C. Stage fright may make speakers commit silly blunders.

II As a veteran teacher of English I find Chinese students are reluctant to

make a public speech.

A. Chinese students are more likely to have stage fright because they are

not or less well-trained.

B. Public speech is a compulsory course in most of the American

universities..

III. For the next 30 minutes or so I’d like to talk about the purposes of this

course, the way the course will be conducted and the requirements you

should meet and grading scheme.

(Transition: Let’s start with purposes of this course.)

Body

I. There are five main purposes to open this course.

A. The first purpose is to help you learn the basic skills in preparing and

delivering a speech effectively.

1. How to choose a topic

2. How to write an outline of a speech

3. How to organize a speech

4. How to make your vocal language more effective

5. How to use verbal language accurately, clearly, vividly, appropriately

6. How to use non-verbal language effectively

7. How to use visual aids in an effective way

8. How to practice and rehearse a speech

9. How to prepare answers to possible questions from the audience

B. The second purpose is to help you find and then overcome your

problems in making public speeches.

1. This course is basically practice-oriented, which means you will

make a lot of presentations in class.

2. As audience, you will certainly find the problems of those who are

delivering a speech.

3. By analyzing the speeches of others, you will consciously avoid similar mistakes in your own performance.

C. The third purpose is to help you overcome stage fright.

1. Stage fright ranks very high among all the fears.

2. Everyone has stage fear.

3. There are at least five ways to overcome stage fright.

---Acquire speaking experience.

--- Make full preparation.

---Think positively.

---Use the power of visualization.

---Don’t expect perfection.

D. The fourth purpose is to prepare you for your future academic and

professional life.

1. Classroom presentation is currently what college students are most

likely to face.

2. Seminars, symposiums are occasions for your future academic

studies where you are very likely to be asked to make a

presentation.

3. Thesis oral defenses are what college students have to go through.

4. Business/work reports are what one needs to write and present if

you go professional.

5. Political or even election speeches are not unlikely for some of you

to make in the future.

6. Ceremonial speeches are usually made impromptu.

E. The fifth purpose is to help you build confidence and advance your

personal image.

1. Through practicing and training, you may improve your way of

communicating your ideas orally to a group of people, which will

naturally help boost their confidence.

2. The ability to beautifully deliver a speech in public will undoubtedly

upgrade your self-image and will make you more popular anywhere

you go.

(Transition: Ok, those are the five main purposes to open this course. Some of

you may wonder why I didn’t include “ to help students practice

their spoken English”. Well, spoken English is another course, as it

is quite different from public speech. As a matter of fact, a relatively

better command of oral English is required of those who want to

take this course. Now let’s move on to how this course will be

conducted.)

II. This course will integrate theory into practice with focus on practice.

A. The first four classes will be devoted to theory.

1. The theory will be based on the lecture notes in our public mail box.

2. The theory will be illustrated with examples, either verbal or visual.

3. Volunteers will be assigned an extra speech, on which teachers will

make comments in order to further explain the theory.

B. The remaining 12-13 classes will be used for classroom practice.