Section 5. IMPROMPTU SPEECH

A common first speaking assignment is the one-point speech,in which the speaker’s task is to establish only one main idea (the thesis). This type of speech requires a thesis that is clear and simple, and it is developed as follows:

Introduction

1. Wake up!

2. This concerns you.

3. Generally speaking

Body

4. For example

Conclusion

5. So what?

As indicated, the first three steps enact the introduction to the speech. "Wake up!" is the device to get the audience’s attention, such as an interesting story, a startling statistic, or an unexpected fact. "This concerns you" shows listeners how the topic relates to them; it gives them reason to pay attention and to take the speech seriously. "Generally speaking" states the thesis of the speech.

"Generally speaking" also forms a natural transition to the body of the speech, represented by the heading "For example." The body develops the thesis by presenting whatever supporting materials are needed to support the claims in the thesis – experiences, stories, facts, and opinions, arranged in whichever order is most effective.

Finally, "So what?" signals the twofold function of the conclusion: drawing together the important ideas of the speech and making a final lasting impression on the audience. Answering "So what?" points out what the sup-porting material leads to and gives listeners cues about what they should believe or do.

Being short and simple, the one-point speech is a good way to master the basic structure of a speech. For this first speech, you may have a day or more to prepare. But the five-step structure of the one-point speech is also useful whenever you have to speak impromptu – on the spur of the moment. When you raise your hand to speak at a meeting or in class, remembering the structure of the one-point speech will help you state your point briefly, clearly, and effectively.

Grammar Focus: Pronoun

Very often the common number error involves the use of words like each,everyoneandeverybody. Although some say that the mistake is so widespread that it is becoming acceptable, those words describe singular entities. For example, the following sentence is incorrect.

Everyone in the room were convinced that their presentation was the best.

Again there are two errors. In this case, “everyONE” is a singular noun requiring a singular verb and singular modifying adjectives. The verb should be the singular was (a less common mistake) and the modifier of presentation should also be singular. An issue arises here as to which singular to use – his, her, his/her, or his or her. Older traditional usage said that if there was at least one male in the group, then the his form should be used –

Everyone in the room was convinced that his presentation was the best.

This choice is now one of the least popular choices. Some people subscribe to the notion that women should be given equal and separate time and alternately use hisand her in alternating paragraphs and examples. Perhaps the most common solution is the use of the combination forms his/her and his or her as demonstrated in the following examples:

Everyone in the room was convinced that his/her presentation was the best.

Everyone in the room was convinced that his or her presentation was the best.

Whatever the choice, theiris not correct. Even though the implication is that there is a group of people involved, you are only talking about one of the group in these instances. Think about what the sentence actually says and not what it implies.

Practice Assignments

I.The following short example of a one-point speech has the thesis "Using a personal computer has changed how I study." The sections of the speech are indicated in brackets. Identify and comment on the pronouns used in the speech.

[WAKE UP!] When my parents went to college, they did their assignments with a mechanical typewriter and a slide rule. They aren’t old, but this technology seems as ancient now as the slate tablets of the 1800s. [THIS CONCERNS YOU] When I told them I needed a computer for college, they were surprised. Some of you may also have had trouble explaining this to your parents. [GENERALLY SPEAKING] But using a personal computer has changed how I study. [FOR EXAMPLE] I take it to the library, and it’s much easier to take notes about what I read. I can call up databases for my research class in political science. I actually revise papers after I’ve written them. I use electronic mail to ask the professor a question when there’s something I don’t understand. I download articles from the Internet. And I even write final exams on the computer whenever I can. [SO WHAT?] I can’t imagine being a college student in the precomputer age. We should all stop to realize how much our lives have changed.

II. A Strategy for Introducing Yourself to Others. [9]

You have three minutes to introduce yourself to your classmates and your instructor in your public speaking class. Three minutes is not enough time to describe everything there is to know about you, so choices must be made.

1. How should you decide what you want to share about yourself? Should you consider: the members of your audience? your classroom setting? your goals for the class? The course subject? how much or how little you want the audience to know about you? What else might you consider?

2. What is the most relevant information to relay to your instructor and fellow students? Should you describe: your primary likes and dislikes? where you are from? what your hobbies and personal interests are? why you are fearful of speaking in public? What other information about yourself might you include in your speech?

III.Let us assume you are given the same assignment but with a different audience and a different purpose. How would your decisions above be affected by the following conditions?

1. Your public speaking classmates are evaluating your speech for a grade.

2. Your speech of introduction assignment will not be graded.

3. Your audience is now the entire student body, and your purpose is to announce your candidacy for student president.

4. Your audience is the active members of a fraternity/sorority that you would like to join.