Developing and Delivering a Speech

Importance of Supporting Material

• Supporting material is crucial to give main points credibility.
• Makes contentions believable and engaging for the audience.
• Checklist for supporting material: informative, clear, interesting, relevant, and acceptable.

Forms of Support

1. Explanation

   • Making concepts comprehensible.
   • Methods:
     • Definitions (use field-related manuals rather than general dictionaries).
     • Comparisons (highlight similarities between like items).
     • Contrasts (highlight differences between like items).
     • Brief history (provide origins of the topic for better understanding).
     • Operational definitions (context-specific meaning of a term).

2. Examples

   • Connect main ideas to real or ideal states.
   • Types:
     • Hypothetical illustrations (useful for theoretical concepts).
     • Factual illustrations (use real events for concrete evidence).
   • Preference given to factual examples when available.

3. Statistics

   • Describes results of data collection and interpretation.
   • Importance of interpretation:
     • Can be manipulated; ethical use requires transparency.
     • Must be clear, accurate, and free of bias.

4. Testimony

   • Statement from a credible source to lend weight to presentation.
   • Credibility is audience-dependent (what is credible varies per audience).
   • Select sources based on audience perception.

5. Visual Aids

   • Enhance clarity and credibility.
   • Categories:
     • Actual objects or models.
     • Pictorial reproductions (photographs).
     • Pictorial symbols (drawings, diagrams).
   • Selection depends on speech purpose:
     • Ensure aids are large enough, simple, focused, and well-prepared.

Key Takeaways

• Supporting material should make the presentation varied and exciting.
• Increases speaker credibility.
• Requires thoughtful selection and preparation to meet audience needs.