Stage 2. Research
Steps:
1. Determine the general and specific purpose
General purpose can be brought into 3:
- to inform (to achieve clear understanding)
- to persuade (to influence listeners’ thoughts or actions)
- to entertain (to make feel fun)
The specific purpose will concrete the general one (e.g., to sell a product).
2. Analyze the audience and occasion
Try to look by the eyes of the audience, or stand at their place. Think, what they expect from your performance? What do they know? What are they interested in?
3. Select and narrow the subject
What you might talk about:
· Subjects
· People
· Events
· Places
· Problems
· Causes and effects
· Values
How you can narrow your topic:
· Choose just one single aspect of speech idea
· Try to find a creative angle of approach
4. Select sources for speech preparation and examine the material
After your research you should be able to answer the following questions:
· What is the purpose of this speech? How can I achieve this goal?
· Who is the audience? What are the needs and interests of the audience?
· What do I really know about this topic?
· What am I going to present within my time limit? Will I achieve my goal by this?
· What additional research should I make?
Recommended performances and roles:
· Speech
· Book presentation / Film presentation
· Communication interval master
· Hot topic master
Recommended home exercise:
· List questions you would ask if you were a listener, and answer them.