Speech Textbook | WisTech Open

Speech equips students with the essential skills to craft and deliver effective speeches across a variety of real-world contexts. Grounded in audience analysis and ethical communication, this resource guides learners through the fundamentals of speech preparation—from organizing ideas and integrating credible support to using inclusive language and mastering vocal and non-verbal delivery techniques. Through informative, persuasive, and occasion-based presentations, students gain confidence, develop critical listening and evaluation skills, and learn to adapt their message for diverse audiences with clarity and professionalism.

1. Analyze Audiences

Analyze audience for presentation
Identify audience demographics
Identify situational characteristics
Identify psychological characteristics
Use analysis to guide speech
Adapt content topic based on analysis

2. Apply Ethical Practices in Public Speaking

Orally cite credible sources; document sources using specified format
Use inclusive verbal delivery
Use inclusive non-verbal delivery
Use ethical speech strategies
Differentiate among fact, inference, and opinion

3. Incorporate Supporting Materials

Use relevant presentation aids
Apply information literacy strategies
Identify types of supporting materials
Use multiple types of supporting materials to support ideas
Synthesize materials to support the speech's purpose

4. Organize Speech

Use the audience analysis to prepare an outline
Develop a preparation outline
Identify speech purpose in the outline
Apply organizational patterns relevant to speech's purpose
Develop introduction
Develop body
Use transitions
Develop conclusion
Document sources, as required

5. Employ Speech Delivery Skills

Use presentation aids
Use non-verbal delivery techniques
Use vocal delivery techniques
Adhere to speech time-limits
Use audience-appropriate language
Use situation-appropriate language
Deliver speech from speaking outline
Use extemporaneous techniques

6. Evaluate Speeches

Apply critical listening skills
Employ pre-determined criteria to evaluate speeches
Formulate suggestions for improvement
Identify speaker's strengths

7. Present an Informative Speech

Present to an audience
Use informative content
Integrate audience analysis into speech
Adapt content delivery based on audience
Use a speaking outline
Cite sources orally
Adhere to specified timeframe

8. Present a Persuasive Speech

Integrate logical reasoning into arguments
Present to an audience
Use persuasive content
Integrate audience analysis into speech
Adapt content delivery based on audience
Use a speaking outline
Cite sources orally
Adhere to specified timeframe

9. Present an Occasion Speech

Present to an audience
Identify audience
Adapt content delivery based on audience
Use a speaking outline
Adhere to ethical speech standards
Adhere to specified timeframe
Adapt content of speech language to occasion

This video walks you through our online textbook hosted on the Pressbooks website and not this website. To access this book online, click below.

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License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Funded by State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College System funding for Open Educational Resources