What is the Objective of Your Speech?
The objective or purpose of your speech could be many things. You may
have to give a speech in class on a theme that everyone is presenting
on. You may be running for President and want to persuade people to vote
for you. Perhaps you have been asked by the local Rotary club to give a
speech on your experiences overseas.
Anything is possible. But knowing your objective is a little different
from the topic of your speech. Is the objective to entertain people as
the after dinner speaker at a sports function? If so the topic may be
your choice. If you are presenting a speech as part of an assessment,
you may have no choice in the topic, but your objective here is to get a
passing grade. Here are some things to keep in mind when contemplating
the objective of your speech:
1. If your objective is to inform the audience you will need to give a
well-researched speech. If you are familiar with the subject it will be
easier to write. Know your key points and back them up with facts. In
this type of speech you are there to impart information and educate your
audience.
2. If your objective is to persuade the audience, such as a speech
before a vote takes place, then you will need to present to your
audience reasons why you are the best person for the position. Being
persuasive in a speech not only depends on your words, but also on your
personality and how you present yourself.
3. If your objective is to integrate the members of the audience then
you will need to be a persuader and also a facilitator. In this type of
speech it will not only be about the information you present, but how
you deliver it. Your ‘stage presence’ will need to be credible so as
your audience will do as you ask.
4. If your objective is to entertain your audience then more than likely
you will fill your speech with anecdotal stories and humor. You would
hope that any speech you give is entertaining, but for certain types of
speeches that is the main objective. If you are being paid as a speaker
at a function, entertainment is definitely the main objective.
So your objective is what you want to accomplish from the speech. Write
this down before you begin to prepare your speech. This will help get
you in the right frame of mind for writing your talk.