What's Your Style?

What's Your Style

          Since my last blog was on a certain type of speech that was written about me, I decided to write this blog on the different types of speeches. I did not know there were different techniques for each type of speech. I thought that if you wanted to talk that you could. Much To my surprise there are various methods. The different types are: Informative Persuasive, Ceremonial, and Contemporaneous, to name just a few. according to Lennon (1999) Some of the speeches do not fall exactly into one of the categories but into several different categories. I will briefly describe each type so you can see the difference.

          An Informative speech is designed to tell the audience more information about a topic. The presenter will use visual aids to show points of their speech. This type of speech has a certain “format of an opening, a purpose, supportive points and a conclusion” Lennon (1999) says. For an example of this type of speech I chose a video of a male student, named  Rayan Al-Hothali, giving an informative speech on laughter to his class. The only issue that I have with this presentation is that he did not use not cards or visual aids. He therefore said um a lot and nervously paced the front of the classroom at George Mason University.  I think that if he had some sort of visual aid, this would have been a great presentation. The next type is a persuasive speech

          The persuasive speech type is how I plan on giving my speeches. I know that not everyone will agree with me, about wearing your seatbelt, so I will show the rehabilitation photos of before and after. I will show them to drive home the point that if you believe in yourself anything is possible, since my accident story sounds far too good to be true. Also, a persuasive type of speech is the most popular type given. Lennon, (1999) one of the first steps in writing this type of speech is to write a good opening paragraph. Grace Flemming (n.d) says this will let the audience decide in the first few minutes of your speech, whether it is going to be boring or exciting. You want to have a good hook in order to tell the audience why they should care about what you are saying, says Grace Flemming (n.d).Then, you should have a Thematic Statement stating your topic and your own personal stance on this issue. Now it is time to show your credibility with a personal website, or a published book. Lastly you want to go back over your three main points. On you tube. After searching several videos of a persuasive speech I found an example by a guy by the name George Scholey, who also goes by the name Jorge El Grande, to hold my attention. You Tube(May 2,2007)

      Next is the type called Ceremonial. Which come in various forms such as a toast, acceptance speech, keynote address, and a commencement speech. aca,(n.d.) This certain type is very successful when given to a specific audience at a certain occasion.  They revolve around the guest of honor and the audience according to aca (n.d) The speech should never have anything to do with the person giving the speech. This type of speech should be rehearsed since visual aids and note cards are not really supposted to be used.

          The last type is Extemporaneous speeches. They have little or no structure and are often given off the cuff. This type is to be rehearsed and prepared for but without using any cues such as notecards. A speech I found that sort of represents this in my mind would be a wedding toast by Georgia Watson(April 28,2010) because in this speech she clearly had done some planning about giving this speech, much like I plan ahead if I know I have to give a speech. The only structure is just your basic speech structures which are: just to present information effectively and concisely. Lennon (n.d.) If you are someone who gets very nervous in front of people or you do not think fast on your feet this is probably not a good idea for you. I was in a couple of weddings and I had to give speeches, but I knew this ahead of time so I practiced what I would say. I kept it simple, something I could remember without needing flash cards or a visual aid since I do not think fast enough to do this type of speech due to my injury. I plan ahead so if I am asked to speak, I already have what I’m going to say mapped out in my head a little.  I know that is weird but since speaking is what I desire to do with my life, I have to always be ready. The types of speeches are not cut into stone. A speech may be in between types, you just need to figure out where the speech you plan to give falls, and be certain to follow the procedures of both types.

          These are just a few of the different type of speeches that someone can give. Now do you see what I meant when I said that not every speech fits into one category or another? They are a cross breed of the two speeches, which sometimes has to happen to get your point across. Stop trying to follow one type of speech if it is a combination of speeches that is ok, as long as it is not similar to combining apples to oranges. If you are giving a Eulogy do not try to make your speech an informative speech, but if you want to combine an informative and persuasive speech that is ok.

References

Aca (n.d.) Public Speaking The ACA Open Knowledge Online Guide. Ceremonial Speeches.

          Retrieved from http://textcommons.org/node/92

Lenon, Valerie. (n.d.) Types of Speeches for Public Speaking.

          Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/info_8440052_types-speeches-public

          speaking.html

You Tube. May 2,2007. Persuasive Speech on Being a Hero. Retrieved from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYtm8uEo5vU

You Tube. April 28,2010. One of the best Maid of Honor Speeches I have ever heard.

          Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX9Y6OhkH1s

You Tube. November 13, 2011. Informative Speech Laughter is the Best Medicine by: Rayan Al-Hothali                             

          Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgsnFgnV6yY

Grace Flemming (n.d). Writing a Hook for your Essay. Retrieved from

          http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/hook.htm

Essortments (n.d.) How To Give Extemporaneous Speeches. Retrieved from                

          http://www.essortment.com/give-extemporaneous-speeches-34205.html