Clarifying the Purpose

I can't stand doing something poinless when I don't see or can't understand the purpose, the main idea of my business. I think (or I hope) that many people share this opinion. Time is priceless and we should concsiously choose what is worth our time. So when prepare your speech, you should (or even must) think about the purpose of your speech and get a clear idea of what you want to say. And then, when you come to the stage, you must show that your speech is worth listening to it. Otherwise, noone will care.

So the first task of this week is to learn how to clarify the purpose of your speech. There are some questions to help us in this. Before writing a speach, a good orator should ask himself:

- Why should I want to talk about this?

- Why should anybody want to listen to me?

- What single message would I want to put across?

- What need in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

- When they all walk away what state would I like them to live in?

And now I need to answer all these quastions about three different topics to exercise this skill.

Speech 1

You are a primary school teacher. You should give a speech to your third graders on the following topic: "Why children should listen to their parent"

1. Why should I want to talk about this?

Education is carried out by three groups of participants: teachers, children and their parents. So parents should be involved in the process. Moreover, children need some guidness when they are too young and their parents can share some their experience with them.

2. Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?
My students should listen to my speech because I'll try to make it funny. I mean there will be some interesting stories for them. And also it will help them to avoid some problems in the future but the third graders are unlikely to understand this fact.
3. What single message would I want to put across?
This message is the parents are the only people who really cares about you.
4. What in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?
I want my students to understand the importance of the parents and their advice. I want them to get home and tell their parents what emotions they have about the speech.
5. When they all walk away what state would I like them to live in?
I'd like them to be in good mood but inspired to listen to thei parent and make use of the things the adults tell them.

Speech 2

You are working as a team leader in a summer language camp with high school students from the whole region. On the second day you are noticing that some guys and girls hesitate to meet new people or make friends within the team. You decide to take action and give a talk to your team stating “You will learn most from friends that are different from you.”

1. Why should I want to talk about this?

I had such problems myself so this problem is close to me. And I want to help the others to overcome it.

2. Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?

This children are likely to feel uncomfortable. And they are likely to want to get rid of this discomfort. 

3. What single message would I want to put across?

Communication with other people is not a torture but a challenge which give more good things than bad ones.

4. What in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

I want them to have the glowing eyes. 

5. When they all walk away what state would I like them to live in?

I want them to have a wish to talk to people around.

Speech 3

You are taking part at 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking “Toastmasters” and you are going to give a speech “Embarrassing moments make you stronger.”

1. Why should I want to talk about this?

While preparing the speech, I will learn new information on this topic. Also I'd like to inspire people not to be afraid of embarassing moments.

2. Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?

Such situations may be the reason of one's failure and lack of self confedence. People are likely to want to learn why these moments are important.

3. What single message would I want to put across?

Embarrassing moments are a part of our life and anyone can face them. Even talented and successful people, for example, Jennifer Lawrence when she fell down at the Oscars. But anyway, embarrassing situations teach you many things as laughing at oneself.

4. What in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

I want them to get an idea that looking stupid or embarrassed is OK and even good.

5. When they all walk away what state would I like them to live in?

Again, I want them to change their attitude towards the embarrassing moments. These moments don't make us fool, on the contrary, they make us smarter, more adaptable.