Public speaking: How to do research for your speech
A good speech is not just well delivered, it is well researched too. In order to be effective and generate positive response from the audience, it must be relevant, to the context, creative and backed by genuine data and statistics. In fact, good research is the essential first step in writing and then delivering a highly impactful speech. Needless to say, this calls for a considerable amount of labour from the orator’s end. How to conduct research for a speech is an important component of the sessions on public speaking for kids. After all, without sufficient material, kids will not be able to write and/or deliver their speeches. At the same time, teachers imparting training on public speaking for children must also tell the kids where to look for relevant information for their speech pieces. Here are a few tips on how to do research for a speech.
The Internet is the ultimate source of information on all possible topics under the sun. However, while looking for reference material or information for a speech, it is a good idea to look at the primary source of information rather than open encyclopaedias that anyone can edit. In other words, while doing research for a speech, it is recommended to use websites and other online sources wisely. For instance, for a speech that concerns nutrition and diet, it is always better to look for a nutrition or health website for genuine and relevant information rather than asking peers in an online chat room. Or, for writing a speech on changing fashion trends, log on to designer websites to follow the most current styles instead of seeking popular opinion on social media sites. The quality of the source does matter a lot when it comes to proper research while preparing a speech.
The search for sources of information to research for a speech does not end with and is not limited to the Internet. There is a wealth of information in the real world and if utilised judiciously, it can help to collate the most relevant matter for effective speeches. From books, newspapers and magazines to locations such as town halls, business centres and malls – there are numerous sources that can be explored to look for research material for preparing a speech. With a little time in hand, one can also interview subject matter experts either directly or through phone or via email and quote them ad verbatim in one’s speech. Going beyond the most obvious sources of research material for a speech not only increases a speaker’s credibility but also adds more meat to the speech itself.
While citing the sources, it is important to be absolutely exact or else the audiences might find them dismissive. Also, it is important to bear in mind that the research done for a speech is accurate and included in the speech only if illustrates a reference to the context. Citing quotations or jaw-dropping statistics without any relevance is a bad idea and one should abstain from using such references during one’s research altogether.
Remember, sessions on public speaking for kids can only be made more interesting, interactive and proactive when little children are engaged in activities such as research for their speech. More importantly, proper research also educates the children on the topics of their speech and prepares them to respond to audience queries in a confident manner.
