CLARIFYING YOUR PURPOSE

All speakers start somewhere. They know that the speech must be understandable and useful. At the same time we want to be impressive and creative not to be forgotten by listeners. What shall we do with all these aspects? How can we remember about all these important things? Well, it's not as hard as you think. We just need some plan.

For example, speaker's helpful plan can consist of a few questions:

1. Why should I want to talk about this?
2. Why should anybody want to listen to me?
3. What single message would I want to put across?
4. What need in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?
5. When they all walk away what state would I like them to leave in?

Let's answer these question and see how useful they are.

Speech 1.

You're a primary school teacher. You should give a speech to your third graders on the following topic: "Why children should listen to they parents.

Why should I want to talk about this?

Because kids don't understand the help of their parents frequently. They think that they can only punish them, but it's not true. Parents help them much more than teachers do. Well, all parents are teachers in some way. And if kids don't listen to their parents, they won't listen to their teachers as well.

Why should anybody want to listen to me?

My speech will be easy to understand. I'll use arguments which are common for kids. Also, the speech can consist of some jokes and pictures or videos.

What single message would I want to put across?

Parents are the closest people in the world. You can have a hundred friends, but you have only one mom and one dad.

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

I'd like to make my listeners thankful for things parents did to them.

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

I'd like them to understand that parents are the most importsnt people in their lives. They should think over this topic on the way home.

Speech 2.

You're 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."

Why should I want to talk about this?

To make relations between girls and boys better, to motivate them be more friendly to each other.

Why should anybody want to listen to me?

Because I'm sure that every person in my team wants to have new unforgettable impressions about camp rest. They should leave their comfort zones to find something new.

What single message would I want to put across?

You can find something you'll like a lot in your new friends. People are different and every person can teach you something new.

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

Yearing after adventure.

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

I want them to be eager to find new friends.

Speech 3.

You're taking part at 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking "Toastmasters" and you are going to give a speech "Embarrasing moments make you stronger."

Why should I want to talk about this?

Because it's hard to stop regretting your mistakes. 

Why should anybody want to listen to me?

Because everybody will think about personal embarrasing moment. The relevance of this topic is a helper for speaker.

What single message would I want to put across?

You become one point stronger when you cope with one problem. The more problems, the more experience :)

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

That it's better to take awkward moments of your life with humor. After 5 years it won't be worthy to worry about.

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

I want them to feel more comfortable and let their worries go away forever.