Public Speaking Handbook

sources of supporting Material 8.1 155

fish, stenciling, or stamp collecting. Or you might talk on a subject with which
you have had some personal experience, such as buying a used car, deciding
whether to join a club, or seeking assisted living for an elderly relative.
It is true that most well-researched speeches include some objective material
gathered from outside sources. But you may also be able to provide an effec-
tive illustration, explanation, definition, or other type of support from your own
knowledge and experience. As an audience-centered speaker, you should realize,
too, that personal knowledge often has the additional advantage of heightening
your credibility in the minds of your listeners. They will accord you more respect
as an authority when they realize that you have firsthand knowledge of a topic.

The Internet

When facing a research task, most people turn first to the Internet. Understand-
ing the World Wide Web, the Internet’s primary delivery system; the tools for
accessing it; and some of the amazing types of information available can help to
make your research more productive.

Generate

Main Ideas

Select and

Narrow

Topic

CONSIDER

THE

AUDIENCE

Develop

Central

Idea

Gather

Supporting

Material

Rehearse

Speech

Determine

Purpose

Organize

Speech

Deliver

Speech

Figure 8.1 Finding, identifying, and effectively using

supporting material are activities that comprise an essential

step of the speech-preparation process.

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