The first consideration in writing a speech is the foundation. This begins with selecting a topic that is of interest. Euthanasia is either right or wrong, and this will limit the options when trying to persuade and audience. During the construction of the foundation it is important to analyze the audience. Different things to consider are age, race, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and social backgrounds. It is also pertinent to consider where the audience is in regards to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and to build on where the audience lies. The final part of the foundation is to have a purpose which defines the shape of the speech. For this speech, the purpose is to make a claim of value and persuade that euthanasia is wrong. The next phase of building the speech consists of composing a thesis statement, developing main points, and gathering supporting material from credible sources.
The last phase of developing the speech consists of separating the speech into major parts, outlining the speech, and developing presentation aids if needed. The major parts consist of an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should contain an attention getter, significance and credibility statement, a thesis statement, and a preview of the main points. The body of the speech should be between 2 to 4 main points and three is ideal. The conclusion should review the main points, restate the thesis in a new and fresh way, give an application or significance point, and finish with a graceful and memorable exit.
When preparing a speech, it is important to consider how to appeal to the audience’s character. This is done by the use of Ethos. It is important to make a good impression even before speaking because this will set the tone as to whether the audience will view the speaker as knowledgeable and competent, or arrogant and condescending. First