This maiden speech has a simple aim: to achieve an initial comfort level when speaking before a group. It is also a diagnostic tool to discover what latent talents the speaker may already possess. This speech should not require research. The speaker should talk about a subject near and dear to him, for example, his job, a passionate pastime, his professional philosophy or even a short autobiography. The bottom line is that he does well to speak on a topic that he talks and thinks about on a daily basis.
The next two speech objectives bear in mind an orator's tendency, especially when nervous, to get off track and go off on tangents. Speech number two encourages the member to impose structure on her talk: make an assertion, back it up with facts, and summarize. Speech number three sharpens this discipline by emphasizing clarity of argument, controlling anxiety and reducing dependency on notes. Topics that mesh well with these skill sets may include taking a position on a local ordinance, advocating a change in a company's marketing policy or critiquing an element of popular culture, such as a movie or hit song.
As the first two speeches concentrated on content, the subsequent pair focuses on style. The fourth speech moves the speaker to recognize that some words make more of a vocal splash than their synonyms. Moreover, the structure of the sentences can vary in rhetorical effectiveness. Speakers should experiment with clauses and phrases. Speech number five brings in the visual element. Posture, gestures and eye contact go a long way when making a point, as do facial expressions, locomotion and comfort behind the podium. When selecting subject matter, the speaker should consider an icebreaker-friendly topic: self, work, family or hobbies. Familiarity with the content allows the speechmaker to center his preparations on style cultivation.
The sixth speech gives the speaker a chance to work with changing tones and vocal inflections, soliciting more interest and attention from the audience. Equally important is the credibility of the facts presented. The seventh talk affords her a chance to fill out the supporting information by widening her research capacity. Drier topics are in order here, as they challenge the orator to make sometimes dull material come to life. Perhaps there is a zoning issue before the local planning board, a new company benefits program or a study on child autism that would be beneficial for the club to understand. Making a persuasive argument on such matters goes a long way toward achieving communication competency.
The days of the easel, poster boards and a pointer have given way to the omnipresent PowerPoint presentation. Yet the augmentation of visuals to the spoken word remains an effective component of any presentation. Speech number eight is all about incorporating these aids into the address, using them to underscore the main points. Effective topics with this aim in mind will embrace: travel destinations, utilizing a full complement of maps and photographs; scientific subjects like geology, accompanied well by three-dimensional computer graphics; and artistic talks requiring drawings and sculpted figures.
The final addresses required to receive Competent Communicator designation stress the importance of establishing authority on both intellectual and emotional levels. The ninth speech enhances the speaker's use of logical argument and empathy with the audience to gain credibility. The 10th oration calls upon the speechmaker to connect with his hearers on a visceral and emotional plane. These speeches can be considered calls to action, exhortations, or even pep talks. The topics will likely center on matters of justice, compassion or perseverance: how to succeed at care-giving while maintaining a life; forgiveness after a personal betrayal; and why an act of Congress is harmful and should be defeated.