Clarifying your purpose UPDATED

In chapter 3.1. Clarifying Your Purpose in my course book, I am given the following questions to ask yourself before starting a speech:

- Why should I want to talk about this?

- Why should anybody want to listen to me?

- What single message would I want to put across?

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

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

Today I am going to imagine that I am asked to give a speech on some topics, consider the Wh-questions mentioned above to clarify the purpose of each speech and write down my answers to each question. 

Speech 1. 

I am a primary school teacher. I should give a speech to my third graders on the following topic: “Why children should listen to their parents.”

- Why should I want to talk about this?

Obedience is a way that enables a person to develop his or her abilities.

Our parents are the very first our teachers. And children should listen to their parents in order not to become thoughtless, unwise and miserable persons, but to develop their inherent talents.

- Why should anybody want to listen to me?

Because being in good relationships with parents and respecting their point of view will help people to live a better life, not to meet many problems or easily solve them with the support of their parents.

- What single message would I want to put across?

I want to put across the message that everybody should respect their parents’ point of view because they are  people who want the best for you and really care about you.

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

I want my third graders to understand that their parents will help them not to become thoughtless, unwise and miserable persons and that they should listen to their parents, appreciate and follow their advises.

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

I would like them to leave in good mood, full of respect for their parents.

Speech 2.

I am working as a team leader in a summer language camp with high school students from the whole region. On the second day I am noticing that some guys and girls hesitate to meet new people or make friends within the team. I decide to take action and give a talk to my team stating “You will learn most from friends that are different from you.”

- Why should I want to talk about this?

Because I want these guys and boys to understand that there is nothing to worry about getting acquainted with new people.

- Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?

Because these guys and girls do not feel comfortable in the team.

- What single message would I want to put across?

I want to put across the message that it may be interesting and very useful to communicate with other people. 

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

I want all these guys and girls to be open to new pleasant and useful acquaintances.

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

I want them to leave in good mood, full of desire to communicate and make friends.

Speech 3.

I am taking part at 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking “Toastmasters” and I am going to give a speech “Embarrassing moments make you stronger.”

- Why should I want to talk about this?

I want to inspire myself, as well as other people, not to be afraid of embarrassing moments.

- Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?

It is important to learn more about causes of occurrences of these moments and their importance. 

- What single message would I want to put across?

I want to put across the message that embarrassing moments are essential part of our life and they may make us stronger and more confident, give us some experience. 

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

I want them not to be afraid of looking embarrassed. 

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

I would like them to leave in mood, full of feeling that they must not to be afraid of looking embarrassed because it is absolutely normal and it makes us stronger.

I think that these questions are pretty basic but answering them helps not only state the purpose of your talk but also give you some ideas how to structure your speech and what points are crucial to mention.

I was asked to watch following performances and identify the possible objectives each speaker has set.

1. Ken Robinson “Bring on the learning revolution!” at TED2010 https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution

2. Zifang Su “Turn around”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKVTzuvjEpg

3. Matthew McConaughey – winner’s speech at the86th Oscars in 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2cVhC-63I 

Performance №1

Make the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning. Tell about the need of creating conditions where kid's natural talents can flourish. 

Performance №2

Tell about the importance of stopping being afraid and turning around to the world.

Performance №3

Thank the family and God. Share thoughts on what you need to chase providing personal examples.