Speech Components Checklist
Overview
This is a living document of a speech components checklist for a fundamentals of public speaking course. The list can act as a starting point to finalizing your speech ahead of submission.
Pay careful attention to each component assuring that you have the component and enough content to satify the category on the rubric.
Introduction:
- Open with an impact – quote, story, engaging facts that grab the audience’s attention (if needed cite the source).
- Clear thesis statement (central idea).
- When appropriate, clearly introduce or reveal the topic.
- Clear and concise preview of 3-4 main points.
- Transition into the body of speech.
Body of the speech:
- 3-4 balanced main points.
- Transitions or other connectives between main points.
- High quality source citations – (label on outline when to state each citation to assure you do not forget to cite them orally).
- Remember reliable sources are best! Use the Academic Database to locate high quality, reliable sources.
- Supporting material content that will assure you adequately meet the time required for the speech.
- See assignment page to check the speech time for each speech assignment.
Conclusion:
- Close with a clear note of finality.
- Restate and summarize the 3-4 main points.
- Reinforce the central idea.
- Close with any final additions or attention-grabbing content (if needed cite the source).
- Remember a successful way to close can be to revisit a piece of information presented in the introduction.
Consider the following:
This is a beginners list to the fundamental key speech components that should be included in a speech presented at the community college level.
Also, see the grading rubric in Canvas for a detailed explanation of the point distribution that will be used for evaluation of the speech.
**This list is not comprehensive of what needs to be in a speech, but it can serve as a general guide to help assure you maximize each category on the rubric.**