Effective Public Speaking: Planning Your Speech - Setting Objectives
Setting clear objectives is the foundation of any successful speech. Without knowing what you want to achieve, you can't effectively plan how to achieve it. Think of it as your speech's destination – you need to know where you're going before you start the journey.
Why are Objectives Important?
- Focus: Objectives keep you on track, preventing rambling and ensuring relevance.
- Audience-Centricity: Good objectives are framed around what the audience will gain, not just what you want to say.
- Measurable Success: Objectives allow you to evaluate whether your speech was effective. Did you actually achieve what you set out to do?
- Content Selection: Objectives dictate what information you include and exclude. Everything should support your goal.
- Structure & Delivery: Objectives influence how you structure your speech and the delivery style you choose.
From Topic to Objective: A Shift in Thinking
Don't confuse your topic with your objective.
- Topic: "Climate Change" - This is what you're talking about.
- Objective: "To persuade the audience to reduce their individual carbon footprints by adopting three specific lifestyle changes." - This is what you want the audience to DO as a result of hearing you.
See the difference? The topic is broad; the objective is specific and action-oriented.
The SMART Framework for Objectives
Use the SMART framework to create effective, well-defined objectives:
- S - Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Avoid vague language. Instead of "Inform the audience about social media," try "Explain the impact of social media algorithms on news consumption."
- M - Measurable: How will you know if you've succeeded? Can you quantify the outcome? (e.g., "The audience will be able to identify three key benefits of mindfulness," not just "The audience will understand mindfulness.")
- A - Achievable: Be realistic. Don't aim to solve world hunger in a 5-minute speech. Focus on a manageable goal.
- R - Relevant: The objective should be relevant to both your topic and your audience. Consider their needs, interests, and existing knowledge.
- T - Time-Bound: While not always explicitly stated in the speech itself, consider the timeframe. What do you want the audience to do after the speech? (e.g., "within the next week," "by the end of the month").
Types of Speech Objectives
Generally, speech objectives fall into these categories:
- To Inform: To increase the audience's understanding of a topic. (e.g., "To explain the process of photosynthesis.")
- To Persuade: To change the audience's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. (e.g., "To convince the audience to support local farmers.")
- To Entertain: To provide enjoyment and amusement. (e.g., "To tell a humorous story that will lighten the mood.")
- To Inspire: To motivate the audience to take action or pursue a goal. (e.g., "To inspire the audience to volunteer in their community.")
- To Demonstrate: To show the audience how to do something. (e.g., "To demonstrate how to tie a specific knot.")
Crafting Your Objective Statement
A well-crafted objective statement often follows this format:
"After my speech, the audience will be able to… [specific action]… by… [method/understanding]…"
Examples:
- Inform: "After my speech, the audience will be able to describe the three main causes of the American Civil War by understanding the economic, social, and political factors involved."
- Persuade: "After my speech, the audience will be able to identify at least two reasons to switch to reusable water bottles by recognizing the environmental and financial benefits."
- Demonstrate: "After my speech, the audience will be able to perform a basic first aid technique for treating a minor burn by following the steps I demonstrate."
Final Thoughts
Spend time crafting your objectives before you start writing your speech. A clear objective will streamline the entire process, resulting in a more focused, impactful, and ultimately, effective presentation. Don't be afraid to refine your objective as you develop your speech – it's a guiding principle, not a rigid constraint.