Using Supporting Material-Chapter 9

Using Supporting Material : 

Using Supporting Material Chapter 9 Possible References for the APA Reference Page

Learning Objectives : 

Students will be able to explain the importance of supporting material to a speech. Students will be able to explain the six main types of supporting material. Students will be able to explain at least one guideline for using each of the six types of supporting material. Students will be able to list and explain six criteria for determining which supporting material to use in a speech. Students will be able to distinguish between expert and lay testimony. Students will be able to analyze statistics to insure they are ethical and appropriate. Learning Objectives

YOU NEED SUPPORTING MATERIAL : 

Without appropriate, compelling, and effective supporting material, speeches will not be effective. YOU NEED SUPPORTING MATERIAL

The 6 Categories ofSupporting Material : 

The 6 Categories ofSupporting Material Illustrations Descriptions and Explanations Definitions Analogies Statistics Opinions

Illustrations : 

Illustrations are, at heart, stories, and everybody loves stories! Illustrations may be brief, no more than a sentence or two. Illustrations may also be extended, resembling a story. Hypothetical illustrations may be brief or extended (stories about events that might happen). Illustrations

Illustrations : 

Develop 5 skills of using illustrations effectively. Be certain your illustrations are directly relevant to the idea or point to be supported. The illustrations you choose should represent a trend. Make your illustrations vivid and specific. Use illustrations with which your listeners can identify. Remember that the best illustrations are personal ones. Illustrations

Descriptions and Explanations : 

To describe is to produce word pictures--detailed sensory information that allows an audience mentally to see, hear, smell, touch, or taste the object of your description. Explanations clarify how something is done or why it exists in its past or present form. Use descriptions and explanations effectively. Keep your descriptions and explanations brief. Use language that is as specific and concrete as possible. Avoid too much description and explanation. Descriptions and Explanations

Definitions : 

Definitions provide audiences with answers to questions about which, where, how much, how many, and what kind. Define when necessary by classification, placing a term in the general class, group, or family to which it belongs, or give operational definitions, explaining how a word or phrase “works.” Use definitions more effectively in your speeches. a. Use definitions only when needed. Be certain your definition is understandable. Be certain your definition and use of the term throughout a speech are consistent. Definitions

Analogies : 

Analogies assist audience understanding of the unfamiliar (ideas; things; situations). Analogies may be literal, expressing comparisons between similar things. Analogies may be figurative, expressing dissimilar but audience-striking comparisons. Use analogies effectively. Be certain the two things you compare in a literal analogy are very similar. The essential similarity between the two objects of a figurative analogy should be readily apparent. Analogies

Statistics : 

A statistic representing hundreds or thousands of individuals is more persuasive. Statistics can help a speaker express the magnitude of a problem. Five principles of using statistics in speeches are important to speech planners. Use reliable sources, citing reputable, authoritative, and unbiased sources. Interpret statistics accurately. Make understandable and memorable statistics Round off numbers whenever you can do so without distorting or falsifying the statistic. Use visual aids to present your statistics. Statistics

Opinions : 

1. Expert testimony, the testimony of a recognized authority can add weight to your arguments. 2. Lay testimony, although not as authoritative as expert testimony, can stir an audience’s emotions. Make a point truly memorable with a literary quotation. Use opinions effectively. Be certain that your “Expert” is an expert. Identify your sources and Cite unbiased sources. Cite opinions that are representative of prevailing opinion. Quote your sources accurately. Use literary quotations sparingly. Opinions

Selecting the BEST Supporting Material : 

“Bigger is Better”--go for the gold; the larger the numbers the more convincing your statistic. Proximity--the best supporting material is that which is the most relevant to your listeners (“closest to home;” “hits home”). Concreteness--discuss principles with concrete examples and specific statistics, not boring abstractions. Variety--a mix of supporting material is highly desirable (“variety is the spice of life”). Humor--audiences normally appreciate a touch of humor (“You Can’t Get Enough of that Wonderful Stuff”). Suitability--supporting material should be considered suitable (acceptable, desirable) to you, your speech, the occasion and, of course, the audience. Selecting the BEST Supporting Material