Tips for Using Supporting Material in Your Speech: Examples, Statistics, Testimony, Facts, and Anecdotes

Different types of supporting material and how to incorporate them into a speech

– Facts: most listeners require facts to accepts speaker’s claims, Facts usually concern events, times, people, places. Use facts as supporting materials- Statistics: used to describe quantities, demonstrate trends, or infer relationships. Can appeal to the thinking dimension of the learning cycle- Definition: can appeal to the thinking dimension and serve three primary purposes. 1) clarify the meaning of terminology that is unfamiliar, 2) clarify terminology that has more than one meaning, 3) to reflect your stance on a subject – Description: vivid, appeal most, can make a dull speech come to life- Explanation: how and why, appealing to the thinking and doing, clarify details that are relevant to the topic and unfamiliar to listeners- Examples: the feeling dimension of dimension of the learning cycle, brief or extended example, factual or hypothetical example. Clarify what you are talking about, help listeners grasp the magnitude of a situation, or encourage them to identify with someone else.- Narratives: feeling dimension, can appeal to the visual dimension or the doing dimension, personal or third-person narrative- Testimony: Expert or peer, quote and cite experts can also boost ethos, use quote or paraphrase form someone who has had first-hand experience

Supporting material is used in speaking contexts to reinforce and clarify the speaker’s message. Different types of supporting material include examples, statistics, testimony, facts, and anecdotes. Here are some tips on how to incorporate them into a speech:

1. Examples: Examples are instances or experiences that illustrate your message. They are often used to clarify your point or add interest to your speech. To incorporate them into your speech, provide appropriate details about the example, so that your listeners understand how it supports your message. Use examples in moderation, so that they don’t overwhelm your speech.

Example: If you’re giving a speech on leadership, you might use the example of a successful leader who achieved great success by building a strong team and empowering everyone to work together.

2. Statistics: Statistics can help to support your point and add credibility to your speech. Use reliable sources and provide context to help your listeners understand the meaning of the statistics. Incorporate statistics sparingly, so that they don’t take away from your message.

Example: If you’re giving a speech on the importance of education, you could use statistics to show how high school graduates have higher earning potential, and lower rates of unemployment than people who don’t finish high school.

3. Testimony: Testimony is the use of quotes or statements from experts or authorities in a given field to support your argument. When using testimony, you should choose the most reliable and credible sources to support your point. Incorporate the views of others in a way that adds value to your message without detracting from it.

Example: If you’re giving a speech on climate change, you could use testimony from a respected scientist or environmental organization to reinforce your message.

4. Facts: Facts are reliable and verifiable pieces of information that can add weight to your message. Incorporate relevant facts without including irrelevant information. Try to carefully select facts that strengthen your message instead of distorting it.

Example: If you’re speaking about bullying, you could use facts to demonstrate the wide range of negative effects bullying can have on mental health and academic performance.

5. Anecdotes: Anecdotes are brief stories that convey a larger message or have a moral or lesson. Use anecdotes to explain complex concepts or to illustrate your point. When using anecdotes, make sure it is relevant and not too long that will leave the audiences disengaged.

Example: If you’re giving a speech on the power of resilience, you could use an anecdote about a real-life story of someone who overcame adversity and demonstrated resilience by never giving up.

In conclusion, supporting material is a crucial part of any speech, and its proper use can establish the speaker’s credibility and engage the audience. Carefully select the supporting material that will add meaning to your message while keeping your audience engaged.

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