Make Connections

Make connections like the old time switchboard operator.

In order to make your informative speech effective, you can think of yourself as the old time switchboard operator and make connections!

Connect ideas and content when preparing the speech. After researching and collecting information for your speech, you will need to connect the ideas and different pieces of information into an organized message. You will group similar ideas together and connect them to form the main points of your speech. In addition to making connections between ideas and pieces of information, one of the most important connections is that between the speech and the audience.

Connect the topic to audience interests. There are many ways to establish this fundamental connection. One of the ways is to explain why the topic of the speech is important. This might occur in the introduction of the speech where you lay out what your speech will say. In addition to laying out the trajectory of the speech, you would include an additional explanation of why the topic is relevant to the audience. Another way to make the connection between the speech and the audience is to express your own interest in the topic. Demonstrating your own excitement could help the audience connect with you and your ideas.

Connect the ideas in the speech with transitions. Transitions are certain words, expressions, or other devices that give text or speech greater cohesion by making it more explicit, or signaling how ideas are meant by the writer or speaker to relate to one another. Transitions can signal addition, example, contrast, comparison, concession, result, summary, time (often chronologically), and place. The following are examples of transitional words and phrases: last, first, second, next, but, on the other hand, moreover, in addition, furthermore, however, to begin with, otherwise, conclusively, lastly, secondly, thirdly, most importantly, in conclusion, to end with, first of all, last of all, to sum it up, last but not least, lastly, finally, for example, on top of all, ultimately, or nevertheless.

Connect the important ideas with signposts. Signposts are a particular type of transition in the form of a brief statement that indicates where the speaker is in the speech, such as first and finally. You use signpost transitions to help the audience organize ideas when you number the main points, such as first, second, etc. You will also use signposts transitions to help the audience remember ideas by telling them what is important by directing their attention to an idea or concept. For example, you might saynow get this, this is really important, or now remember this when you want to signpost the attention of the audience.

Connect ideas with internal previews and summaries. Often you will devote more time to connecting ideas than a simple word or phrase. You may provide a short introductory preview of what you are going to be talking about in order to prepare the audience for what will come next. Additionally, you may want to summarize what you have just said to connect one main point to the next before you start talking about your next point.