Demonstration speech;
Demonstration speeches are staples in high school, college, corporate and other training environments. They are a popular form used in forums like toastmasters. Essentially we need to look at the elements of a demo speech.
A demonstration speech is where the speaker’s primary purpose is to teach the audience how to complete a task or process this is a kind of informative speech.
Examples.
- Recipes
- Software application
- Set up a blog
- Write a limerick
The organization of the basic speech would be:
- Start with why – starting with a story of current scenario and how this new skill would contribute to adding quality to people’s life.
- E.g. Earn or save money
- Build skill range.etc.
- Give a brief overview of the process this provides the mental framework for the audience to follow you.
- There is always a fear that something is complicated the overview reassures that it is not.
- Provides the context for listening.
- Go through the steps. This has to be done in a sequential order. The process has to be as simple as possible. Explain the purpose of the step.
- Describe
- Demonstrate
- Discuss options, extras or variations. Maybe different software’s, if programs are being discussed. Maybe flavours. Maybe alternate techniques.
- Allow Q+A time. Question and answer time allows for clearing of doubts. But the time factor should be monitored.
- Summarize briefly.
Elevating the performance.
- Ensure audience participation.
- Use visuals.
- Body language
- Physical properties.
- Photos diagrams.
- Provide follow up resources. This is for them to follow up after the demonstrations. This could include—
- Websites, references, pamphlets, or other expert resources.
- Handouts summarizing the process
- Diagrams illustrating the key process.
- Contact details for follow up.
