How do I get information to prepare a speech?

So you have to prepare a presentation.  Where do you find the information for your speech?

Surprisingly, much of what you need is already in your subconscious and experiences.


Life’s journey is full of research, learning, anecdotes and humour.  Do you have any personal experience that is relevant to the presentation?  A personal story, work experience or a story that you have heard?

Use this as a base.  Then you can visit the Internet or hit the books.  There are a number of important steps to then follow to complete your speech:

1. Make sure you understand the title and its implications – you don’t want to speak off the subject.
2. Consider the purpose of your presentation – do you want to entertain, inform, convince or inspire your listeners to act?
3. Reflect on what reaction you are looking for.
4. Research your subject – on the Internet, via friends/family; indeed, from anywhere.  Talking about your presentation with a friend over coffee, wine or dinner often leads you to clearer ideas for your presentation.
5. Remember your speaking time when collecting material – sometimes less is more.  Don't try to present too much varied information.  Your listeners may be confused or distracted by the information overload.  Listening to a presentation is not like reading.  Your listeners cannot go back over your presentation - they only hear it once.
6. Is your subject topical?  The media may have some fresh material.
7. Personal stories about people and their challengers work well.
8. Your own story is even more powerful.
9. Brainstorm your ideas and then write them out, while playing around with the order.
10. Consider what you wish to leave with your listeners and then write a conclusion and opening that is focussed on this message.
11. Then take a break.  Allow your subconscious to work over your ideas in your head to improve it.
12. Finally, with plenty of time, write out the speech and reduce it to a few summary cards.

When you think it is about right, consider powerful quotations, rhetorical questions and fresh ideas or influential statistics.  Remember however that all your work may be lost if you don’t practise and work on your delivery.

Good luck with the presentation.