Demonstration Speech

A demonstration speech is a form of informational speaking. As you select your topic, consider carefully how your choice will give your audience information that they will find useful and informative. To do this well, you will have to conduct audience analysis. In addition, be sure to choose a topic that you know well.

The purpose of this speech is to inform an audience of your choosing about a simple process with which you are very familiar. This could include speeches along themes of: "how to do W;" "how they make X;" "how to play Y;" or "how to get Z." You must demonstrate the process you select. The main goals of the assignment are to develop your sense of structure and clarity and to show your skills at adapting your message for a particular audience. The speech will also serve to give you a chance to get some feedback about your delivery skills. Below are the specific requirements of the assignment.

  • The time limit for the speech is 3-5 minutes. You should conduct a few "dress rehearsals" for this speech to be sure that you fall within a range of 3.5 to 4.5 minutes every time you deliver it.
  • Delivery of the speech is to be in outline format and extemporaneous. In other words, it should be a prepared and rehearsed presentation, but the topic should be so familiar to you that few notes are required. You may take your outlineup to the front of the room with you.
  • Your Speech Outline sheet must be submitted before you give your speech (make two copies).The specific purpose statement should identify your audience, subject, and desired result. For example: To inform my audience (a group of 10 first graders) how to find a book in the Washburn Public Library; or To inform my 10th grade English class how to use the Alexandria system in the LRC.
  • No source citations are required for this speech, but if you use material from another source, you must acknowledge that source orally when you deliver the speech.
  • Use of a visual aid is required. Visual aids are exceedingly helpful in clearly demonstrating a process. They help your confidence and they help an audience stay interested and retain more information. Chapter 8 offers guidelines for the creation and use of visual aids.
  • Consult the Evaluation Rubric for a Demonstration Speech located after chapter 8 for additional and more specific requirements.
  • Read Chapter 12 for an explanation of how to write a good introduction and conclusion.

Possible Topics for Demonstration Speeches:

You might decide to show us how to do something:
How to
· Improve your posture
· Juggle
· Call a square dance
· Fix a broken lamp
· Fold napkins
· Prepare for a move
· Design a wedding invitation
· Make slipknots
· Filet a fish
· Wallpaper a room
· Make a clown face
· Perform a magic trick
· Mend a tear in upholstery
· Design a memory scrapbook

Other Possibilities:

conduct yourself in an interview / make an orange julius / make pizza wraps
dance the merengue / make an origami crane / make rice krispy treats
decorate a cake / make an origami shirt / make rosebud kisses
do permanent make-up / block in football / make salsa
do the Heimlich maneuver / make pico de gallo / make Spanish rice
draw easy cartoons / make a strawberry pizza / make stained glass cookies
get started in paintball / make chocolate chip cookies
make a Chinese chicken salad / make Easter baskets / order groceries in a warehouse
make a flower out of foil / make flan / play basic guitar chords
make a flower out of ribbon / make fortune cookies / wrap pretty presents
make a fruit salad / make frappacinos / properly treat disabled persons
make a jello cake / make monster cookies / read vehicle invoice prices
make a proper arrest / swing a golf club / rehabilitate a shoulder injury
make a rose out of paper / make lasagna / troubleshoot computer problems
make a smoothie / make magic cookie bars / walk on crutches