Speech development is audience centered. Speech appropriateness and effectiveness are largely dependent on developing a speech that resonates with your specific audience. Effective speech development begins with effective research on your topic. The Internet and your college library are rich resources for researching speech topics. In some instances a personal interview with experts or interesting people who have experience relevant to your purpose statement will supplement Internet and library research.

The first challenge for any speaker is to gain the attention of listeners, then to maintain it throughout the speech. If no one pays attention to your speech, you might as well not give it. An effective introduction is vital to the success of your speech. The introduction establishes the basis for an audience to listen to the whole presentation. An effective conclusion is also important because you want to finish your speech in a memorable way. Outlining and organizing the body of your speech clearly and precisely are essential parts of the speech development process. An organized, clearly outlined speech will build your credibility as a speaker, and it will improve the audience’s comprehension of your message.