Chapter Overview

Verbal support materials are vital to the success of a speech. They develop, illustrate, and clarify ideas; they make a speech more interesting and meaningful; and they can help prove an assertion.

Some of the more popular types of verbal supports are (1) definition, which helps make sure that your listeners understand key terms as you intend them to be understood; (2) vivid image, which is a word picture that helps listeners visualize concepts; (3) example, which is an instance that illustrates a statement; (4) narrative, which is a story that amplifies your message; (5) comparison, which shows how two or more things are alike; (6) contrast, which shows how two or more things are different; (7) analogy, which explains a concept by likening it to something that seems different; (8) testimony, which provides input from experts; and (9) statistics, which are numerical ways of conveying information.

Of all these types, the narrative (or story) is the favorite of most audiences. People love to hear stories and are more likely to remember them than most other parts of your speech. As with all support materials, you must make sure that a narrative explains, illustrates, or reinforces the message of your speech. Telling a story that is irrelevant to the subject is not appropriate in informative and persuasive speaking.

Statistics such as averages, percentages, and correlations can be useful in a speech, but you must be careful to use them accurately and fairly. Adapt statistics to your particular audience, making them as interesting and as meaningful as possible.