Information gathering

• Preliminary research
  • Learn more about the speaker and topic
  • Why is the speech given?
  • Who is sponsoring it?
  • When and where is it going to occur?
• During speech
  • Audience size, demographics, mood
  • Get handout, if available, for more information about speaker, speech
  • Note comments from audience
  • Record both direct quotes and paraphrases
    • Note: If a quote is interesting, controversial or a nice summary, note it verbatim. During lengthy anecdotes, record the key points and message. Listen for quotable material.

Speech story format

• The first three paragraphs
  • Lead with the most compelling or newsworthy point the speaker made.  Use a partial quote or paraphrase.  Don’t simply tell the speech topic.
    • Tell the “who” without including the name unless it’s a prominent individual.  Otherwise use a standard summary lead.
  • The second graph expands on the first.  This can be done with a powerful quote attributed to the speaker, who can now be identified by name and profession.
  • The third graph can be considered the nut graph.  This tells the specifics introduced in the lead.  Exactly where, when and why did the speech occur?
• Graphs four and beyond
  • Mix direct quotes, background information, transitions, paraphrases, audience reaction and any other newsworthy information throughout the rest of the story.
  • If possible, end with a cap quote, a good summary statement from the speaker.
  • Here is a related example