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(The above was handed out at the end of the speech and served as my notes.)
We had Jay Discount come once and give his presentation on how to prepare a speech in 30 minutes (my own estimate was 40 to 45 minutes).
This was to see if I could explain in 2 minutes how to prepare a speech.
First, decide to speak! Without that nothing will get done.
Second, consider your audience. In this respect (as in many others) a Toastmasters audience is ideal, in this case because anything you find interesting we'll find interesting. But for some audiences you may want to present your topic in a certain manner. Make sure you have considered your audience when beginning preparation of your speech.
Every speech has a purpose that is a combination of exactly 4 goals: Inform, Motivate, Entertain and persuade. A speech can be some combination of percentages like 50% motivate and 50% inform or an educational speech with a little humor to make it palatable and memorable that is 90% to inform and 10% entertain. Determine what combination of these goals you are trying to achieve.
Think of three points for you speech. Then think of three supposrts for your points.
Plan your ending; the speech has to have somewhere to go and some way to wrap up. Then (after) plan your beginning so it starts somewhere and your ending can close your beginning.
Organize your speech. What comes first, what comes before what else, what gets left out.
Prepare your notes. Either ones for practice or the ones you will use when you present. Note what you are including. An outline is my prefered form of notes.
Review so you are confident! Nerves are caused by lack of preparation. Speeches lack credability if the speaker lacks confidence in what is being said.
Now DO IT! This is the part where things get done.