Req 4 — Researched Speech

This is it — the centerpiece of the Public Speaking merit badge. Everything you have learned so far — structuring your thoughts, using body language, thinking on your feet — comes together in this requirement. You will research a topic, organize your ideas, write a full speech, rehearse it, and deliver it to a real audience. Eight to ten minutes is a serious speech, and completing it is something to be proud of.

Step 1: Choose Your Topic

The requirement says to pick a topic “of interest to your audience.” This is an important detail — it is not just about what interests you, but about what your listeners will care about. The best topics sit at the intersection of what you know and what your audience wants to hear.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Who is my audience? Your troop? A class? A community group? What do they care about?
• What do I already know well? Starting with a topic you understand gives you a head start.
• Can I find reliable information? You need facts, examples, and details to fill eight to ten minutes.
• Is it focused enough? “Space” is too broad. “How NASA is planning to land humans on Mars” is focused and interesting.

Step 2: Research and Collect Information

Good speeches are built on good information. You need facts, stories, examples, and maybe a quote or two. Here is how to gather what you need:

• Start with what you know. Write down everything you already know about the topic. This gives you a foundation.
• Use reliable sources. Libraries, government websites (.gov), educational sites (.edu), and established organizations are your best bets. Be cautious with random blogs and social media posts.
• Take notes by category. As you research, sort your notes into groups: facts, stories, statistics, quotes, examples. This makes organizing much easier later.
• Find a “wow” moment. Look for one surprising fact or story that will grab your audience’s attention. This is your hook.

Step 3: Build Your Outline

An outline is the skeleton of your speech. It keeps you organized and ensures your talk has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Here is a proven structure for an eight- to ten-minute speech:

I. Opening (1 minute)

• Hook: A story, question, surprising fact, or quote that grabs attention
• Topic statement: Tell the audience what you will be talking about
• Preview: Briefly mention the main points you will cover

II. Body (6–7 minutes)

• Main Point 1 — Your strongest or most important idea
  • Supporting evidence (fact, example, or story)
  • Transition to next point
• Main Point 2 — Your second key idea
  • Supporting evidence
  • Transition
• Main Point 3 — Your third key idea (optional but recommended)
  • Supporting evidence
  • Transition to closing

III. Closing (1–2 minutes)

• Summary: Briefly restate your main points
• Call to action or final thought: What do you want the audience to think, feel, or do?
• Memorable closing line: Circle back to your opening hook for a satisfying finish

Step 4: Write Your Speech

With your outline ready, it is time to write the full speech. Here are the keys to writing a speech that sounds natural when spoken:

Write for the ear, not the eye. A speech is not an essay. Use short sentences. Use contractions (“don’t” instead of “do not” when it sounds natural). Repeat key phrases for emphasis. Read every sentence out loud as you write it — if it sounds awkward to say, rewrite it.

Use conversational language. The requirement specifically says to deliver it “in a conversational way.” Imagine you are explaining your topic to a friend. You would not say, “It is imperative that one considers the ramifications.” You would say, “Here is why this matters.”

Build in transitions. Smooth transitions between your main points keep the audience from getting lost. Phrases like “Now that we have covered X, let’s look at Y” or “But here is where it gets really interesting” act as signposts.

Include stories and examples. Facts inform, but stories connect. For every statistic you share, try to pair it with a real example or a brief story that brings it to life.

Step 5: Practice, Practice, Practice

The difference between a good speech and a great one is practice. Here is a rehearsal plan:

1. Read-through (Day 1): Read your speech out loud from start to finish. Do not worry about delivery — just get comfortable with the words.
2. Standing practice (Day 2–3): Stand up, hold your outline (not the full script), and deliver the speech. Focus on eye contact and gestures.
3. Timed run (Day 3–4): Time yourself and adjust. Practice your transitions and make sure you hit the eight- to ten-minute window.
4. Audience practice (Day 4–5): Deliver the speech to a family member or friend. Ask them what was clear, what was confusing, and what was most interesting.
5. Final rehearsal (Day before): One last full run-through. Then stop. Over-practicing the night before can make you sound robotic.

Delivering It “Conversationally”

The requirement emphasizes delivering your speech “in a conversational way.” This does not mean being casual or sloppy — it means sounding like a real person talking, not like someone reading from a textbook. Here are the keys:

• Do not memorize word-for-word. Know your main points and your transitions, but let the exact words come naturally each time. This is why you practice with an outline, not a script.
• React to your audience. If they laugh, pause and let them enjoy it. If they look confused, slow down and explain. A conversation is two-way, even in a speech.
• Vary your pace and volume. Speed up when you are excited. Slow down for important points. Get quieter when you want the audience to lean in. These changes keep your delivery dynamic.
• Pause with purpose. A well-placed pause after a key point gives the audience time to absorb it — and makes you look confident.

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