Learning Public Speaking

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Unity explains itself. A speech must be about one single thing or one single theme.

A good speech produces one result. It induces action upon one single point. It allows no turning aside from its main theme. It does not stray from the straight and narrow road to pick flowers in the adjacent fields, no matter how enticing the temptation to loiter may be.

In plain terms it does not admit as part of its material anything not closely and plainly connected with it. It does not step aside for everything that crops into the speaker’s mind. It advances steadily, even when not rapidly. It does not “back water.”

It goes somewhere.

To preserve unity of impression a speaker must ruthlessly discard all
material except that which is closely associated with her/his central
intention. He must use only that which contributes to her/his purpose.

The same temptation to keep unrelated material–if it be good in
itself–will be felt now as when the other unsuitable material was set
aside.

Unity may be damaged by admitting parts not in the direct line of the
theme. It may be violated by letting minor portions become too long.

Here lies the pitfall of the overworked “funny,” story, introduced by “that reminds me.” Too often it is not humorous enough to justify repetition; or–what is worse–it does not fit into the circumstances. Another fault of many speakers is over-elaboration of expression, not only for non-essentials, but in the important passages as well.

The attempts to clear up what should have been simply said at first
may lead a speaker to devote too many words to a single point.

This matter of unity must not be misunderstood as prohibiting the inclusion of more than one topic in a speech.

A legislator in urging the repeal of a law might have several topics, such as how the law was passed, its first operations, its increasing burdens upon people, the disappearance of the necessity for it, better methods of securing the same or better results, etc., yet all grouped about the motivating theme of securing the repeal of the law. A speaker might introduce such topics as their obscure origin, unmarked youth, the spur that stimulated their ambition, etc.
In early attempts at delivering speeches don’t be afraid to pause at
certain places to consider whether what you are about to say really
contributes to the unity or destroys it.

Aside from helping you to think upon your feet, this mental exercise will help your speech by making you pause at times–a feature of speaking often entirely disregarded by many persons.

(Words by Clarence Stratton and edited by LearningPublicSpeaking.com)

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