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Table of Contents
Introduction 3 Choosing a Topic 5 Where to Start 6 Your Opening 12 The Body of Your Speech 15 Using Humor 18
Your Closing 20 Benefits of a Written Speech 21 Public Speaking Without Fear 22 Body Language 27 Notes, Cue Cards, or What 29 Speaking with Flair 31 The Eyes Have It 32 How to Speak 35 Movement and Gestures 40
Broadcasting versus Conversation 42 The 4 C‟s 44 Finding the Right Voice 47 Making a Good First Impression 50 Impromptu Speaking 52 In General 54 Judging Yourself 58 Conclusion 60
INTRODUCTION
“Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the
clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they
have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what
course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me
death!”
– Patrick Henry
“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated
to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
- Abraham Lincoln
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out
the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons
of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of
oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by
the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious
racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification - one day right there in Alabama little
black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white
boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.”
- Martin Luther King
“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and
the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was
suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
All of the above quotes are from famous speeches that have lived in the minds of people all over the world and are remembered
in nearly every history class. All of these speeches started as a few words jotted down on paper and were propelled into history by
careful composition and skilled delivery.
Writing and delivering a speech sometimes strikes fear into the
hearts of even the most experienced speakers. They wonder if they‟ll stumble over their words. They hope they can convey the
passion they had inside of them when they wrote it. They hope that
they may eventually pass into the ranks of a speaker to be remembered.
If you‟re finding yourself in the position of having to write and deliver a speech, don‟t fear. Giving a speech is just talking about
what impassions you. But the effect it can have is so much deeper.
When you write a speech, there are all sorts of things to keep
in mind as you are penning it. Once you get it just the way you want it, then you have to start thinking about delivering it.
Preparing and delivering your first public speech can be a daunting affair. You may find it difficult deciding what you want to say,
how to say it, or perhaps the thought of speaking before an audience scares you.
It's true that some people are naturally talented at public
speaking, but the good news is that with some helpful guidance, anyone can write and deliver a successful speech that will be
remembered for all the right reasons.
If you‟re unsure about your abilities or just don‟t know where to begin in the first place, don‟t worry. We‟re here to help!
We‟ll explore the entire process from text to speech and help YOU give the most captivating speech of your life!
CHOOSING A TOPIC
If you are giving a speech for a specific reason, your topic may
have already been assigned to you. If that‟s the case, the best you can do is get as much information about the topic as you can.
Do a “Google” search and start your research. Take notes. Get a blank piece of paper or open up a new Word document and jot
down everything that you know on the subject. Add to that what you learned from your research and start grouping all the
information together.
Try the website www.mindmap.com which is a great place to help you with brainstorming about a topic. It‟s also a great place to
just play around at.
If the topic you are given isn‟t something you give a hoot
about, you can probably at least link it to something you love. Show an interest in even the most mundane subject and your audience will
thank you later.
You see, not everyone is into the benefits of HMO‟s or effective
time management in the office. But if you can somehow make it interesting and even funny, at the end, they‟ll thank you!
If you are allowed the freedom of choosing your own topic, this is where the fun can really start. How do you choose? Start by
thinking of something you‟re passionate about. Love your topic, be excited about it, and have a strong desire to entertain audiences by
talking about it.
Talk about what you already know. If you are a self-taught expert about any topic, you probably can go on and on in a casual
situation talking about that subject. You can do the same thing
when you‟re giving a formal speech; you just need to structure it different!
Be sure and do deep research on any topic that you are giving a speech on. Googling a subject is a great start, but it‟s really not
enough. Go to the library and use their reference section. Talk to experts and quote them (with their permission, of course!)
In the initial stage be clear in your mind about the audience expectation. And deep studying of public expectations it would be a
lot easier for you to select a good subject matter. Selecting a subject matter and thinking of the sources of information regarding
the subject go side-by-side and always practiced by established speakers.
Ensure you select a known subject so getting material for the speech becomes easy. The more the subject is dark the more
difficulty you face gathering information about such subjects. This
does not mean that the subject covered in the speeches cannot be wide and have branches.
Then you can start preparing. Gather a rough idea and hone the boring subject into an interesting one. The topic is the subject of
a speech and should be stated as specifically as possible.
Do deep research on your topics for every possible source. A brainstorming research makes a subject an interesting topic. You
may go online for your research and hop from page to page regarding the chosen subject.
WHERE TO START
So you‟ve been asked to give a speech. Perhaps you‟re speaking to co-workers about the new 401K plan. Maybe you have
to make a speech for a class. It really doesn‟t matter why you are giving the speech, what does matter is that you are going to have to
make the speech. And you want to give the best speech you can. Where do you begin?
Your first instinct may be to sit down with a pen and paper and charge full steam ahead into the first line of your speech. Don't. You
will save yourself a lot of time and effort, not to mention much
frustrating re-writing, if you begin instead by devoting some time to careful planning of your speech.
Through effective preparation, you will answer all the questions
and doubts about your speech before they arise. The contents of your speech, and how you deliver it, are based on three important factors:
The Occasion
The nature of the occasion will obviously have a great bearing on
your speech. The occasion will dictate not only the content of your
speech, but also the duration, the tone, and the expectations of your audience.
For example, humor may be inappropriate during a business
presentation or a eulogy, while it may be welcome during a wedding speech, or a sports event. You should also be aware of your role and
any observances that you should make during your speech (For example, a Best Man ought to close his speech with a toast to the
Bride and Groom).
The Audience
Whatever the occasion, your speech must always be targeted at
your audience.
If you are familiar with your audience, for example if the occasion is a large family gathering, then your speech should
acknowledge and build upon your existing intimacy with your audience. The use of names and personal details of members of your
audience can help to engage your listeners.
If the speech is to an unfamiliar audience then an early goal of
your speech must be to build a degree of trust with the listeners. You must know who your audience is in order to best decide how to affect
your message upon them. Consider the following factors:
Audience - Who are the members? How many will be at the
event?
Understanding - What is their knowledge about the topic you will
be addressing?
Demographics - What is their age, sex, educational background, etc.?
Interest - Why will they be at this event? Who asked them to be
there?
Environment - Where will I stand when I speak? Will everyone be able to see me?
Needs - What are the listener's needs? What are your needs as a
speaker? What are the needs of the person who hired you?
Customized - How can I custom fit my message to this
audience?
Expectations - What do the listeners expect to learn from me?
Find out as much as possible about the people you will be
speaking to at the business meeting. Higher level managers will respond differently than those on the shop floor, for example. Tailor
the flavor of your talk, as well as the content, to your particular audience. Try to discern what they hope to gain by your speech.
Imagine how they can use the information in their jobs, and pinpoint special tips.
Talk to the person who asked you to speak to find out more
about the audience. Find out what others will be speaking about in order to make sure you don't overlap information. Ask about past
presentations given by other speakers to the group, and what was
successful.
The Purpose of Your Speech
By setting out a few clear goals before you start writing your speech, you will be better equipped to judge its progress and success
of your speech prior to its public airing. A hilarious Best Man speech may have your audience rolling in the aisles, but if you fail to give
tribute to the Bride and Groom you will have failed in your role.
By setting clear goals, you will be better positioned to judge
the likely success of your speech.
Here‟s a good way to structure your speech: P.R.E.P
No, it doesn‟t mean prepare, although that‟s something you should certainly do.
P.R.E.P stands for:
P oint
R eason E xample
P oint
Most audience members will only remember one or two key
points from a speech.
The sad thing is that most people tend to ramble on and on and on and on and on in their speeches while all the while the audience is
thinking “What‟s the point? Get to the point! You‟re all over the place. I don‟t know what you‟re trying to tell me. Arrrrggghhh. I‟m just going
to think about what I should eat for dinner.”
To avoid this, try to keep your point simple by saying it in one
sentence. (P)
When people hear your point, their next natural thought is “why?”
You must satisfy their thought by providing a good reason. (R)
Then you give a simple example to illustrate your point. (E)
Studies have shown that people will remember the examples in the speech and use that as a link to remember the point of the speech
(tortoise and the hare - easy example that everyone remembers and
the point is easily extracted from the example). So choose a good example.
Then reiterate your point for good measure. (P)
Include at the most 3 P.R.E.Ps. If possible, try to cut down the
number of points to one or two in your speech because the average
audience member will only remember one or two things from your
speech.
When preparing your speech, keep these points and examples simple so you‟re audience will fully comprehend your message.
You‟ll find that if you use this simple P.R.E.P formula, the
audience will easily be able to recollect the main points of your speech,
which is something very rare for audiences in general.
So here‟s the basic outline of your speech.
Intro - Like we‟ve said, use an attention grabbing intro. Use a funny anecdote, or something you noticed in general, or whatever you
can come up with. I leave this up to your creative mind. Case in
point; get their attention so you can tell them about:
Point #1: My point is…What I‟m trying to say is….etc..
R
E
P
Point #2
P
R
E
P
Conclusion: wrap it up and reiterate your points again.
Done
Most good writing, we are told over and over again, must have structure. A good speech is no exception. By providing your speech
with a beginning, middle, and an end, you will have laid the
foundations for a successful speech that fulfils all of your aspirations.
The first thirty seconds of your speech are probably the most
important. In that period of time you must grab the attention of the audience, and engage their interest in what you have to say in your
speech. This can be achieved in several ways. For example you could raise a thought-provoking question, make an interesting or
controversial statement, recite a relevant quotation or even recount a joke.
Once you have won the attention of the audience, your speech
should move seamlessly to the middle of your speech.
The body of your speech will always be the largest part of your
speech. At this point your audience will have been introduced to you and the subject of your speech (as set out in your opening) and will
hopefully be ready to hear your arguments, your musings or on the subject of your speech.
The best way to set out the body of your speech is by
formulating a series of points that you would like to raise. In the
context of your speech, a "point" could be a statement about a product, a joke about the bridegroom or a fond memory of the subject
of a eulogy.
The points should be organized so that related points follow one another so that each point builds upon the previous one. This will also
give your speech a more logical progression, and make the job of the listener a far easier one.
Don't try to overwhelm your audience with countless points. It is better to have fewer points that you make well than to have too
many points, none of which are made satisfactorily.
Like your opening, the closing of your speech must contain some
of your strongest material.
You should view the closing of your speech as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to:
Summarize the main points of your speech
Provide some further food for thought for your listeners
Leave your audience with positive memories of your speech
Choose the final thought/emotion (for example, with well wishes
to the Bride and Groom, with fond memories of a departed friend, with admiration for winners and losers at an awards
ceremony etc). Those are just a few general points. Let’s take on each section and explore it in depth.
YOUR OPENING
Let me start this section by saying that often, it is easier to write the body of a speech before you write the opening and closing.
Even when I write these books, I find myself working on the actual “meat” of the book and going back to write the introduction and
conclusion.
It‟s easy to get overwhelmed when facing a blank page. In
fact, it‟s much easier to be overwhelmed with a blank computer screen, so start with what you know you want to say. You‟ll be
revising over and over, so just begin with your passion.
In the interest of making this book smooth flowing, however, I will start with the opening because it is the beginning, and it makes
sense to start there!
The first thing you have to do when starting to put together
your speech is to establish a purpose. Let the audience know what that purpose is first and foremost.
Doing this keeps you focused on a single message. Your audience cannot process more than one message anyway and they
will often be hearing lots of other things at the same meeting. Make your message something they can remember easily and repeat in a
variety of different ways so they don't forget it.
The number one mistake speakers make when opening up
their speech is starting with something like “Good evening ladies and gentlemen”. It easy to say those words and you don‟t have to worry
about messing up. But, it‟s boring!
Alternatively, the number one rule of writing a speech opening is to get your audience‟s attention. Use humor, shock, imagination –
whatever you can come up with that will make people sit up just a
little bit straighter in their chair and WANT to hear what you have to
say.
There are a number of techniques that can be employed to
achieve great attention-getting openings in your speeches.
Quotations
A quotation from a well-known person can be a very effective opening. A quote from an obscure source isn‟t as successful; part of
the impact comes from the name recognition itself.
There are a lot of great places on the Internet that can give you some amazing quotes. My favorite is www.quotegarden.com.
You can find a quote on almost any topic under the sun.
Make sure the quotation is captivating and attention getting.
Much of that will depend on what your topic is. Even the most dry topic can have a place somewhere in history or a quote that will
apply!
Rhetorical Questions
This is a great way to open a speech. When you ask a question
that will immediately engage the minds of the audience members as they attempt to answer it in their heads.
Of course, keep in mind that you‟re not looking for people to
actually answer you; you simply want to get their brains working. Accompany your questions with one hand raised in the air and the
audience will be cued that you‟re interested in a showing of hands, not verbal responses.
Declarative Statements
Opening with a bold, powerful statement is another good way to grab the audience‟s attention. A startling statistic or bold claim can jolt
them and set the stage for an educational or informational talk.
A shocking statement is often followed by a pause and then a
disclaimer, such as “according to so-and-so in his book…” or “or so I thought when I was growing up.”
Scenarios
This type of opening usually begins with “Imagine…” and the goal is to create a scene for audience members to visualize in their
minds. Remember that audiences rarely remember the words you
say; they remember the pictures you paint for them.
Anecdotes
You‟ve probably already heard somewhere that you should never open a speech with a joke. That‟s true, but it is okay to open with a
short, amusing story, as long as it is both short and amusing.
Find the funny, personal stories in your life and use them as
your opening, making sure they relate to the theme of your speech. When you use an anecdote, some people will just find it amusing, but
others will be able to relate on a higher level and that will open their minds to the broader message you will be sharing.
The best humor comes out of real life experiences, situations
you‟ve been involved in yourself or witness to. Any funny lines you say should have been actually said by someone. Don‟t fall into the trap of
trying to tell jokes. Tell humorous, personal stories instead.
Alcoholics Anonymous Format
I found this on a website and thought it was a great way to open up a speech. The format goes as follows:
This is where I was…..
This is where I am now…..
This is how I got here…..
By using this technique, you not only get people interested in
your topic, you give yourself credibility by knowing about the subject you are speaking on. You can also help people identify better with you
as a fellow human being instead of an “expert” who is just talking about something because you can.
Humor
Humor is different from anecdotes. Anecdotes are real life
stories that are funny. Humor is using jokes. Be very careful when using humor to open up your speech. Humor can be subjective and
some people will either be offended or just not get it. Ask yourself the following questions before committing to using a joke to open up your
speech.
Is it appropriate to the occasion and for the audience?
Is it in good taste?
Does it relate to me, my product or service, the event, or the group?
Does it support the topic or its key points?
If you can't answer yes to these questions, choose a different
opening. It's safer and more effective to tell the audience what they
most want to know from you. And by all means, let them know what your intention is.
At the beginning of the speech, say a few things about what your
speech is intended to do. When you do this, they‟ll know what to look for and what to expect. Then, when you have achieved your objective,
they‟ll be satisfied and so will you.
As we said before, you should write your opening after you have already written the body of your speech so that it is applicable to the
topic and the message that you want to convey.
THE BODY OF YOUR SPEECH
When you start writing the body of your speech, you might want
to begin with an outline just like you had to do in composition class. You should have a topic sentence and then a few points to emphasize
that sentence. As you include your supporting information, be thinking of ways to lead naturally into the next portion of your speech.
Use Basic English. Keep your sentences fairly short (sentence
fragments are sometimes all right to use), and your words fairly simple, unless the longer word is important to your topic. Try of avoid
words that could be mistaken for another word.
Remember when I said to brainstorm for things to include in your speech? Here‟s where that will come in. Take that list and make
three subsections where you will expound on what you spoke about in your introduction.
As you organize and add to these subsections, think about the first thing that you want your audience to know. Then the second and
so forth and so on. Make each section 2 or 3 paragraphs long and keep referring back to your brainstorming sheet if you get stuck.
While writing the body of your speech, always keep in mind what
it is that you want to accomplish. Are you trying to convince them to come around to your point of view? Are you trying to push them to
action? Is your speech just a way of conveying information? When you remember the purpose of your speech, writing it will come much
easier!
Avoid trying to include too many statistics and facts in your speech. While they are effective in getting your point across, when
you include too many, you‟re going to confuse people. Ninety percent
of all speeches are just plain boring. The reason they‟re boring is because they have too many facts and figures to deal with.
Don‟t cram their brains with unnecessary information, just focus
on what‟s important: your message. If you include too much in your speech, people will lose interest. It takes about 20 minutes to put
your audience on information overload. The KISS principle is especially helpful when composing the body of your speech:
Keep It Simple Silly
Speak from experience and pepper your body with personal
stories. It‟s easier for you to remember things you‟ve experienced and people will be able to relate better to you on a personal level.
You have already identified your audience at this point – at least
we hope you have. If you haven‟t, please go back and read that part! When writing your speech, it‟s a good idea to speak in the “language”
of the people you are addressing.
There are two different types of registers you can use: casual and formal. A casual register includes the usage of slang,
euphemisms, and a more casual, talkative style. The formal register is just what it sounds like, formal. The language of formal register is
technical and does not use any type of slang. Formal register is the language of wordsmiths and technicians.
Also, think about what your audience would enjoy. Will they be content to just sit back and listen or would their interest be heightened
if they are asked to actually participate in your speech in some way. Actually a blend of kinesthetic, audio, and visual tools is the best, but
some audiences may be shy and when you ask them to contribute, they won‟t. This is a great way to bomb quickly at the podium.
In general, it‟s best to keep your word usage to simple English.
Use active words rather than passive words: act now rather than do this. That will have more impact in the minds of your listeners.
Be sure to have a link in your body to your introduction. The
segue between introduction and body must be seamless and flow. Otherwise, your speech will sound disjointed and scattered and you‟ll
lose interest quickly.
When you are giving a live speech, your success is almost
completely dependent on what your audience remembers from what you say. People have bad memories and if your speech is boring or
complicated, they will recall little of what you had to say and will only remember how bad your speech was.
The right speech style is almost always conversational. Talk to
your audience the way you would talk to a friend over a cup of coffee in a natural, friendly, personal style. This is a great way to connect
with your audience and make a memorable speech.
It is possible to change direction abruptly in a presentation, but
you need to be a practiced speaker to pull it off and know how to use your stage body language as well as that other wonderful presenter's
tool, silence. Nothing gets an audience's attention faster than a few seconds of total silence when they're expecting a stream of words. All
of this carried out by a novice speaker who can't quite get the nuances right, however, can be a disaster.
We think this is a great place to address the use of humor in
your speech.
USING HUMOR
Humor is generally the interpretation of life and experiences in a way that can make people laugh. Humor, however, is a subjective
thing. What‟s funny to one person may or may not be funny to another.
Humor can come about in two ways. First, something is
humorous when our normal expectation of what should happen is
somehow changed either in a subtle or dramatic way. This can be applied to life situations or simple language variations.
Humor can also come about when a situation or conversation
takes a sudden, unexpected turn or shift in perspective. Nearly anything can be the focus of this perspective especially people which
can lead to humor through humiliation or a type of verbal abuse – but in a funny way. Don‟t ask me why, but that‟s what usually happens.
Have you ever noticed how the set-ups to jokes usually contain three of something – i.e. a priest, a rabbi, and a lawyer? This also has
to do with preconceived notions of expected outcomes being changed in and credible way. Here‟s a good example:
“A gardener, an architect, and a lawyer are discussing which of their
vocations is the most ancient. The gardener comments, "My vocation
goes back to the Garden of Eden, when God told Adam to tend the garden." The architect comments, "My vocation goes back to the
creation, when God created the world itself from primordial chaos." They both look curiously at the lawyer, who asks, "And who do you
think created the primordial chaos?"
When the lawyer responds with his answer, it is made within the pattern established already in the joke, but it bends the expectation of
what he‟s going to say. Of course, there are so many of these types of jokes today, that people almost come to expect the lawyer is going to
say something that will bash himself and people generally find that very funny.
As with your introduction, we should caution you about the use
of humor throughout your speech. Sure, people love to have a laugh – especially when hearing a speech, but you need to use it wisely in
your speech. There‟s a big difference between being witty and telling jokes. Unless you‟re very experienced, you should avoid the joke
telling and stick with a few well-placed witticisms.
If you're not a naturally "funny" person you won't suddenly
transform yourself into one just because you're standing up in front of a group of people. If anything that tends to make you less, not more
funny. So whatever happens don't be persuaded to tell a few jokes if that's something you would never dream of doing informally at a social
gathering.
If you do feel comfortable telling jokes, then use them sparingly,
as punctuation - unless you're to be "best man" at a wedding or the entertainment after a social dinner, wall-to-wall jokes are usually
inappropriate.
Jokes in a speech should always be tailored to the audience and material. Gag writing is a specialized writing technique and there are
quite a few good books around on comedy writing, if you're interested in learning how to do it.
If you're looking for jokes to adapt there are some good joke books available in bookstores and of course you can find them online
via the usual big sites - try keying in +JOKES+(YOUR SUBJECT). If you key the same thing into a search engine you'll also come across jokes
archived on websites devoted to the subject concerned.
Something you need to be mindful of is copyright and legally you may not have the right to use a joke as it appears in a book or on a
website, because when you give the speech that could constitute
public broadcast. Circumstances vary from country to country. If
you're at all concerned about the copyright implications of using jokes
in your speeches you should ask your legal advisers for guidance.
But all good things must come to an end. At this point, we believe you‟ve got a good speech down on paper. Now let‟s wrap it
up!
YOUR CLOSING
Seasoned speech writers agree that a good speech will start with
a bang and end with a bang. Your closing is just as important as your opening because you want your audience to walk away feeling like
they‟ve learned something and will remember what you had to say.
In the introduction you told them what you were going to say. In the body, you told them again in detail. In the conclusion now tell
them again. Tell them what you‟re going to say, tell them, and then
tell them what you said. Make the conclusion about 2 times as long as your introduction.
Do you want action with that? A speech is made to inform, to
persuade, or to move to action. Finish off your speech with a statement that meets one of those purposes. Ending with a 'call to
action' can be a powerful way to get your audience to act on your message.
Both opening and closing statements in a speech are so very
important. Not just for the impact they can have, but also because
they help to tell the audience to watch out for something. When you give your introduction, you are telling them that you will be talking to
them about something interesting. At the end, you are reminding them that you have just told them something interesting.
When writing your closing, you can use the same thinking as in
writing your introduction. Close with an anecdote, a personal story, even a joke. Just make sure that what you are closing with is relevant
to the topic you‟ve just spend a half hour talking about.
The opening and closing don't have to be earth-shattering, but
they do have to be part of you and your material. If you're naturally a quiet, private sort of person there's no way you should struggle with a
passionate, emotive ending to your speech, even if others think you
should be able to carry it off.
One very important rule about giving speeches is if you don't think something will work for you on the night, you're right - it won't.
Don't be talked into retaining anything you're not comfortable with, because something that's a small hiccup in rehearsals will become a
major stumbling block on show day.
Then you will have a full manuscript of your speech. You might
wonder why you need a manuscript when you will be delivering the speech orally. Actually, there are several very good reasons why.
BENEFITS OF A WRITTEN SPEECH
When you go to deliver your speech, you can choose to recite it
from memory or use note cards during the presentation. So why do
you need a full written down version?
To begin with, a hard copy gives you a detailed framework about your speech and how it is laid out. If you are an inexperienced
speaker, this can be especially helpful to help you keep your place during delivery and flow smoothly from point to point.
When your words are written down in hard copy format, you can
develop and balance your content more easily. You can actually see places where you might be weak in supporting information or where
the speech doesn‟t flow smoothly. With this written copy, you can make the changes you need and make your speech smooth as silk.
You won‟t have to make up anything as you go along. With careful preparation, you can write your speech to take up a specific
amount of time. If you are scheduled to give a 30 minute speech but
only have 20 minutes of material, the discrepancy will be noticed. Especially if you are inexperienced, it can be very difficult to ad-lib for
those extra 10 minutes.
How do you calculate how much content you‟ll need for a specific time frame? There are actually a couple of ways to do this.
A normal double spaced, typed page should take three to four
minutes to read through at a correct pace. Take the number of pages
you have in your speech and calculate the number of minutes you
have in your speech. Then you can adjust as needed.
Also, the average speaker delivers about 120 words per minute. Get the total word count of your written speech and divide it by 120 to
get the total presentation time. Again, adjust as needed.
While you may not exclusively use your written speech to speak
from, it‟s always nice to have it up there with you at the podium. Why? Well, if you‟re reciting something from memory and lose your
place, you can refer to it and regain your place much easier than if you could, plus you wouldn‟t have to ad-lib anything.
A full script will give you an amazing amount of self-confidence and assurance in the early stages of your speaking „career”. As you
get more practiced at speaking you will probably find that you become less dependent on the script and may work off bullet points or notes,
but I still think it's worth writing the whole thing out initially.
It can alleviate a lot of fears that many people have for public speaking. Which sounds like a good segue into the next chapter.
PUBLIC SPEAKING WITHOUT FEAR
Public speaking is among the top fears and phobias that many people have. If you‟re one of those people, the prospect of giving a
speech can send terror through your body paralyzing you with fear.
We‟ll address tips for making you a better speaker in the next chapter, but first, we have to get over that irrational fear of speaking
to an audience. And when we say the fear is irrational, we don‟t mean any disrespect to you at all. The truth is that many phobias – and fear
of public speaking is a phobia – are irrational and not based in reality.
When you talk, you really aren‟t doing anything dangerous. You
won‟t get hurt and you won‟t die. That‟s what makes the fear irrational. You‟re not afraid of the speaking, you‟re afraid of possible
embarrassment.
We fear making a complete and utter fool of ourselves in front of friends, colleagues and people that matter, and we have powerful
emotional memories from childhood of being embarrassed. These
anchored memories are dramatically recalled and reinforced every
time we think about speaking in public.
When you let this fear come into your life, it can have some consequences. It leads us to a conclusion that we are "not good
enough." We develop alibis, "put down scripts", to avoid the trauma of speaking in public. "I've nothing worth saying," or "My life is pretty
boring," or "It's all been said already." They are not true; they are a survival mechanism to prevent us being put into a position of having
to speak in public.
One of the worst side effects of this process is that people "keep their heads down", disempowering themselves by never standing to
speak, avoiding promotion and sabotaging their careers. A vicious circle all build on the fear of speaking in public.
Your first line of defense in overcoming your fear is to be
thoroughly prepared. That‟s why we suggested you make a written copy of your speech. That way you will know that your thoughts are
well organized and make sense. If you‟re unsure of that, just have someone else read the speech, or, better yet, read it to them. That‟s
great practice!
Rehearse your speech often. Speak to yourself in front of a mirror or deliver your speech to someone else. This can be a
colleague, a friend, a family member, or the family dog – it doesn‟t matter as long as you are the one who is talking.
If the people you are rehearsing with do give you some advice,
take it and implement it into your speaking. If the dog tells you something, call your shrink! (Just a little humor there!)
On the day of the speech, you will likely be beset with a horrible case of nausea – the proverbial butterflies in the stomach. This is a
physical symptom manifested by your mental state of mind. Don‟t let it overtake you.
Learn deep breathing techniques and self relaxation. Deep
breathing will pull in oxygen. Adrenalin, secreted to help you deal with the fear brought on by little doubts, causes breaths to become
shallow, or causes you to hold your breath. Deep breathing will help your brain work to capacity, and forcing the slower pace will quell the
panic. Practice them anytime you start to feel edgy and out of control.
Dress comfortably. If your clothes are too tight, too short or
riding up your . . . uh, you don‟t want to dress in a way that will interfere with movement or breathing.
Concentrate on the message -- not the medium. Focus your
attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.
Check out the room. Arrive a little early so you can become familiar with the layout of the room. Where will you stand while you speak? Is there a microphone? How will the audience be seated? If you
are using equipment, such as a projector, try it out to make sure everything is working properly.
Get to know the audience. As audience members arrive, introduce yourself and chat with them. It will reduce your nervousness
later. After all, you won‟t be speaking to a bunch of nameless strangers; you will be speaking to Jeff, Laura, Steve, Diane, and all the
other nice people you shook hands with earlier.
Use prayer or meditation. If you‟re a believer you can pray if you are not at least take time to clear your mind and meditate. A short
prayer for God to guide you and give you the right words can‟t ever
hurt. God has promised to give believers words even when they are under a heavy persecution; Mt 10:19. Why wouldn‟t he also help when
there isn‟t any persecution? He would.
Obviously you must do this before you speak. If you don‟t pray before you speak you might find yourself praying in the middle of your
presentation for God to get you out of it as quickly as possible. Do not overlook this little gem because although it seems unimportant, it can
actually be what makes or breaks your performance or presentation.
Before you begin speaking ask yourself one all important
question. Who in this entire audience could do or say what I am doing or saying? If you consider the answer very carefully you will always
arrive at the same answer which is, few to none. YOU are the one who will be at the podium; THEY are the ones in the audience.
Sure, some of them are capable of giving speeches, but you
were the one who was asked. Someone has confidence in your
abilities, so live up to them and resolve to show anyone who does
have public speaking experience that you are in their league.
The bottom line is that since no one can say or do what you are saying or doing just get on with it. Waste no time on what anyone
thinks. If they could do what you are doing they would be in the podium and you would be in the audience.
See the crowd as only one person. No science is available to prove how or why this little tool works, but be assured it will never fail.
Always speak to the audience as if you were talking to only one single person. It makes them feel that you are being very personal with each
individual, they can feel the difference.
It shrinks the crowd on a perceptional level for you. Remember that perception is often the better part of reality. It moves the entire
matter to a, one on one. Who wouldn‟t admit that they are more comfortable talking to their neighbor or some stranger but not a whole
crowd? Approach your performance or address as if you were doing
just that and you will succeed.
When you stand up at that podium, lie about how you feel. It‟s a proven fact that if you smile when you are feeling blues, that
melancholy will eventually go away and you really will be happier. So bluff the audience and pretend you are in complete control.
Stand tall, with shoulders back and chest out. Smile. Even
though you don‟t feel happy or confident, do it anyway. You will look confident and your body will fool your brain into thinking it is
confident. This really works!! Bluff – body and smile
Keep you mouth and throat hydrated. Plan to keep a drink on hand while you are speaking, though this sounds impossible. Visualizing how you will use it if you need it, and calling up the
audacity to do such a thing will carry across to your attitude as you take your place to speak, placing your glass just where you need it to
be.
Adrenalin sends the blood rushing to the fight/flight centers of
your brain at the base of the skull. Place your hand on your forehead and press gently on the bony points. This will bring the blood to the
parts of the brain that need it to present your speech best.
Know you are prepared. Obviously this depends on actually
being prepared, so take every opportunity in the days leading up to the speech to prepare your material. Be familiar with the structure of
the presentation, and the ideas to use.
Memorize the most important parts, and the parts you are frightened of forgetting. It‟s a good idea to memorize the opening of
the speech and in the moments before presenting it, reassure yourself that you know that part, and that would lead on to the rest. It will
work, believe me!
The next few tips reiterate some of what we‟ve already told you
in the writing chapters, but they can really help you overcome some fears and be more confident on stage.
1. Speak from Experience
Speak on a topic about which you have earned the right to speak. If you speak about something you know well, if you speak on a
topic about which you feel passionate then you are going to feel far more confident.
2. Become a Storyteller
Develop stories about your experiences in life and in work. Start
getting into the habit of telling stories to friends and colleagues socially or at work. Stories are easy for us to remember as speakers
and easy for the audience to remember.
3. Give Your Speech a Clear Purpose
When you start writing your speech, begin with a clear and
definite purpose. Why are you delivering this speech? What exactly do you want to achieve with it? What is the audience expecting from it?
4. Stick to Three Supporting Points
One main message - your purpose - supported by three points all
illustrated by interesting facts and stories and you have a winning speech. That makes it easy for you to remember and easy for the
audience to recall. They will thank you for the clarity and you will
overcome your fear because won't make a fool of yourself.
Now that we‟ve addressed your fears about giving your speech,
let‟s look at ways you can make your delivery memorable. We‟ll start by looking at body language.
BODY LANGUAGE
Body language is a broad term for forms of communication using
body movements or gestures instead of, or in addition to, sounds,
verbal language, or other forms of communication. Body language includes the most subtle movement that many people are not aware of
including winking and slight movement of the eyebrows. Facial gestures are also part of a person‟s body language.
Voluntary body language is the movement, gestures, and poses
intentionally made by a person. This includes conscious smiling, hand movements, imitation, etc.) It can apply to many types of soundless
communication. Generally, movement made with full or partial intention and an understanding of what it communicates can be
considered to be voluntary.
Involuntary body language often takes the form of facial expression and has been suggested as a means to identify the
emotions of a person with whom one is communicating.
Body language isn‟t just a human trait. In the animal kingdom,
body language plays a very important role in communication. Animals don‟t use words to communicate, they use posture, gestures, and
expression to convey a feeling or thought.
Conversely, animals can sense and interpret our body language much easier that we can interpret another human being‟s body
language. An animal can tell in a moment whether or not he is being threatened just by a person‟s facial expressions. That‟s pretty
amazing!
Body language is a combination of genetic and environmental
influences. Blind children can smile and laugh even if they‟ve never seen a smile. In fact, there are some basic elements of body language
that are universal among cultures which, some say, make them fixed
action patterns under instinctive control.
Some of our own body language shows continuities and consistencies with that of apes, but with changes in meaning. Certain
other gestures must be learned, such as nodding the head for “yes” and shaking the head for “no”.
Although in general we are not aware of it, we send and receive
non-verbal signals all of the time. These signals can indicate what we are truly feeling at a specific time. The technique of “reading” people
is often used.
For example, the idea of mirroring body language to put people at ease is commonly used in interviews. It sets the interviewee at
ease, and following the body language of someone else indicates that
you understand them and feel at ease yourself.
Body language is particularly important in group communications. As the group gets larger, the body language starts
to dominate the spoken language.
Body language is a huge factor in human courtship too. It is a subconscious or subtle method of communication between potential
mates. Watch closely the next time you‟re in a place where people meet such as a bar. See how the body language of people comes into
play.
Body language is widely used in the sales field as well where sales people are trained to observe and read the body language of
their potential customers. These sales people will utilize subliminal
cues exhibited by the customers in order to close a deal.
In our daily lives, we encounter many forms of body language gestures, and when giving a speech, you can use body language to
your advantage. Consider the following examples of body language and what they mean:
Self-Confidence: hands behind the back or hands clasped in front
Superiority: hands clasped behind the head
Uncomfortable: folded arms or crossed legs
Negative Evaluation of a Situation: touching the nose
Defensiveness: standing with arms folded
Stress: shaking legs
And these are just a few examples. There are people who specifically study body language and what certain gestures and
movements mean. It‟s actually quite fascinating!
When you are giving a speech, body language is very important.
Imagine what it would be like to be sitting in an audience listing to a speaker who stood in one place behind a podium reading the speech to
you instead of actually presenting it. I know I‟ve been to more than a
few of these presentations and they can bore you to tears!
Use your body language to convey your excitement about the topic – even if you‟re not excited, act like it! It doesn‟t matter why
you were asked to give the speech, this is essentially show business and you need to perform for your audience. Your job is to give them
more than what they would get from reading the same information. Body language can help you do that.
Which leads us to one more subject to cover before we get on to
making a dynamic presentation.
NOTES, CUE CARDS, OR WHAT?
There are many theories that abound in this category with
regards to delivering your speech. No one way is better than another, but there are some considerations we would be remiss if we did not
tell you about. After all, you want to give a great speech, knowing your material is the most important part!
Earlier we told you that you really need to have a full written
copy of your entire speech. This is not so you can bring it to the stage with you and just read from it. This is mainly because that way you
can see the structure and make changes as needed. But a full written
copy also makes rehearsing it much easier.
Ideally, the best way to give a speech is by memorizing it and then allowing your personality to shine through during delivery. So
that‟s the ideal way to do it. However, human beings can make mistakes and there‟s nothing worse than being in the middle of a
speech and forgetting what part comes next!
Professional speakers have honed the art of ad-lib, but you probably won‟t have that knack developed yet. If you do decide to
give your speech from memorization, be sure you know it backwards and forwards.
Practice while brushing your teeth, practice while driving to work, heck, even practice while taking a shower! You have to know
this speech inside and out – every comma, quotation mark, and period. Involve the help of a friend or member of your family and
rehearse in front of them. Stand in the mirror and rehearse with
yourself!
Take caution here, though. When you have your speech completely memorized, it‟s easy to slip into a rote delivery – one with
absolutely no punch at all. It‟s almost the same as standing at that podium and reading the speech.
Memorization can be difficult, however, and very risky as we‟ve
said. So, there are a couple of other techniques that can help you along the way. My favorite has always been note cards. You know
those little 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 white cards with dark blue lines that you can get at almost any store? Yeah, those! I buy them by the carton
because I use them for so many things, but for speeches, they‟re great also.
Note cards are not a crutch – they‟re a way to help keep you on
track and know what the next part of your speech is going to be. So, if you‟re going to be using note cards, DO NOT write your whole
speech on them. Just write the main ideas along with a few words to remind you of what you‟re going to say about those ideas.
Your notes should consist of the keywords or points of your
speech - a skeleton of thoughts or words around which you can build your speech. You may refer to your notes occasionally to maintain the
thread of your speech, while for the most part of you will be able to speak directly to the audience.
Here‟s a valuable piece of advice as well: when you make your
note cards, always make two copies! I remember an episode of “the Brady Bunch” where Mike Brady was to give a big speech and he
couldn‟t find his note cards. This caused chaos in the family until they were finally found and all was well (typical Brady Bunch episode!).
If Mike had just made a second copy of those cards, such drama
wouldn‟t have happened, but the show would have been awfully short too! At any rate, make yourself an extra copy – better to be safe than
sorry!
Oh, and keep those two sets in separate places! Maybe keeping
one set at the office and one set at home would work for you. However you need to store them is fine; just store them away from
each other until the big day.
After you‟ve made these two sets of note cards, make a small hole in one corner using a hole punch. You can then tie all the cards
together with string or whatever you want. That way you can turn the cards over as they're used, but should you drop them you won't have
to fumble around trying to pick them up and re-order them. The securing device does not have to be sophisticated, as long as it's
strong
When you have these notes in front of you, don‟t read from
them, just glance at them from time to time – such as when you need a memory boost. They are not a crutch; they are a memory aid, so
use them as such.
Another great tool to have when giving a speech is to prepare a Power Point presentation that the audience can look at and refer to
while you‟re speaking. This can serve as a sort of teleprompter for you – or electronic notes, if you will. Plus, if you use a Power Point,
you can “jazz” it up and make it captivating for your audience.
So, you‟ve got your speech, you‟ve made up your note cards, now let‟s look at how you can make your speech really great – through
your delivery!
SPEAKING WITH FLAIR
Delivery of your speech is what will make it interesting and
captivating. Ninety percent of speeches are boring and drab. Why? Because the speaker doesn‟t take time to make it interesting. You can
have a wonderfully written presentation, but if you don‟t put some flair into the delivery, you‟ll be joining the ranks of boring speeches and
boring speakers. Plus, you‟ll lose your audience‟s attention – really quick!
The goal of a speech is to entertain the audience while giving
them information that they can really use. Focus on that during your delivery. This is show business, and if you treat it as such, you will be
a great speaker.
Now, that doesn‟t mean that you have to stand on stage and do a two-step or jump around with excitement. What it means is speak
with passion and believe in what you‟re saying.
Your appearance can make all the difference in your confidence
as a speaker. Think about the audience you will be presenting your speech to and dress like them. If they‟re wearing business attire such
as suits, you should wear a suit too. To under dress is to communicate the message, “I'm smarter/richer/more powerful than
you. I can insult you and not take you serious, and there's nothing you can do about it.” This is hardly the way to get an audience to like you.
Present the desired image to your audience. Look pleasant,
enthusiastic, confident, proud, but not arrogant. Remain calm. Appear relaxed, even if you feel nervous. Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and
show appropriate emotion and feeling relating to your topic.
While you are speaking, talk in a smooth, even tone. It‟s very common for beginning speakers to speak too quickly and too loudly.
Make your pace conversational and don‟t rush it. Also, be sure to match your tone of voice with the subject matter. If it‟s a solemn
topic, don‟t whoop and holler. But don‟t bring your audience down.
Your job is to convey information in a way that they can understand and relate to.
The best way to speak to your audience is through eye contact.
THE EYES HAVE IT
Eye contact is very important during a speech. When you
establish eye contact with the audience, they will like you more and have the feeling that they are part of your speech.
Making eye contact can also make you more comfortable being
the center of everyone‟s attention. Find a friendly face on each side of the room and look at them often. Mix-up who you are looking at. You
don‟t have to see everyone, but do make an effort!
Use the 3-second method, e.g. look straight into the eyes of a person in the audience for 3 seconds at a time. Have direct eye
contact with a number of people in the audience, and every now and
then glance at the whole audience while speaking. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved.
Eye contact is the cement that binds together speakers and their
audiences. When you speak, your eyes involve your listeners in your presentation. There is no surer way to break a communication bond
between you and the audience than by failing to look at your listeners. No matter how large your audience may be, each listener wants to feel
that you are talking to him or her.
The adage, "The eyes are the mirror of the soul," underlines the
need for you to convince people with your eyes, as well as your words. Only by looking at your listeners as individuals can you convince them
that you are sincere and are interested in them, and that you care whether they accept your message. When you speak, your eyes also
function as a control device you can use to assure your listeners' attentiveness and concentration.
Eye contact can also help you to overcome nervousness by
making your audience a known quantity. Effective eye contact is an important feedback device that makes the speaking situation a two-
way communication process.
By looking at your audience, you can determine how they are
reacting. When you develop the ability to gauge the audience's reactions and adjust your presentation accordingly, you will be a much
more effective speaker.
How can you use your eyes most effectively? Consider the following:
Know your material. Know it so well that you don't have to
devote your mental energy to the task of remembering the sequence of ideas and words.
You should prepare well (remember to use the 9 P's) and
rehearse enough so that you don't have to depend heavily on notes. Many speakers, no matter how well prepared, need at
least a few notes to deliver their message. If you can speak effectively without notes, by all means do so. But if you must
use notes, that's fine. Just don't let them be a substitute for preparation and rehearsal.
Even many experienced speakers use notes. Often, they take
advantage of such natural pauses as audience laughter or the aftermath of an important point to glance briefly at their notes.
To make this technique work, keep your notes brief. (See
Chapter 6 for more on this topic.)
Establish a personal bond with listeners. How do you do this?
Begin by selecting one person and talking to him or her personally. Maintain eye contact with that person long enough to
establish a visual bond (about 5 to 10 seconds). This is usually the equivalent of a sentence or a thought. Then shift your gaze
to another person.
In a small group, this is relatively easy to do. But, if you're addressing hundreds or thousands of people, it's impossible.
What you can do is pick out one or two individuals in each section of the room and establish personal bonds with them.
Then each listener will get the impression you're talking directly to him or her.
Monitor visual feedback. While you are talking, your listeners are responding with their own non-verbal messages. Use your eyes
to actively seek out this valuable feedback. If individuals aren't looking at you, they may not be listening either. Their reasons
may include one or more of these factors:
They may not be able to hear you.
Solution: If you are not using a microphone, speak louder and
note if that works.
They may be bored.
Solution: Use some humor, increase your vocal variety or add powerful gestures or body movements.
They may be puzzled.
Solution: Repeat and/or rephrase what you have just said.
They seem to be fidgeting nervously.
Solution: You may be using distracting mannerisms. Maybe you
have food on your clothes (or worse, maybe your blouse is unbuttoned or your fly isn't closed). Make sure you are aware of
these embarrassing possibilities before and during your speech. If necessary, try to correct them without bringing more attention
to them. On the other hand, if your listeners' faces indicate pleasure, interest and close attention, don't change a thing.
You're doing a great job!
You need to pay attention to how you‟re talking just as much as what you‟re saying.
HOW TO SPEAK
Speak to the person farthest away from you to ensure your voice is loud enough to project to the back of the room. Vary the tone of
your voice and dramatize if necessary. If a microphone is available, adjust and adapt your voice accordingly.
As we‟ve already noted, body language is important. Standing,
walking or moving about with appropriate hand gesture or facial
expression is preferred to sitting down or standing still with head down and reading from a prepared speech.
Speak to your audience, listen to their questions, respond to
their reactions, adjust and adapt. If what you have prepared is obviously not getting across to your audience, change your strategy
mid-stream if you are well prepared to do so.
Remember that communication is the key to a successful presentation. If you are short of time, know what can be safely left
out. If you have extra time, know what could be effectively added. Always be prepared for the unexpected.
Pause. Allow yourself and your audience a little time to reflect and think. Don't race through your presentation and leave your
audience, as well as yourself, feeling out of breath.
Know when to STOP talking. Use a timer or the microwave oven clock to time your presentation when preparing it at home. Just as you
don't use unnecessary words in your written paper, you don't bore your audience with repetitious or unnecessary words in your oral
presentation.
To end your presentation, summarize your main points in the same way as you normally do in the conclusion of a written paper.
Remember, however, that there is a difference between spoken words
appropriate for the ear and formally written words intended for reading.
Terminate your presentation with an interesting remark or an
appropriate punch line. Leave your listeners with a positive impression and a sense of completion. Do not belabor your closing remarks.
Thank your audience and sit down.
Seek audience participation. Once a rapport has been established with a crowd, keep the connections going by peppering the
talk with more audience interaction. By engaging the audience, they
automatically become more vested in what you are saying because they are a part of it.
Take it easy. It's worth noting that even the well-prepared can
face an attack of the nerves when the big moment arrives to take the stage. To alleviate anxiety, forget the oft-repeated advice to picture
the audience naked.
The best advice to cure tension is to mingle with the audience, and spot a friendly face in the crowd, preferably one that will beam
and nod at the speaker during the presentation. Professional speakers
call these "positive listeners."
If it's impossible to get to know the audience ahead of time, or if the crowd is small, try to plant a few friends or colleagues in the
audience. Glancing at them can help a speaker feel energized during rough spots in the presentation.
Show enthusiasm. When the presentation starts, don't be afraid to let some passion shine through. In fact, this can make your speech more memorable than you ever thought possible!
Speakers are often at their best when talking about a subject they care deeply about, that's very important to them. In addition to
passion, don't forget to make eye contact, he advises -- and never forget to smile.
Realize that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to
be interesting, stimulating, and informative. They don't want you to
fail.
The audience is on your side. They came to hear what you have to say. They are spending their time (and perhaps money) to be there,
and they are predisposed to like you. Don‟t assume they are waiting for you to fail. They aren‟t.
Don't apologize. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be
calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Avoid pointing out your own imagined inadequacies; your audience has
a higher opinion of you than you think.
Go ahead and get emotional. If your stuff doesn‟t move you it won‟t move anyone else either. This is an immutable rule of presentation.
If you are singing your interpretation of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” pour yourself into it. If you are speaking about the nocturnal
habits of fire ants do it with gesticulations, reverberations and tremors. Ridiculous you say, think again.
When you get wrapped up in your speech and show it through
your delivery, even when you think your performance isn‟t your best, your audience will!
Get personal with the audience. This is far more than good
advice, it is a rule that if ignored will become the difference between success and failure. You can give a perfect presentation, but without
addressing the audience, you will probably not be remembered.
You might know your topic and your speech backwards and
forwards, but without acknowledging the people listening to you, you will likely be met with yawning and fidgeting.
Give your speech the personal touch by showing your audience
you care about them. You must get a rapport going with any audience on the personal level or will get nothing else going at all. How can you
do that?
Take a cue from the stand up comedian or the storyteller. They
ask mundane questions and they wait for someone to answer or acknowledge it with a gesture or murmur. Where are you from, any
one here from New York? Hey, does it ever stop raining here in Washington. Let me see how many of you are here tonight; if you‟re
here raise your hand. For those of you that didn‟t raise your hand I have a question, where the heck are you?
You can also employ a question and answer session near the end of your speech. Here are some tips for effective Q and A time:
If you don't hear the question or understand it, ask the questioner to repeat it.
Stay calm and pleasant. Remember that your ultimate goal is to
teach the audience something they didn‟t know before. When they ask you a question, they are indicating that they want to
know.
Always respect the questioner, even if you do not like the
question or the manner in which it is posed.
Don't feel offended if someone asks you a question that you feel you already answered in your presentation or a previous
question, they may not have heard or understood the
information previously presented.
Honesty is the best policy, if you don't know the answer to
something, admit it - you can offer to get in contact the person later with an answer
Don‟t panic if there are no questions to answer! Sometimes
audiences feel that you‟ve addressed all their questions and don‟t need additional information. That‟s good, believe me! It
means your speech was effective. If there are no questions, simply close your speech and leave the stage.
You can prompt your audience toward asking questions during a
Q and A session.
Change your wording. Ask, “WHAT” questions do you have rather than “DO” you have any questions. When you use the word
“what”, you have changed the question from a closed-ended question to an open-ended question. This will automatically let the audience
know that you assume they have questions to ask.
Pause after you ask the question. Give folks time to think. The
pause will also assure them that you really want them to ask a question.
Be mindful of any conflicting body language like looking at your
watch, or sorting your stack of notes after you have asked the question. This will give a mixed message. It will imply that although
you have asked the audience for questions you really do not have time
to answer them.
If all else fails, reward the person who asks the first question. Come prepared with an incentive to give people who ask a question
during certain parts of your program. This works very well in the afternoons when more energy and interaction is demanded.
Overall, if people know that you are sincere in your desire to respond to their questions -they will ask them. Give it a try.
There‟s nothing more boring than a speaker who just stands
there and recites what he or she has written.
MOVEMENT AND GESTURES
When delivering a speech, you must move around the stage.
Don‟t just stand behind the podium. In fact, you may not even want
to have a podium on stage with you. Removing the temptation will keep you from using it.
Don‟t fidget and don‟t sway from side to side. Walk slowly but with purpose. Gesturing with your hands is also good but make them fit with your delivery. The audience will know if you‟re gesturing just
to move your hands. Do it with purpose, but make sure it‟s natural!
When it comes to gesturing, keep movements above the waist;
be slow; be varied and by all means be accurate (never hold up four fingers when you're giving three reasons!).
Don't be afraid to occasionally rest your arms. Gestures should never be applied -- they should be spontaneous to reinforce the message. At times, rest arms by your side and, remember, practice
makes perfect. Refine your gestures until they're second nature.
Open up your arms to the size of the audience. Embrace your
audience. Keep your arms between your waist and shoulders.
When you‟re not using your arms, drop them at your side. If you can feel your fingertips at your thighs, that's a good measure of where
you arms would be when you're not making an active point.
Avoid quick and jerky gestures. They may make you appear nervous. Hold your gestures longer than you would in normal
conversation.
Vary gestures. Switch from hand to hand, and at others times
use both or no hands.
Use gestures to reinforce a message or make a point. If making three points, don't hold up four fingers!
Keep hands open and fingers together. Avoid pointing a finger,
and fists may convey a threatening message.
Vary your approach until you find what works best for you. Then
use those gestures, refine them until they come naturally to you, and
add to them as you come across others that work as well or better.
As we‟ve said, you need to move about the stage during your presentation. Why move in the first place?
Moving forces people to focus and follow you. The way you walk
from your seat to the speaker's position is very important. When you are introduced, you should appear eager to speak. Too many speakers
look as though they are heading toward execution.
Walk confidently from your seat to the lectern if there is one.
Pause there for a few seconds, and then move out from behind the lectern. As discussed before, it is wise to use the lectern as a point of
departure, and not a barrier to hide behind.
Smile before you say your first words. Be careful not to stand too close to, nor move beyond, the people in the front row. Be careful
not to walk too much. Doing so will work against you.
Continuous pacing is distracting. Walking can be an effective way to stress an important idea. It is essential that your walk be purposeful
and intentional, not just a random shift of position. Taking about three
steps, moving at a shallow angle, usually works best.
When employing visual aids, you should use three positions. One position is your "home" position and should be front and center.
The other two positions should be relatively near the "home" position. Never stand in front of any visual aid.
When you practice your speaking, make sure you also practice
your walking patterns. Try walking to and from your three positions. These positions should be planned just as your hand gestures are.
When standing still, remember to maintain good posture. Stand
up straight.
Remember it's not what you say it's how you say it and your
body does speak very loudly. It's only when you marry your verbal message and you nonverbal message does a speaker begin to
command presence.
There actually is a wrong way to speak when delivering a speech.
BROADCASTING VERSUS
CONVERSATION
We‟ve been influenced by the media to “broadcast” when we
give a speech: to speak like a newscaster or reporter. Now, this form of communication isn‟t bad in any way, it‟s just a style not suited for
giving speeches. Giving speeches in a “broadcast” format is an instant turn off to audience members. Why?
Because they feel that they as an individual are not important.
You are just “broadcasting” your message to the whole. In their eyes, you don‟t care about them as an individual.
The majority of people tend to go into “broadcast mode” when giving a speech and the audience members groan inside thinking “not
this type of speech again”.
When giving your speech, speak as if you were talking to a friend. This will give the impression that you are talking to each
individual audience member, on a very personal level. This will hold
their interest in you and your speech because they feel you are talking to them personally.
For example, let‟s say your speech is “Why Berries are the Best
Antioxidant Fruits”
Right before the first words come out of your mouth when you
give your speech, picture your best friend in the front row asking YOU, “Hey (insert your name), why are berries the best antioxidant fruits?”
Answer him like you would in the tone of a normal conversation in your speech to get that conversational tone effect.
Also, make individual eye contact with one person while
speaking in that conversational tone and then move on to the next person and make eye contact with them and repeat this process. This
will further enhance your speech.
To help you better understand the difference between
Broadcasting and the Conversational tone, let‟s see how the opening lines of the same speech are like according to these two styles.
Broadcasting:
“Numerous scientific studies have shown that berries contain a
high level of anti oxidants, more so than any other fruit. They attribute this unique quality to the ……” Snooze! the audience shuts
down mentally as they realize it‟s just another broadcast.
Conversational:
“When I heard berries were the best antioxidant fruits, two
questions came to mind. What the heck is an antioxidant, and why should I care about the berries that have them? I bet you thought
that too.
Well, I did a little research and came up with some answers. It
seems an antioxidant is like a cancer fighting machine. It‟s sort of like …… The audience‟s ears perk up right from the start because they
sense this is no ordinary (aka broadcast) speech. This speaker is talking to them on an individual level because of the conversational
tone of the speech so they listen accordingly.
Trust me; the vast majority of people give speeches in broadcast mode. Remember your high school‟s valedictorian speech? They do
this without even realizing it, and without knowing that it kind of shuts people‟s minds off the instance they detect it, unless they are really,
really, really interested in what you have to say.
Kill the broadcast. Open up the conversation and invite the
audience in.
Sometimes, we may be so eager to get our message across that we speak faster than a high school girl sitting with her friends on a
lunch table with the juiciest piece of gossip to hit the school in weeks.
When you speak, let it land. Pause after each sentence. Let it
sink in. Look at the audience to gauge whether you are speaking too fast. You know just as well as I do that if you have to keep up your
comprehension with the speaker‟s fast rate of speech, you‟ll switch off and forget about it, as it is way too much work.
Try using positive visualization. Yes you‟ve heard about this as well. Every book, teacher, and speaker recommends this practice and
you know why? It‟s because it works.
Get a layout of the place where you will be giving your speech.
Stand on stage and picture the audience. Visualize yourself giving THAT ONE great speech, nailing it, and having the audience give you
thunderous applauses and genuine comments afterward.
Envision it constantly and feel the joy, hear the applause, see yourself in your eyes giving the speech, feeling the confidence, laying
out the simple points and examples, seeing their heads nod in understanding and agreement, etc. You will find that your
visualizations will come true.
In fact, there are four basic aspects of public speaking that can
help insure your success.
THE FOUR C’S
Mastering the art of public speaking can be difficult with a lot to learn in a seemingly never-ending list of do‟s and don‟ts. But
becoming a great speaker isn‟t all that difficult. Just adhere to the four C‟s.
Confidence
Confidence is a state of mind which makes a person believe in himself or herself and at the same time, respects other‟s abilities.
When it comes to public speaking, confidence parts into two.
The first one is your off-stage confidence, which you have to develop. This can be developed with self-belief and support. There are
other ways of doing this like your practice which makes you confident,
But self-belief is what sets the criterion. When you are in a
competition or any place where you have to impress or excel anybody, your composure is the key. Listen to other‟s speeches, the ones you
want to surpass. There may be some flaws in their speech that you can mend in yours. But don‟t let a good speech spoil your composure.
Keep in mind an impression, “THIS IS GOOD. MINE WILL BE BETTER”
The next part is on-stage confidence. When you are on the stage,
your confidence is reflected on your face. Nervousness will settle in a
matter of time. So don‟t consider nervousness as a major factor. In fact, you will feel nervous for the first 30 or so speeches and then it
will ebb.
One way of gaining your on stage confidence is, you can realize the fact that the next few minutes belong to you and that whatever
you say, everyone should listen. This would loosen up some nerves for sure.
The other way is to think or see others as „dolls‟. I would recommend this only if you are finding it very difficult to deliver a
speech because when you do so, it will take away your fear of the people before you.
But this is only for beginners and also especially for late beginners who are afraid to speak before a mass. In normal, if you do so, you are not going to play with their minds, which is the essence of
public speaking. Confidence can also be earned from friends who can
appreciate you on your effort. Exaggeration, in this case only leads to your improvement. So, have friends who can encourage.
Clarity
The second „C‟, is Clarity. Again this can be divided into two.
One is the clarity in idea and the other is the clarity in speech. Of these two, the clarity of idea is more vital.
You can say anything clearly but your ideas must be distinct and
simple. You can always borrow ideas from others but they cannot be as good as your own ones. Also, if you have a topic on hand, you must
analyze that topic; have a view from every angle.
Try to be correct in all aspects. You should not give any wrong ideas or information to the listeners. Also you must believe in your
idea or point of view and involve in it. Your involvement will make the speech more attractive. There is no point in selecting a topic which you
don‟t believe and trying to talk for it.
The next clarity is clarity in speech. Your invaluable ideas should
be backed by your speech. Your tone must be commanding and modulated. Every sentence has its own effect on the listeners.
Your aim is to get to the mind of your listeners. Powerful statements should be delivered powerfully. You must have the courage
and character towards expressing your thoughts on a particular topic. Powerful statements never fail to make an impact when they are
delivered clearly and with perfect modulation.
Apart from all these, your speech will be more effective if it is slow and steady. This gives the listeners the time to grasp your
thoughts and digest them. Simplicity is another important thing. Keep your speech as simple as possible. It should reach everybody.
Commitment
The next is commitment you show towards your speech. It is not a relative aspect but a broader one. It is not concerned about any
particular speech. It‟s about your preparations for any speech.
You have to listen to many speeches. By „listening‟, I mean, you should see the intricate details of another‟s speech: their modulation,
use of language, humor, body language etc. Take off your shame if you have any because, you should not be ashamed.
Not every one who is listening can deliver a speech. This view
comes from the commitment that you show and the efforts you take. If possible, recite your speech in front of a mirror. It will work like a
dream.
Preparation is also a form of commitment you show. It need not
be paper work only. It can be from your heart and brain duo also. But one advantage of having it on paper is that you will not miss any
point. In some cases, missing a point can prove to be lethal.
Next, dress yourself for the occasion. Your dressing will definitely reflect your confidence. Work on your style of speaking. You can
change your modulation or your tone. You should be unique so that you can be identified by your tone itself. For this, the shortcut is
“PRACTICE” and “PRACTICE HARD”
Command
The final C is to have a command over the language. Language is very important in public speaking. Command over a language can be
acquired by reading books or seeing films.
Command means familiarity of the language. This requires listening, observation and use. Learn the different usage of the
language. Learning as much as you can about every aspect of the language will help you a lot.
Books will improve your vocabulary while movies will improve
your usage. Different words for the same essence should be in your mind. You should be able to dispatch Command over language is easy
and interesting to acquire.
You could add a fifth C in the form of comedy. A sense of humor can make you much more likable and make them look up to you. This
will help them listen more intently to what you have to say. As we‟ve said throughout this book, though, be sure that what you are saying is
funny. Bad use of humor can cause you to bomb quickly.
Now let‟s look at effective ways to use your voice during delivery.
FINDING THE RIGHT VOICE
Speaking well can have a dramatic effect on your professional
and private life. You may not realize how important the sound of your voice is, or how much you yourself judge other people by the way they
sound. It is true that the impression you make on others often owes much more to how you speak - the pitch and expressiveness and
clarity of your voice, for example - than to what you actually say.
Some people say your voice is your voice and there‟s nothing you can do to change it. That‟s not necessarily true. You can practice
speaking from your diaphragm and changing the intonation and
inflection that comes naturally. If British actors can adapt an English accent, you can change your voice somewhat if you really try.
Here are some things for you to consider while you are practicing
your speech. Pay attention to them and implement them before
speaking so they come naturally.
POSTURE If your posture is poor, you will represent a poor image of
yourself. Good posture is the natural alignment of the body. When sitting, you should be able to draw a straight line from the ear to the
shoulder to the hipbone, and if you are standing, from the hip down to the knee. The act of clenching your fist can stifle your voice, so it is
essential that you be calm and relaxed at all times.
CONTROL YOUR BREATHING
Breath is the source of energy of voice and speech. A few don‟ts:
First, don‟t take a deep breath before starting a speech, your instinct will be to hold your breath.
Conversely, a voice underpowered by drawing too little breath
would tend to come across as excessively quiet.
Uncontrolled breathing an also affect your ability to communicate; your message will pale beside the jerky style of your
delivery. Well-controlled breathing can bring stress under control. Breathing exercises help develop your voice control.
PACE, PAUSE AND RHYTHM
The way you breathe adversely affects your pace and rhythm. By
drawing in large amounts of oxygen into the lower half of your lungs, you will not need to pause for breath so often.
Keep a steady flow of words; a continuous chatter or a slow,
ponderous speech may be extremely annoying. Pausing at natural breaks i.e. punctuation, will give you a moment to think about what
you are going to say next.
INTONATION AND EMPHASIS
Every voice has a natural middle note. Some speakers pitch their
voices too high or too low due to tension. Learn to identify and adapt your middle note, you will sound most natural. Practice using pitch to
reflect the emotional content of your speech.
The placing of an emphasis - the amount of stress put in a
syllable - often affects the meaning of a sentence. For instance, bring down your hand only on words that need emphasizing. Caution
yourself against exaggerated actions.
PRONUNCIATION Faulty pronunciation stems more commonly from bad habits of
the speech organs rather than malformation or malfunctioning. A person‟s accent, really a whole set of speaking habits, often marks him
out as a ‟faulty‟ speaker.
There are many words having two or more pronunciations. Some
people suffer a crisis of confidence when faced with the choice and instead switch to a different -often a far less appropriate one. In order
to avoid this embarrassment, consult a good dictionary for guidance and you can speak confidently the next time. Remember, only practice
makes you perfect.
EFFECTIVE DELIVERY
To make an impact on an audience, clear structure and well-
judged content need to be matched by effective delivery. Try to look at your audience most of the time. Good speakers always communicate
an element of spontaneity. Use short sentences and simple language. Check that you are making your points crisply.
Make a tape of yourself giving your speech then listen to it
critically. Make notes of where you can change your voice to better get your point across then pencil that into your notes.
Tape recording your speech can also help you identify weak
spots and places where you may need improvement. Now, we know that most people hate the sound of their voices on taped recordings,
but remember that we hear our own voices differently than other people do. Just look for places where you can improve rather than
concentrating on the whole picture. Pick out pieces and the whole will come together quite nicely!
Many times, audiences will listen to the first two or three
minutes of your speech before deciding whether or not they want to listen further. It‟s sad, but it‟s true. That‟s why first impressions are
so important.
MAKING A GOOD FIRST
IMPRESSION The old saying goes, “You only get one chance to make a first
impression.” This is very true. People judge each other on what they see first no matter what. Yes, you can possibly still win them over,
but you‟ll have to try harder and why would you want to do that?
Start out with a bang and win over your audience from your first
word. How do you do that? It‟s not as difficult as you think.
We‟ve already touched on your appearance, but this is the most deciding factor audiences look at because it‟s the first thing they see.
You‟ll want your appearance to be the very best it can be.
As we‟ve said, dress like your audience. Make sure your clothing is tasteful and understated. You want them to concentrate on what
you have to say, not what you‟re wearing.
Avoid overly bright colors and excessive jewelry. They will draw attention away from your speech and will be distracting to the
audience. Avoid jewelry that might make noise when you move. Also be sure your pockets are empty of items that might be distracting.
Be sure your clothing is clean and pressed with no wrinkles. I have been to several speeches where there was something miniscule
wrong with the speaker‟s clothes and found myself concentrating on that more than anything else. It can be difficult to draw your eyes
away from this flaw, so don‟t let any be visible.
Make sure your clothes fit you well, but not too well! You don‟t want anything too tight or too short. Clothes that fit you poorly
project the impression of sloppiness and that‟s a sure kiss of death when you are giving a speech. People won‟t take you seriously and
that is your ultimate goal!
Keep your head held high, looking people in the eye at all times.
Always hold your gaze a second longer if you happen to make eye contact. Never look down and away if someone addresses you or is the
slightest bit intimidating. This is a sign of weakness. Pay attention to this, and eliminate this negative habit.
Pay attention to your voice. Do you stutter in situations where
there is the slightest bit of pressure? Or do you project a confident tone delivered slowly and smoothly. A weak voice is a certain sign of
low self-esteem. Speak up and make yourself heard!
When making a first impression, remember to smile. This helps your vibe become friendly, confident and approachable. People are
more likely to want to talk to you if they sense they will be received well.
Focus on speaking at a moderate pace, with a well-modulated voice. Do not be afraid to enunciate properly. Using proper grammar
when speaking and avoiding slang is expected if you are to make a good first impression. Remember, if people can't comprehend what
you are saying, they will disregard you and your organization. Furthermore, be polite and courteous at all times.
The greatest way to make a positive first impression is to demonstrate immediately that the audience, not you, is the center of
action and conversation. Illustrate that the spotlight is on you only, and you'll miss opportunities Show that you are other-centered, and
they‟ll be more eager to hear what you are saying.
You‟ll most likely be introduced by someone. While people are clapping furiously for you, stroll on stage with confidence and purpose.
Then acknowledge their applause and begin your speech.
Part of the first impression you give occurs even before you are introduced to deliver your speech. As the audience arrives, your
preparation should be concluded. You shouldn't have to study your speech. Instead, mingle with the audience, and project that same
friendly, confident attitude that will make your speech a success.
When you speak-especially if you aren't well known to the
audience-the most crucial part of your presentation is the first few minutes. During that initial segment, the audience will be making
critical judgments about you.
Your listeners will decide whether you are confident, sincere,
friendly, eager to address them and worthy of their attention. In large measure, they will base this decision on what they see. After your
introduction, walk purposefully and confidently to the speaking position.
As you start speaking, don‟t just burst out with your words.
Maintain the same voice level you will use throughout your speech, but be sure it is dynamic enough to get and hold your audience‟s
attention.
There may be times when you are called upon to make an impromptu speech. Don‟t panic! It can be done!
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING
While many of us do not like to speak in front of people, there
are times when we are asked to get up and say a few words about someone or a topic when we have not planned on saying anything at
all. We are more shocked than anyone else. Has this ever happened to you?
If and when this does happen to you, be prepared to rise to the
challenge. Below are some tips you can use the next time you are called on to speak. Take note that the following tips are also great
ones to follow when giving a prepared speech too!
Decide quickly what your one message will be. Keep in mind
you have not been asked to give a speech but to make some impromptu remarks. Hopefully they have asked you early enough so
you can at least jot down a few notes before you speak. If not, pick ONE message or comment and focus on that one main idea. Many
times, other ideas may come to you after you start speaking. If this happens, go with the flow and trust your instincts
Do not try and memorize what you will say. Trying to memorize
will only make you more nervous and you will find yourself thinking more about the words and not about the message.
Start off strong and with confidence. If you at least plan your
opening statement, this will get you started on the right foot. After all, just like with any formal speech, getting stared is the most difficult.
Plan what your first sentence will be. You may even write this
opening line down on your note card and glance at it one more time just before you begin speaking. If you know you have three points or
ideas to say, just start off simple by saying, "I would just like to talk about 3 points". The first point is... the second point is... and so on
Decide on your transitions from one point to the other. After
you have decided on your opening remark or line, come up with a simple transition statement that takes you to your main point.
If you have more than one point to make, you can use a natural
transition such as, "My second point is... or my next point is..." etc.
Just list on a note card or napkin what the main points or ideas will be. Do not write out the exact words, but just the points you want to
mention.
Maintain eye contact with the audience. This is easier to do if you do not write down all kinds of stuff to read. Look down at your
next idea or thought and maintain eye contact with your audience and speak from your heart. Focus on communicating TO your audience and
not speaking AT the crowd
Occasionally throw in an off-the-cuff remark. Because you want your style to be flexible and seem impromptu, trust your instinct and
add a few words which just pop into your head. Keep it conversational and think of the audience as a group of your friends.
Finally, have a good conclusion. Gracefully just state, "And the last point I would like to make is..." Once you have made your last
point, you can then turn control back to the person who asked you to speak in the first place.
With a little practice, this process will feel more natural to you.
Anticipating that you MAY be asked to say a few words should force you to at least think about what you might say if you are asked. Then
if you ARE asked, you are better prepared because you anticipated being asked. This is much better than thinking they won't ask you and
they actually do!
What else do you need to know? Not much really. But, we do
have some additional tips to offer.
IN GENERAL Public speaking isn‟t a death sentence. It‟s a chance for you to
tell other people something you know about and have a passion for.
As we‟ve said, even if you don‟t have a passion for your topic, act like you do. That can make the biggest difference of all!
Be yourself during your speech. You are most effective when
you are able to be yourself with the group. You may want to spend some time before you speak getting in touch with how you feel when
you feel most yourself. Remembering how we feel at those times can often help us feel that way again.
Many of us think we will be "OK" if we do a good job and please
the audience. What is more likely to make us feel OK is to be who we are. This is also most likely to create a good connection with the
audience.
You don‟t need to be afraid of silence. Silences can help us
center ourselves and give time for the audience to settle in. Silences can allow time for us to find the words to say. Silences can give the
audience time to absorb what you have said. Silences can create emphasis and impact.
Pause for several seconds before you begin speaking, making
eye contact with two or three people before you begin. Take a breath or two and let yourself feel your feet connecting to the floor. You may
want to consciously "open your heart" to the audience before you begin.
Instead of feeling you have to give the audience something,
focus more on receiving their support. Paradoxically, if you are extremely nervous before you begin, focus on putting your audience at
ease.
You must focus on getting rid of distracting body language and
mannerisms. Some common faults of inexperienced and ineffective speakers are:
Gripping or leaning on the lectern
Finger tapping Lip biting or licking
Toying with coins or jewelry Frowning
Adjusting hair or clothing Head wagging
These have two things in common. First, they are physical
manifestations of simple nervousness and they are performed unconsciously. This is why you need to make yourself aware of what
you are doing while speaking.
When you make a verbal mistake, you can easily correct it,
because you can hear your own words, but you can't see yourself, so most distracting mannerisms go uncorrected. You can't eliminate them
unless you know they exist. So, you should videotape yourself.
After you have made a tape, watch it with a critical eye. The
first step in eliminating any superfluous behavior is to obtain an accurate perception of your body's image. This should include:
Posture
Gestures
Body movement
Facial expressions
Eye contact
The next step is to free yourself of physical behaviors that do
not add to your speech. This can be accomplished by simply becoming aware of your problem areas. After you have videotaped yourself
speaking, review the tape several times and make a list of all the distracting mannerisms you notice.
Review your tape the first time without looking for mannerisms.
Just listen to the presentation as if you were hearing it for the first
time and evaluate the overall impact you experience from watching the tape.
Review your tape a second time (with the volume turned down)
and look for visual distractions. Take notes on what you observe.
During a third review, have the picture turned off and listen only to your voice. Many people have never even heard a taping of their
own voice before. Become accustomed to listening to your voice. Get to know it as others hear it. Note what you like and what you don't
like. Pay attention to the speed, the volume, and the tone of your voice.
Once you have made lists both of your distracting mannerisms
and your more positive points, you are ready to have one or two family members watch the tape with you. Get their initial impression.
Ask them to be honest.
After you have completed these reviews, go over the list of all
the distracting mannerisms you saw and heard. The next time you are having a conversation with someone you know well, try to notice
whether you use any of these distracting mannerisms even in casual circumstances. Tackle each of your negative points one at a time.
We did tell you the best way to build self-confidence is to be
yourself. This is very true and stands to be repeated.
The most important rule for making your body communicate effectively is to be yourself. The emphasis should be on the sharing of
ideas, not on the performance.
Strive to be as genuine and natural as you are when you speak
to family members and friends.
Many people say, "I'm okay in a small group, but when I get in front of a larger group I freeze." The only difference between speaking
to a small informal group and to a sizable audience is the number of listeners.
To compensate for this, you need only to amplify your natural
behavior. Be authentically yourself, but amplify your movements and expressions just enough so that the audience can see them.
Effective communicators let their bodies mirror their feelings.
That‟s why it‟s important to “fall in love” with your subject matter
because if you‟re bored by the topic, it will show through your body language whether intentional or not.
If you are interested in your subject, truly believe what you are saying, and want to share your message with others, your physical
movements will come from within you and will be appropriate to what you are saying.
By involving yourself in your message, you'll be natural and
spontaneous without having to consciously think about what you are doing or saying. For many of us, this isn't as easy as it sounds because
it requires us to drop the mask that shields the "real self" in public.
To become an effective speaker, it is essential that you get rid of your mask and share your true feelings with your audience. Your
audience wants to know how you feel about your subject. If you want to convince others, you must convey your convictions.
Speak from the heart and to the soul.
If you are prepared, your self-confidence will rise proportionally. Being fully prepared is the best way to insure your success as a public
speaker.
Nothing influences a speaker's mental attitude more than the knowledge that he or she is thoroughly prepared. This knowledge
leads to self-confidence, which is a vital ingredient of effective public speaking.
How many of us have ever experienced a situation in which we
had not prepared well for a presentation? How did we come across? On the other hand, think of those presentations that did go well. These
are the ones that we had properly prepared for.
Whenever you speak to people, make an extra effort to notice
how you speak. Observe, too, whether the facial expressions of your listeners indicate they do or do not understand what you are saying.
Another great way to build your self-confidence and preparation
is to prepare a 90-second presentation about yourself. Describe who you are and what you do. Record your presentation and review it using
the four steps described in the videotaping segment.
Since you are talking about yourself, you don't need to research the topic; however, you do need to prepare what you are going to say
and how you are going to say it. Plan everything including your
gestures and walking patterns.
Use facial expressions wisely. Leave that deadpan expression to poker players. A speaker realizes that appropriate facial expressions
are an important part of effective communication. In fact, facial expressions are often the key determinant of the meaning behind the
message.
People watch a speaker's face during a presentation. When you speak, your face-more clearly than any other part of your body-
communicates to others your attitudes, feelings, and emotions. Remove expressions that don't belong on your face.
Inappropriate expressions include distracting mannerisms or
unconscious expressions not rooted in your feelings, attitudes and
emotions. In much the same way that some speakers perform random, distracting gestures and body movements, nervous speakers
often release excess energy and tension by unconsciously moving their facial muscles (e.g., licking lips, tightening the jaw).
One type of unconscious facial movement which is less apt to be
read clearly by an audience is involuntary frowning. This type of frowning occurs when a speaker attempts to deliver a memorized
speech.
There are no rules governing the use of specific expressions. If you relax your inhibitions and allow yourself to respond naturally to
your thoughts, attitudes and emotions, your facial expressions will be appropriate and will project sincerity, conviction, and credibility.
The last section we have for you to consider is that of self-assessment.
JUDGING YOUR OWN
PERFORMANCE
No matter how much applause or great feedback we get, the truth is that the only opinion that really counts is our own. While it's
the meeting planner or conference organizer who pays us, invites us
back or refers us to others, we're still sometimes stuck with the weight of our own opinions.
And as speakers, we're often really tough on ourselves. While
there may be some among us who suffer from delusions of grandeur, there are far more speakers who suffer from delusions of
insignificance.
We often go over our past performances with a very critical eye.
The truth is, we can't be objective about ourselves on the platform - the way we view our abilities depends on how clear our vision is.
For many, it's clouded by misperceptions that end up holding us
back. But how do we know whether our vision is clear or not?
Here's an assessment form that helps make any critique more
objective and tells speakers what areas of speaking they might need to work on.
In a field where there are few tools to measure progress or to
determine problem areas, this assessment is an invaluable guide to determining exactly where one's natural talents lie and where one
needs to polish and practice
Check off any area that you feel you need to work on. Put a star
next to any item that you feel you've mastered.
______ Build rapport with organizer
______ Submit professionally designed material
______ Build rapport with audience
______ Dynamic opening that captures audience attention
______ Well-paced and smooth
______ Well-modulated voice
______ Gripping material that holds audience attention
______ Well-practiced speech based on stories and acted with
spontaneity rather than read or memorized
______ Authentic and personal use of humor, stories, and material
(no borrowed stories or unattributed quotes)
______ Fresh material
______ Genuine closing that touches or motivates audience members
______ Demonstrated professionalism
______ Appearance neat and clean
CONCLUSION
When you are called on to give a speech, it is a great honor for
you both professionally and personally. While you may be initially afraid, start looking at speaking before an audience as an opportunity
rather than a burden.
It‟s up to you to take steps to learn how to both prepare your speech and deliver it so that you will be enhancing your audience‟s
time rather than wasting it. Consider the following:
Mark Twain once attended a meeting at which one of the
speakers was raising money. Twain, deeming the cause to be a worthy one, decided to donate $100. As the speaker droned on, however, he
decided to cut his contribution in half.
With no end in sight, Twain cut his intended offer again, to $10. At last, the speaker finished and the collection basket was passed
around...
Twain's contribution? When the basket finally reached him, he
removed a dollar and passed it along!
Take these tips and put them to use. Great public speakers aren‟t born overnight. They are born through experience along with
trial and error. When you find something that works for you, hold on to it and put it to use over and over again.
There‟s nothing quite as wonderful as the sound of an audience
clapping for you after you‟ve delivered a great speech. Take what you know and put your heart into it. Then share it with others.
Success is up to you. Be successful and enjoy the ride!
The following websites were referenced in researching this book:
www.ezinearticles.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.presentationpointers.com
www.speechtips.com