Being a Great Public Speaker- Oh, the Irony

Man, speaking is tough It’s easier to speak to a large group than just a few people It’s easier to speak to a large group than just a few people Small group- Informal, rapport Small group- Informal, rapport Large group- Formal, no personal expectation Large group- Formal, no personal expectation It’s harder to speak to friends than to strangers. It’s harder to speak to friends than to strangers. Friends know you and pass judgment Friends know you and pass judgment Strangers don’t base your speech on a relationship Strangers don’t base your speech on a relationship

What’s the meaning of this? Move people to action Move people to action Construct speech with a goal in mind Construct speech with a goal in mind Tell your listeners what action to take; don’t be vague Tell your listeners what action to take; don’t be vague Create a mood Create a mood Content is secondary to mood; determination, faith, outrage, etc. Content is secondary to mood; determination, faith, outrage, etc. Speaking is always emotional Speaking is always emotional *Speak for reaction and result*

Prep before pep Research the audience: How are we similar? How are we different? Research the audience: How are we similar? How are we different? Appropriate language Appropriate language Appropriate humor Appropriate humor Factual information Factual information Life experience of audience Life experience of audience Geographic location Geographic location Age Age Organizational structure Organizational structure Program details: What is your unique contribution? Program details: What is your unique contribution?

Get out those reading glasses… Researching and writing are not the same steps Researching and writing are not the same steps Speech is not written word read aloud Speech is not written word read aloud Two to three essential points only Two to three essential points only Research organization Research organization Research audience Research audience

Just Do It Beginning Half Page Beginning Half Pagea)b) Middle Two to Three Pages Middle Two to Three Pagesa)b) 3) End One Page a)b) c) Closing Half Page

Unwritten rules of the road… uh, speech Time your double-spaced page Time your double-spaced page Re-write second draft; don’t merely edit Re-write second draft; don’t merely edit Use quotes Use quotes Be brief Be brief Use style to paint a picture, relate to humanity Use style to paint a picture, relate to humanity Use humor Use humor Play with target’s name Play with target’s name Word games, quotes Word games, quotes Informality Informality Storytelling Storytelling Share your personal story, be believable Share your personal story, be believable

On your way to the delivery room Decide how you will give the speech; memorized, with numbered note cards, highlighted portions Decide how you will give the speech; memorized, with numbered note cards, highlighted portions Practice! Practice! Use a recorder Use a recorder Listen for timing, volume Listen for timing, volume Look at the audience Look at the audience Use mirror and mock podium Use mirror and mock podium Use gestures Use gestures Make notes in the margin Make notes in the margin Arrive early and test mic, lighting Arrive early and test mic, lighting

It’s a 2-way street, people Large groups should be as involved as you are Large groups should be as involved as you are Emphasize certain points for applause Emphasize certain points for applause Humor Humor Talk-backs Talk-backs Small groups should feel more like a conversation Small groups should feel more like a conversation Introductions, question as ice breaker Introductions, question as ice breaker Ask questions throughout Ask questions throughout

Gettin’ it done Introduction Introduction Make it warm Make it warm Write something about yourself Write something about yourself Add if necessary Add if necessary The big day The big day Dress a bit more formally than attendees Dress a bit more formally than attendees Be a bit nervous Be a bit nervous Eat chocolate Eat chocolate Get there early Get there early Always stand, don’t sway Always stand, don’t sway Drink water Drink water Breath Breath Never apologize Never apologize Speak quietly to silence a room, get attention back if lost Speak quietly to silence a room, get attention back if lost You will get better with more experience You will get better with more experience