Public speaking … Oh The Joy! 6/23/2018 Public speaking … Oh The Joy! Rania Masri ... rania.masri@balamand.edu.lb

You already know… What are the traits of a good public speaker – in your opinion? Your experiences in public speaking?

Where to start? The usual way The reinvention Choose a thesis Organize your main points Devise arguments to support your thesis The reinvention Decide what you want your audience to do Assemble the information they must have in order to do it Interpret the information in such a way that they are persuaded to do it

Writing the talk: what to write first? The Body Information + information = 0 What is missing? Connections! Patterns Problem and solution Chronological order Good news – bad news Extended metaphor

More on The Body: Tactics Statistics Personal examples Humor Questions Examples Quotes Suspense

Now to The Introduction Introduce yourself – if no one else introduces you Focus: State clearly and directly what issue you’ll be addressing Explain how you’ll address it Convince the audience that they should care How? Do it creatively and succinctly

… The Conclusion End with your most persuasive material – the climax Dilute your message: what is the ‘take home’ message? Prepare it carefully.

Writing with style Language Visuals Approximate the way you talk Simplicity is the key. Use short, clear sentences Banish the passive voice Visuals Remember: “A special effect is a tool, a mans of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing.” (George Lucas, Star Wars)

If you want to use visuals… DO: Develop them with your script Use readable font (not this) Use dark font for letters Use images and colors to keep attention and emphasize points Have less than 10 lines per slide and less than 10 words per line Make sure figures are legible …

More on visuals… Avoid distracting designs Avoid distracting backgrounds Who can read this chart?

Editing. Editing. Editing. Does the speech have a clear objective? Is the speech oriented to the needs of the audience? Is it the right length? Is it clear? Does the introduction grab the audience’s attention? Are there any extraneous parts? Is the language simple, clear, active, and appropriate to the context? Does the body of the speech build to a climax? Is the information verifiably accurate?

Now to rehearsals Exploration and Discovery Some exercises Practicing Silence: Start-stop exercise Connecting Words: The what? Exercise Good news – Bad news

More rehearsals Relaxed body Directed movement Posture The eyes have it ….

Your vocal instrument Make peace with your voice Project your voice Breath … breath correctly Be aware of: DWIP UWIP

(almost) Finally Stage fright? Listen to the fear… and deconstruct it Now: foster a constructive inner monologue Physically relax Remember: most symptoms of stage fright are completely undetectable by the audience

Ready for Practice?