Qualities of a Good Speaker Created Especially for Miss Lawson’s Classes

How you stand or hold your body STANCE Informal Definition: How you stand or hold your body

Stance Basics Do not lock knees or stand stiffly Do not do the STORK or FLAMINGO Do not sway Do not rock Do not kick Do not lean on podium Do not cross legs Do not pace Do not dance

Don’t do any “Happy Feet” Stuff!!!

What is good STANCE??? Stand flat on your feet Stand with your feet shoulder width apart Have some movement (like walking or using your hands) but don’t pace or flail your arms like you’re helping an airplane park

Looking at your audience EYE CONTACT INFORMAL DEFINITION: Looking at your audience

Eye Contact Basics You must have it Do not read word for word from notes or power point Look at audience and support materials If possible, look at audience 100% of the time when doing your introduction and conclusion Scan your audience Avoid looking at people who will cause you problems

Avoid these common problems No Flash Eyes No Cat-Following-Laser Eyes No Bug Eyes No Staring Eyes

The look you have on your face Facial Expression Informal Definition: The look you have on your face

Facial Expression Basics No Dead Pan looks Show appropriate emotion Look confident Use your whole face

How hands and arms are used Gestures Informal definition: How hands and arms are used

Gesture Basics Keep hand and arm movements to a minimum Do not repeat the same gesture over and over Do not point. It is a rude gesture. Do not mess with stuff in your pockets

Gesture Basics Do not “white knuckle” Do not tap Do not mess with hair, face, or glasses Do not do the “fig leaf” or “choir boy or girl”

The Fig Leaf Pose

The Choir Girl or Choir Boy Pose

Don’t Go Overboard

Always point at your visual

Using variety when speaking Vocal Variety Informal definition: Using variety when speaking Aspects: Volume Pace Pitch Attitude/tone other

Volume Informal definition: How loud your voice is

Volume Basics Don’t be too loud or too soft Use variety Use a volume appropriate for your topic, setting, and audience

The speed at which you speak Pace Informal definition: The speed at which you speak

Pace Basics Do not speak too quickly or too slowly Speaking slowly may make your audience members feel like you are talking down to them Use variety Use speed appropriate to audience, topic, situation, etc.

The highness or lowness of your voice Pitch Informal definition: The highness or lowness of your voice

Pitch Basics “Ferris. Ferris. Ferris Bueller. “ Use variety Don’t speak in a monotone or one “tone” or pitched voice. It is boring and annoying Use pitch appropriate to audience and topic “Ferris. Ferris. Ferris Bueller. “

The emotion that comes through your voice Attitude/Tone Informal definition: The emotion that comes through your voice

Attitude/Tone Basics Use an attitude or tone appropriate for your topic, setting and audience Have a believable one

Attitude/Tone Basics How would you talk to them?

My favorite things…. My GREATEST hunting moment…

Other A few random pointers…

Using Accents Can help keep your speech entertaining Could make it hard for people to understand Could insult someone Could make you say something you don’t mean to say Could set you up to be criticized

Flow Speak smoothly Do not have awkward gaps Plan your breaks…

I need some help because I’m going to pass out…. Pause Use to keep attention Use to add suspense Use carefully I need some help because I’m going to pass out….

Pass out? Pass out papers or pass out as in faint and hit the floor?

Energy Have energy to keep us listening…

Language Usage Informal definition: The words you use

Language Usage Basics Know how to pronounce all of the words you will use in your speech Don’t make up pronunciations Use correct grammar Correct any errors you make while speaking Avoid slang Use appropriate language for topic, setting, and audience Use words the audience knows

“Mom, I want a pony” or “Mom, I want that Appaloosa” Vocabulary choice? Vocabulary choice?

“Put it in the dirt” or “Put in in the soil”

The level of confidence a speaker displays Poise Informal definition: The level of confidence a speaker displays

Poise Basics Shown through confident body language and eye contact Shown through good use of voice People who have good poise – Have usually practiced their speech at least 5 times Have all of their materials with them Selected a topic they are passionate about Have a good attitude

Sounds made to fill in gaps Fillers Informal definition: Sounds made to fill in gaps in speaking

Filler Basics They include sounds like: Uh Um Like Er Der Ya know Ok See They show that you are nervous They show a lack of practice

Being ready to give your speech Preparedness Informal Definition: Being ready to give your speech

Preparedness Basics Do what you are supposed to do – type, assignment, etc. Bring all of your stuff: Outline Note cards Visual Source List Practice and practice checking with time requirements

Getting your presentation in order Organization Informal definition: Getting your presentation in order

Organizational Basics Have all required parts: An intro with an attention getter, transition to thesis and thesis; body segments; and a conclusion Use an organizational pattern that fits your speech topic Evident and planned transitions showing logical organization of speech Use them between topics/sections/steps They make the speech smoother and easier to follow

Why are you giving the speech (and for a grade is not the answer Speech Purposes Informal definition: Why are you giving the speech (and for a grade is not the answer I’m looking for…)

Purposes To Inform: Explain and/or show a process The elephant How to go deer hunting The Chicago Bears Star Trek To Entertain: Make us laugh A story about getting lost in the woods A story about how to survive being a student To Persuade: Change belief or motivate to action We need to stop global warming You need to graduate

Giving credit to where your information came from Sources Informal definition: Giving credit to where your information came from

Source Basics Name the actual source: book, magazine, electronic, etc. If citing a web page, give its name not a search engine name Have a source list Always mention your sources in your speech because it makes you sound good...

Visual/Auditory Aids Informal definition: The things you bring with you to help us “see” and “Hear” parts of your speech so we understand it better

Visuals Know where you will put it during speech Do not pass it around during speech Don’t read from it word for word Be sure to practice with it Make sure that the writing on it can be seen in the back of the room Make sure it helps us get a better understanding of your topic Make sure it is appropriate Be sure that it is neatly done Be sure we have the equipment to use it and that it works

Auditory Aids Be sure we have the equipment to use it and that it works Be sure that the words are appropriate ‘Be sure that it supports your speech and helps us understand better Practice using it

Conclusion Any questions?????