Decisions The next set of slides is to review the decisions that you need to make to create an effective public speaking event.

1. Analyze your Audience Who are the key members? How much do they know? What do they want to know? What are their personal preferences? Which demographic characteristics are significant? What is the size of the group? What are the listeners attitudes? Be audience-centered. By now, you are familiar with this concept. Take time to learn to apply the communication principle.

2. Consider the Environment Location & room layout (lectern) How will your voice carry in the room? Technology & visuals aids & lighting Time limits Notes The physical environment impacts the speaking event. The size of the room, the available technology, lighting, etc. Do your best to have advance knowledge of the event in order to create a positive easy experience. One particular speaking event comes to mind every time I think or talk about creating an effective environment. I was set to present a software module in a local computer lab, and since it was local, I decided to practice there instead of at home. When I went to that facility, the computers in that lab would not demonstrate the software well. I was in a problem. After 6 hours of unsuccessful attempts to make the software work, I went back home and redid the presentation knowing at what point it would fail. Knowing this problem in advance helped me create a far better learning experience. Control your environment the best you can.

3. Introduction – Bring them present (hook) 10-15% of the total speaking time. Story Humor (Be careful!) Question Sample (Be careful!) Startling statistic Quote Refer to audience : “We’re here today to…” Refer to the occasion: “I know your all worried about the rumors of cutbacks in staff. I called this meeting to…” The introduction is the most important. You loose them up front – they are lost the entire talk. I spend about 45% of my practice on an introduction. Use Speech Planning Document to help construct your speech. It’s a template where you can fill in the blank. It’s helps you with organization and transitioning. Your opening is to get their attention. You task is to choose a introduction that brings them present – brings them to the moment. You can use a story, a question, a statistic, and quote perhaps. It doesn’t need to be dramatic, it just is to bring the audience to you. Be careful if you choose humor, as not everyone thinks the same thing is funny, and be careful with sample as the audience’s attention will be drawn to the sample and away from you – the speaker. Above all, be relevant. Make sure your opening is 100% to your point. Off point is confusing to the audience.

4. Body - What to say - Content Relate to audience needs Tell a story Anticipate their questions Use clear, vivid language Ask questions/ Ask for opinions Ask for opinions Pause – use silence Give them something to do No more than 5 points. Each point is one idea. Stay on topic – each to support the thesis. You are used to in your academic career focusing on content, but guess what, it’s the least remembered. Work to make your topics interesting. Add stories. Give them something to do, if you can. Be sure to limit the number of main points – the recommended number is up to 5 points. And, remember to transition between points. Transitioning is speaking is like punctuation in writing.

5. Conclusion – Be memorable 5-10% of the speaking time Restate your main points Describe the next steps Ending on a strong and positive note Connect back to your introduction End with a challenge End with a quote, question, startling statement, refer of audience, refer to occasion, humor. End with a ‘call to action’ The conclusion is to be short – maybe a recap or a call to action, etc. Leave the audience remembering you on a positive note.