Presenting an Effective Speech

Speech Structure - How to organize your speech Opening 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, or make an interesting or controversial statement,

Body The best way to set out the body of your speech is by formulating a series of points that you would like to raise. 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.

Closing 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 – End with a final thought/emotion

Delivering the Speech: Body language is important.

Speak with conviction as if you really believe in what you are saying.

Make a logical progression from: INTRODUCTION (Thesis statement) to: BODY (strong supporting arguments, accurate and up-to-date information) to: CONCLUSION (re-state thesis, summary, and logical conclusion).

Do not read from notes for any extended length of time although it is quite acceptable to glance at your notes infrequently. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident. Do not mumble. If you made an error, correct it, and continue. No need to make excuses or apologize profusely.

Maintain sincere eye contact with your audience. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience feel involved.

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. You have 5-10 minutes to present. Use the time to your advantage.

--Occasionally alter the speed, volume and tone of your delivery. --Speaking slower or faster and quieter or louder and being more cheerful or more serious all adds dramatic effect and keeps the attention of your audience.

Make a dramatic opening which seizes the attention with the very first words.

--Repetition can be very effective --Repetition can be very effective. Repeating specific, key, or though-provoking phrases or short sentences can create a long-lasting dramatic effect.

KISS (Keep it simple, silly. ) KISS (Keep it simple, silly!!). Don't try to impress with over-complicated terminology. --Use terms that you are comfortable pronouncing and defining.

Finish with a strong, affirmative statement, possibly referring back to the opening sentence or question, or main idea of your topic. http://www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/Speech.html