Fall 2009
Commit to giving your speech Know your audience Determine your purpose ◦ Inform ◦ Persuade ◦ Entertain ◦ Inspire ◦ Promote a product or idea
What will they know of subject? What background information do they need? What technical or complex matters have to be explained? How can they be kept interested? What questions might they ask?
Will audience be interested in topic or will you need to work to get their attention? Will the audience be able to follow your speech easily or will you need to forecast major themes early for them?
Definitions Instructions and demonstrations Oral reports ◦ Factual ◦ Advisory Explanatory ◦ Similar to definition ◦ Connects concepts ◦ Rationale important
The ideal length Organize your speech ◦ The Beginning-- Tell them what you are going to tell them ◦ The Body -- Tell them ◦ The Closing -- Tell them what you have told them Organize the manuscript to fit your style
Refer to subject or problem Refer to occasion Ask rhetorical question Make startling statement of fact or opinion Use apt quotation Relate humorous anecdote relevant to topic Cite real or hypothetic illustration
20 minute talk should have no more than 3 main points Structure: ◦ Timeline – sequential order ◦ Climax Main points delivered in order of increasing importance ◦ Problem/solution Problem presented, solution suggested, benefits given ◦ Classification Important items are major points ◦ Simple to complex Ideas listed from simplest to most complex or can be done in reverse
Questions to ask: ◦ Do I need a summary ◦ Does content lead naturally to a “so what” question ◦ What mood do I want to leave audience in ◦ How should I signal my speech is ending
Issue a challenge or appear to audience Summarize major points Provide appropriate quotation Epitomize points with illustration Offer additional inducement for accepting or acting on proposal advocated
Practice, practice, practice ◦ Appearance ◦ Dress appropriately for occasion ◦ Posture ◦ Body language ◦ Gestures ◦ Speech patterns ◦ Voice
Eye contact Facial expressions Gestures Posture and body orientation Proximity
Volume Tone Pitch Pace Color Vary the voice
Show enthusiasm Never mumble or gabble Use short words and simple sentences Use gestures Use notes only for prompts Convert statistics into charts and graphs – make them simple to understand
Develop a conversational style Use vocal variety Use gestures and movement Express emotions naturally Use eye contact Use spontaneous expressiveness
Using visuals ◦ Speakers’ goals are met 34% more often when visuals are used Attributes of good visuals ◦ Uncluttered ◦ Upper and lower case ◦ Spelling! ◦ Readable ◦ Use of colors, illustrations and charts
Know the room ◦ Audio visual equipment ◦ Lectern/Podium ◦ Seating ◦ Light switches
“Fight or flight” response actually helps you Take deep breaths Walk out the tension Be familiar with your speech -- memorize the opening Take a moment alone Put the experience in perspective Pause before you start Lock eyes with one person
Do not read from handouts Don’t put your hands in you pockets Don’t wave a pointer around Do not lean on the podium Speak to the audience not the visual aids Do not stand between the audience and the visual aids Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard Don’t speak in a monotone Use colored backgrounds on visuals aids so they are not harsh on the eye
Circulate around the room when you speak List and discuss your objectives at the beginning of the presentation Let the audience know how your presentations fits in with their goals Vary your techniques (lecture, discussion, debate, etc.) Get to the presentation before the audience and be the last to leave Be prepared to use an alternative approach iff the one you have chosen bogs down Consider the time of day and how long you have for your presentation Most people find that the actual presentation takes 25 percent more time than what they practiced in their head.