Speaking Advice
All advice here is from:
www.speechtips.com
Preparing Your Speech
1.1 Public Speaking For Everyone
Preparing and delivering your first public speech can be a daunting affair. You may find it
difficult deciding what you want to say, how to say it, or perhaps the thought of speaking before
an audience scares you. It's true that some people are naturally talented at public speaking, but
the good news is that with some helpful guidance, anyone can write and deliver a successful speech
that will be remembered for all the right reasons.
1.2 Solid Foundations
Your first instinct may be to sit down with a pen and paper and charge full steam ahead into the
first line of your speech. Don't. You will save yourself a lot of time and effort, not to mention
much frustrating re-writing, if you begin instead by devoting some time to careful planning of your
speech. Through effective preparation, you will answer all the questions and doubts about your
speech before they arise. The contents of your speech, and how you deliver it, are based on three
important factors:
- 1.2.1 The Occasion
- 1.2.2 The Audience
- 1.2.3 The Purpose of Your Speech
1.2.1 The Occasion
The nature of the occasion will obviously have a great bearing on your speech. The occasion will
dictate not only the content of your speech, but also the duration, the tone, and the expectations
of your audience. For example, humour may be inappropriate during a business presentation or a
eulogy, while it may be welcome during a wedding speech, or a sports event. You should also be
aware of your role and any observances that you should make during your speech (For example, a Best
Man ought to close his speech with a toast to the Bride and Groom).
Be mindful of the occasion and your role in it.
1.2.2 The Audience
Whatever the occasion, your speech must always be targeted at your audience.
If you are familiar with your audience, for example if the occasion is a large family gathering,
then your speech should acknowledge and build upon your existing intimacy with your audience. The
use of names and personal details of members of your audience can help to engage your listeners.
If the speech is to an unfamiliar audience then an early goal of your speech must be to build a
degree of trust with the listeners.
You must know who your audience are in order to best decide how to affect your message upon them.
1.2.3 The Purpose of Your Speech
By setting out a few clear goals before you start writing your speech, you will be better equipped
to judge its progress and success of your speech prior to its public airing. A hilarious Best Man
speech may have your audience rolling in the aisles, but if you fail to give tribute to the Bride
and Groom you will have failed in your role.
By setting clear goals, you will be better positioned to judge the likely success of your speech.
Writing Your Speech
2.1 Structure
Most good writing, we are told over and over again, must have structure. A good speech is no
exception. By providing your speech with a beginning, middle, and an end, you will have laid the
foundations for a successful speech that fulfils all of your aspirations.
We will now cover each of these areas:
- 2.2 The Opening
- 2.3 The Middle
- 2.4 The Closing
2.2 The Beginning
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,
make an interesting or controversial statement, recite a relevant quotation or even recount a joke.
Once you have won the attention of the audience, your speech should move seamlessly to the middle
of your speech.
2.3 The Body
The body of your speech will always be the largest part of your speech. At this point your audience
will have been introduced to you and the subject of your speech (as set out in your opening) and
will hopefully be ready to hear your arguments, your musings or on the subject of your speech.
The best way to set out the body of your speech is by formulating a series of points that you would
like to raise. In the context of your speech, a "point" could be a statement about a
product, a joke about the bridegroom or a fond memory of the subject of a eulogy.
The points should be organised 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.
Don't try to overwhelm your audience with countless points. It is better to have fewer points that
you make well than to have too many points, none of which are made satisfactorily.
2.4 The Closing
Like you 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:
- Summarise the main points of your speech
- Provide some further food for thought for your listeners
- Leave your audience with positive memories of your speech
- Choose the final thought/emotion (for example, with well wishes to the Bride and Groom, with
fond memories of a departed friend, with admiration for winners and losers at an awards ceremony etc).
Delivering Your Speech
3.1 Scripts, Notes or Memory?
It's now time to prepare to deliver your speech. If you are nervous or inexperienced, you will
probably want to choose to read your speech from a script or from notes.
3.1.1 Reading From a Script
Reading your entire speech from a script may give you confidence and ensure that nothing is
forgotten or omitted, however it is the least desirable option for delivering your speech. You will
find it more difficult to see your audience, and make it harder for them to get involved to you.
When reading from a script it is extremely difficult to deliver your speech to your audience,
rather than just read it aloud.
3.1.2 Using Notes
If you are not confident enough to recited your speech from memory, then the use of notes is a much
more desirable option than using a complete script. Your notes should consist of the keywords or
points of your speech - a skeleton of thoughts or words around which you can build your speech. You
may refer to your notes occasionally to maintain the thread of your speech, while for the most part
of you will be able to speak directly to the audience.
3.1.3 Reciting From Memory
You may prefer to recite from memory. However you should only do this if you are comfortable
speaking publicly, and not prone to loss of concentration (or memory!). As with reading from a
script, you should be careful not to lapse into a monotonous recitation of your speech.
3.2 Speech Delivery Tips
- Make sure that your appearance is well presented
- Speak clearly, and adjust your voice so that everyone can hear you. Don't shout for the sake of
being loud
- It is common to speak rapidly when nervous, try to take your time speaking
- Effectively used, a pause in your speech can be used to emphasise a point, or to allow the
audience to react to a fact, anecdote or joke
- Make eye contact with your audience. This helps to build trust and a relationship between the
speaker and the listeners
- Do not fidget or make other nervous gestures with your hands. - Do not keep your hands in your
pockets. Do use hand gestures effectively
- Be yourself, allow your own personality to come across in your speech
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