Nearly as dreaded as snakes and spiders, public speaking ranks high in causing fear in many of us.
Whether your motivation is a desire to learn or simple necessity, here is a really simple guide to writing and giving a speech. Your Topic: is this speech about something already know? Then take a blank piece of paper and write down as many facts as you can think about this subject. Put them randomly around the page with circles or boxes drawn around each thought. Then draw lines to link the thoughts together in a meaningful way. An excellent website for this type of brainstorming can be found at www.mindmap.com.
Once you've exhausted your inner knowledge or, if this is a topic you don't know much about, do a google search (www.google.com) on the topic. Visit the sites that seem to speak to the topic and again write down individual thoughts or ideas on a blank sheet of paper.
Your Introduction: Now take your sheet of ideas and write a 3-sentence introduction. If you were going to describe this to me over a cup of coffee what would you say? A key to giving a speech is a conversational tone. In the introduction tell your audience what you're about to say.
Body: In three subsections (A, B, C or I, II, III or i, ii, iii) expand on your introduction. What is the first most important thing you want your audience to know? The second most important? The third? Make each section about 2 or 3 paragraphs long. Keep referring back to your brainstorm page.
Conclusion: In the introduction you told them what you were going to say. In the body, you told them again in detail. In the conclusion now tell them again. Tell them what you're going to say, tell them, and then tell them what you said. Make the conclusion about 2 times as long as your introduction.
Do you want action with that? A speech is made to inform, to persuade, or to move to action. Finish off your speech with a statement that meets one of those purposes.
As a rule of thumb, a single-spaced, typed page should take 3 to 4 minutes to read through at the correct pace. If it takes less, you're going too fast.
Practice, practice, practice - do NOT read your speech to your audience; either from 5X8 cards or from a typed sheet. To give a good speech you must sound familiar with the material; to become familiar with the material requires repetition. Repetition means reading the material aloud up to 50 times if necessary until you are totally familiar with it.
A good speech also involves feedback. During practice sessions you must recruit family or friends or coworkers to listen to you. Don't ask them if it's "good" or not; rather ask if it sounds conversational. Rewrite as needed to make your sentences sound like a normal conversation.
Fear: Since speech making often causes fear it must be dealt with beforehand. First, familiarity with your content will reduce fear. Repetition causes familiarity so practice, practice, practice. Ultimately, if you need notes for fear you'll forget, you are not familiar enough with the material. If you MUST use notes, keep them to a minimum - perhaps your outline points (introduction, ABC, conclusion).
While giving the speech do not READ, do not look down, do not go too fast. Some tricks - if you wear glasses, take them off. You'll be less nervous if you can't see the audience so clearly. If you have notes you'll be looking down and just make it more obvious how uncomfortable you are - especially if you lose your place and have to stop. Again a sign you are not familiar enough with your material. Instead of making eye contact, look at each individual's forehead. To your audience it looks as if you are making eye contact without actually having to.
Make your speech about half as fast as you feel the urge to. When giving a speech we often speed up making ourselves sound silly and making it difficult for the audience to get your points.
Speech making comes to most of us sooner or later. If you'll think out and organize what you want to say, if you'll practice until you sound conversational, and if you'll deal with fear up front, then you're speech will be well received.
As a final incentive, remember that your audience is not out there to ridicule or belittle you. They are actually rooting for you to give an interesting talk. Do you actually think they're there just waiting to pounce on your mistakes?
Good presenters are worth their weight in gold. How do I know? Just think for a moment about all the poor speeches you've endured. You would have given anything to be elsewhere. Now think about someone who made a memorable speech. Which would you rather listen to? Which would you rather be?
If you have questions about making a presentation, write me at the email address below.
Hal Warfield is a speaker, teacher and coach. Email him at warfield@midsouth.rr.com. Or visit http://www.halwarfield.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Whether you want to be a part time, full time... Read More
I don't know how many books, articles, manuals and scripts... Read More
Speaking in public can be a powerful way to build... Read More
Meeting planners know the value of meticulous planning. They are... Read More
Presenters and those making speeches will frequently be faced with... Read More
When Robert Middleton moved his marketing consulting practice, Action Plan... Read More
In a funk because other speakers seem to be snagging... Read More
It is important to be continually aware that a person... Read More
Almost everybody is nervous when they stand up to speak.... Read More
One of the most important tools speakers use is their... Read More
Many people are recognised for their work, industry, sporting or... Read More
I don't know why it is, but no matter how... Read More
Why do you have to be an expert when getting... Read More
I was a celebrity lecture agent in the college and... Read More
Successful speakers do not do all the right things all... Read More
For some reason, the prospect of having to answer audience... Read More
No matter how good you are as a presenter, there... Read More
Your ability to communicate effectively will account for most of... Read More
When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a... Read More
Often managers have to deliver presentations with unpleasant content. The... Read More
Stretch to relax. Rise on your toes and reach for... Read More
The fear of public speaking is one of the most... Read More
Being a guest speaker in front of the right audience... Read More
Use your voice to your advantage. One of your main... Read More
"Would you like to say a few words?" How many... Read More
Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting.... Read More
The fear of speaking in public is well-documented, often discussed,... Read More
1. Learn the speech by heart or read it from... Read More
Directing a voice-over talent you've hired to read a spot... Read More
We all know that to be a careful driver on... Read More
Prayer or Meditation: If you're a believer you can pray... Read More
Who do you know that knows that you speak?There is... Read More
How do you get your name on a speakers list?Speaking... Read More
During the coffee break of one conference I attended, whispers... Read More
I am terrified of heights. The thought of skydiving, for... Read More
Public Speaking is a challenging skill. It is TOUGH! For... Read More
Aside from fielding and asking questions, there are other ways... Read More
Whether going for the gold or giving a presentation, the... Read More
Studies show that your word-power determines your earning power, that... Read More
A well-built media kit is vital for effective marketing. Without... Read More
Prayer or Meditation: If you're a believer you can pray... Read More
Along with the opening two minutes of a speech, the... Read More
You're a bright, dynamic executive. You've been scheduled to give... Read More
Who do you know that knows that you speak?There is... Read More
Imagine yourself at mission control; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,... Read More
Public Speaking is the number one way to advance your... Read More
I was a celebrity lecture agent in the college and... Read More
Microphones are designed to help your voice, not replace it.... Read More
"More learning occurs through emotion than through intellect" C.S. LewisEven... Read More
7 Tips that calm and center you before your presentation:1.... Read More
A high level manager contacted me in a panic. He... Read More
Franklin Delano Roosevelt had some good advice for the public... Read More
The subject of public speaking is riddled with tired, worn... Read More
There's one skill you can develop that will boost your... Read More
Nearly as dreaded as snakes and spiders, public speaking ranks... Read More
Whether you want to be a part time, full time... Read More
Your ability to communicate effectively will account for most of... Read More
Business communications researchers have studied the phenomenon of stage fright... Read More
I love the Disney movie The Kid with Bruce Willis.... Read More
Successful speakers do not do all the right things all... Read More
The fear of speaking in public is well-documented, often discussed,... Read More
Mandy*, a bright, attractive professional woman, had a fear of... Read More
Centuries ago great speakers often spoke two hours and more.... Read More
While teaching a two-day Speaking Confidence program to a group... Read More
Entering the speaking industry can be both daunting and exciting.... Read More
It is inevitable that at times during our careers or... Read More
Public Speaking |