Giving a Speech: Our Advice for Public Speaking
4 September 2014
Read by 2656 persons
In a private or family setting, our mistakes are quickly forgiven. But in a professional context, a speech error, a slip of the tongue, hesitation, a poorly phrased sentence or a tactless remark is immediately pointed out and will fuel gossip, some of which can be cruel. Here are some key questions to ask yourself to approach the podium with confidence.
The Audience
Who am I addressing? What is their state of mind regarding what I am going to say? What are they sensitive to, where is their main interest? (It's not a bad idea to do a little research before you start.)
The Introduction
Mention an aspect that concerns them all! Then what concerns their official and unofficial representatives. This could be thanking key people. It is also appropriate to focus attention on a person who symbolizes an aspect specific to the whole group.
In short, the audience likes it when you talk about them in a positive and respectful way. They like humor, provided they are not the butt of the joke. Ultimately, it should enhance the assembly.
What if the topic of the speech concerns a negative situation? Highlight the level of difficulties encountered and the goodwill shown by the majority. Golden rule: never invalidate the audience's good intentions unless you really enjoy a fight.
Visual Aids
Very few speakers are able to improvise a speech, and those who can are professional enough to rely on a written speech or a good outline when they know their subject perfectly.
How to free yourself from the text? The easiest way is to learn it by heart. This way, the speaker can concentrate on the performance, remaining more natural and paradoxically able to improvise. Most speakers have notes for precise information and to remember the essential points.
Projector and PowerPoint? The increasingly common use of these tools should not make us forget these few rules: do not exceed three messages per slide, bearing in mind that an image speaks more than a series of words. Do not turn your back to the audience while pointing your laser pointer at the screen, and turn off the screen lighting when you return to the speech itself.
Criticism
While positive comments dissipate like fireworks, negative comments leave deep marks that are not forgotten. You should adapt the emotional tone of your speech, taking into account the more or less positive polarization of the subject and the current mood. This may seem secondary until the moment you cross the stage to reach the podium.
Structure
At its simplest, we should say: what we are going to say, say it, then say that we have said it.
Here are two variations for an encouraging speech: Problem/Solution or Objective/Means
1) State a problem or an objective.
2) Explore some unsuitable solutions or means.
3) Then present a solution or a means.
4) Show evidence.
5) Finally, encourage a specific action
Each point can be developed and illustrated with anecdotes, examples and facts. If you want something to be remembered, it should be repeated at least four times.
Form
The "you" creates a distance between the speaker and the audience, and risks making them seem like a lecturer. Using "we" includes the audience and vice versa. "We who are faced with..."
In short, use "you" for compliments to the audience, "we" for sharing and "I" for anecdotes or humor (laughing at yourself).
Look
It's a question of conformity and common sense, which requires presenting the audience with the image they are entitled to expect from us. To shock, simply stand out... It's all a question of dosage and risk-taking. Also, discovering that the backstage is dark while you are wearing navy blue is a logistical error that can be costly. In addition, be careful of the negative effects of backgrounds: bins, posters, etc.
Stage Fright
Those who don't know stage fright are not speakers. Most of the time, it goes away with the first few words. Beware of the trap of a glass of alcohol... It doesn't help and it's even worse the next time.
Practical advice to limit its effects:
- After preparing well, it is advisable to have placed some friendly faces in the audience.
- Have your speech and notes written in large enough characters to read easily.
- Make a few grimaces in the mirror and "force" yourself to smile. Like an athlete, it is useful to warm up your cheek muscles if you want to use the most powerful weapon in the service of your speech.
- Do some physical exercises, jump, stretch and practice your voice before going on stage
- Breathe well before and during.
- Once at the podium, it is good to quickly create the widest possible anchor points. To do this, scan the back of the room, then from bottom to top, then the sides from end to end, then return to the center of the room. In this way, the speaker takes possession of the space and, consequently, places the audience in their bubble.
Terrafemina.com
Posted on September 4, 2014.
The Audience
Who am I addressing? What is their state of mind regarding what I am going to say? What are they sensitive to, where is their main interest? (It's not a bad idea to do a little research before you start.)
The Introduction
Mention an aspect that concerns them all! Then what concerns their official and unofficial representatives. This could be thanking key people. It is also appropriate to focus attention on a person who symbolizes an aspect specific to the whole group.
In short, the audience likes it when you talk about them in a positive and respectful way. They like humor, provided they are not the butt of the joke. Ultimately, it should enhance the assembly.
What if the topic of the speech concerns a negative situation? Highlight the level of difficulties encountered and the goodwill shown by the majority. Golden rule: never invalidate the audience's good intentions unless you really enjoy a fight.
Visual Aids
Very few speakers are able to improvise a speech, and those who can are professional enough to rely on a written speech or a good outline when they know their subject perfectly.
How to free yourself from the text? The easiest way is to learn it by heart. This way, the speaker can concentrate on the performance, remaining more natural and paradoxically able to improvise. Most speakers have notes for precise information and to remember the essential points.
Projector and PowerPoint? The increasingly common use of these tools should not make us forget these few rules: do not exceed three messages per slide, bearing in mind that an image speaks more than a series of words. Do not turn your back to the audience while pointing your laser pointer at the screen, and turn off the screen lighting when you return to the speech itself.
Criticism
While positive comments dissipate like fireworks, negative comments leave deep marks that are not forgotten. You should adapt the emotional tone of your speech, taking into account the more or less positive polarization of the subject and the current mood. This may seem secondary until the moment you cross the stage to reach the podium.
Structure
At its simplest, we should say: what we are going to say, say it, then say that we have said it.
Here are two variations for an encouraging speech: Problem/Solution or Objective/Means
1) State a problem or an objective.
2) Explore some unsuitable solutions or means.
3) Then present a solution or a means.
4) Show evidence.
5) Finally, encourage a specific action
Each point can be developed and illustrated with anecdotes, examples and facts. If you want something to be remembered, it should be repeated at least four times.
Form
The "you" creates a distance between the speaker and the audience, and risks making them seem like a lecturer. Using "we" includes the audience and vice versa. "We who are faced with..."
In short, use "you" for compliments to the audience, "we" for sharing and "I" for anecdotes or humor (laughing at yourself).
Look
It's a question of conformity and common sense, which requires presenting the audience with the image they are entitled to expect from us. To shock, simply stand out... It's all a question of dosage and risk-taking. Also, discovering that the backstage is dark while you are wearing navy blue is a logistical error that can be costly. In addition, be careful of the negative effects of backgrounds: bins, posters, etc.
Stage Fright
Those who don't know stage fright are not speakers. Most of the time, it goes away with the first few words. Beware of the trap of a glass of alcohol... It doesn't help and it's even worse the next time.
Practical advice to limit its effects:
- After preparing well, it is advisable to have placed some friendly faces in the audience.
- Have your speech and notes written in large enough characters to read easily.
- Make a few grimaces in the mirror and "force" yourself to smile. Like an athlete, it is useful to warm up your cheek muscles if you want to use the most powerful weapon in the service of your speech.
- Do some physical exercises, jump, stretch and practice your voice before going on stage
- Breathe well before and during.
- Once at the podium, it is good to quickly create the widest possible anchor points. To do this, scan the back of the room, then from bottom to top, then the sides from end to end, then return to the center of the room. In this way, the speaker takes possession of the space and, consequently, places the audience in their bubble.
Terrafemina.com
Posted on September 4, 2014.
