Speaking in front of any group large or small can not only be a daunting experience, but has been described by many as an ‘out of body’ encounter. Some feel that they don’t have the ‘gift of the gab’ to successfully deliver an effective presentation or speech. The main thing to remember as a speaker is to identify your own unique and individual style of delivery. Too many times individuals try to mimic others and their personal delivery techniques, when in fact the most memorable speakers are those who put their own personality into their speeches. If you know what works for you and are aware of how comfortable you feel when in front of an audience, the less frightening and terrifying it can be.
Pre Speech
Writing your Speech
Decide what the overall aim or goal is for the speech and from there you will be able to identify what the main objective is. An objective lets you know what you would like the end result to be. For example, are you looking to inform, persuade, educate, entertain, motivate or perhaps inspire your audience? When you know what your objective is, you can begin to tailor it to your content.
The purpose of any introduction is to gain attention, excite the audience or arouse curiosity. They prepare the minds of the audience of what is coming in your speech.Some methods that can be used in introducing a speech include startling statements (facts/figures), a question posed to the audience, anecdote relating to the material, famous quotation or a joke (be very careful with a joke).
Always remember when organising a well-structured body of content to let the content flow with a logical sequence of events that the audience can follow. People generally remember three main items from any speech or presentation, so those three points should be the focus of your content and material.
Lasting impressions and impact are made here in the conclusion. It is important to remember to recap on the three main points that you want your audience to walk away with. Don’t leave them confused over what you were trying to do, speak clearly and confidently leaving them with a sense of completion.
Bear in mind that your audience have expectations of you and surprisingly it is not to see you squirm or make a fool of yourself. The audience are on your side! They want you to keep in tune with the main objective of the speech, meaning that they would like you to entertain, inform, motivate, persuade or convince them as you intend to. You should also bear in mind what your audience motive is for being there, what relevance the subject is to them, and how you think you can best get your message across to them.
- Preparation of visual aids/note cards-
Always ensure that any of the aids or note cards used to help you with your delivery of speech should only act as a prompt or a helpful tool. Never use them to ‘read’ your speech as it sends the message to the audience that you are unsure of the content and that are unable to deliver your material without help. Be certain that you understand your own notes (abbreviations) and PowerPoint slides, it is not pleasant to draw a blank in front of a group when you should know your own subject inside and out.
Oral Delivery of Speech
Practice, Practice, Practice!
The old cliché is very true here, as there are few people who can just ‘wing’ it and get by with delivering a successful speech. By not practicing, speakers find that they walk away feeling that they missed out on certain points they wanted to make. There are a number of ways that speeches can be practiced. - In front of a mirror. It might not sound appealing, but it is the best way that you can see what your body language is and if it matches the impact of you want to say. - In front of a group of friends or family that you trust. Generally, you should choose those that will give you honest feedback on what you have done well and what they think you need to improve on. - Alone in a room where you can speak aloud. By listening to the sound, pitch, clarity, rate and volume of your voice alone, you can hear what your audience will hear. When it comes time for you to deliver your speech then, your own voice will sound familiar to you and you will remember where you need to pause as well as when to emphasise certain words.
During Speech
Have a quick glance around the room before introducing yourself and the speech. Ensure that you know where your eye contact should be placed, take a deep breath or drink of water and begin to speak.
- Acknowledge your audience
Address the audience with both a gesture of body language and a warm greeting or a thank you, this will get your speech started on the right foot and give you a personal edge.
Body Language is made up of all different gestures such as Facial Expressions, Eye Contact, Hand and Arm movements, Stance and Positioning of feet. They help the audience to receive the message you are trying to send. Understand the impact of what your body is saying and ensure that it is appropriate to the content of your speech. For example, if you are trying to inform a group of new information, the body stance should be authoritative, controlled and calm. · Vocal (sound of voice) – Vocal variety, volume, pitch, tone, speed, clarity, sound, accent and pausing are just some of the ways that the vocal aspect of communication can send a message to a group of people. It is important to remember that the audience are willing to listen if the voice is ‘attractive’ and appealing to what is being said. Ensure that the tone of voice is sincere, distinct and well articulated. For example, if you are trying to convince or move your audience to action, ensure that there is greater emphasis placed on words that will have a major impact and the tone is applicable to the subject.
- Language (content and words used) –
Be knowledgeable about your subject, use jargon or slang that is easily understood by the group and explain certain phrases or terminology if necessary. · Dealing with Nerves – The most common sign of nerves for speakers is ‘butterflies in the stomach, quivering in the voice, increased heart rate, sweaty palms, dry mouth and shaky hands’. The true cure for nerves is the most obvious one, practice! But if you have practiced before delivery and after a couple of minutes into your presentation, you find you are still suffering from nerves, there are a few things that can be done in order to help calm you. 1.) Breathe. This may mean having to place a yellow mark at the end of a note card or a PowerPoint slide to remind yourself to stop and breathe, but it can be very effective. This also allows the audience a couple of seconds to absorb some of your points while you are pausing. 2.) Take a drink of water. ALWAYS ensure that you have a glass of water (not a sports bottle) near you so that you can stop, take a couple of sips and compose yourself. This helps with a dry mouth or if you feel that you are rushing through the content too quickly. 3.) Bring your hands together and hold them for a few seconds. Use your shoulders to do the ‘body talk’ for you while your hands are locked together. By doing this, you are helping to stop ‘shaky’ hands as well as hands flying about which can be distracting for the audience. 4.) Take a couple of steps using the space in front of you and stand and pause for a couple of seconds while still addressing the group. Often this can stop the fidgeting of feet and crossing over of legs, which can show uncertainty, or a level of discomfort from you, the speaker.
If there is a ‘Questions and Answers’ section at the end of your speech, ensure that you have prepared at LEAST six questions that you would hate to be asked. It is Murphy’s Law that if you think ‘I hope I’m not asked that question’… You will. Don’t let you credibility down that you worked so hard for in the speech by not being able to answer any questions relating to the material you have just presented.
Post Speech
- Assessment of self and audience –
Recognise the impact that you may have made with your body language, tone of voice and choice of words. Reflect thoughtfully and critically on what you have delivered and how you delivered it. There are a few questions that you should ask yourself after your delivery.- Did you achieve the objective that you set out to do?- Did your audience feel that you reached them?- Do you feel that you performed as well as you could have?- Is there anything you would change for next time? Remember, do not let Dale Carnegie’s words be truthful to you…
“There are always three speeches for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave and the one you wish you gave.”
Artile by: Sandra Sheerin
Public Speaking IrelandEmail: info@publicspeaking.ie
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