Personal Experience
Try this method for preparing your speeches.
Base it on a story from your own experience, preferably a recent experience.
The speech will be in three parts:
1. Start with a simple statement of the point or meaning or significance of your speech.
2. Tell a story which illustrates the statement, point, meaning etc
3. End by restating the point or meaning.
In your preparation, there are two important parts.
First, select the incident or event. (Check some suggestions)
Second, work out a significance for it. (Check some suggestions)
The second part, deciding on the point or the significance, is what makes it a speech in terms of public speaking. It will probably be the hardest part of your preparation.
Use the methods employed by good storytellers.
Look around at the audience – make them feel you are telling it to them.
Set the scene – describe places, use facial expressions and physical movements.
Use pauses to heighten the interest, particularly before the punchline, the final part of the story.
Include conversation and report direct speech – the actual words spoken.
Some DOS
(Check out why if you want to)
DO use incidental time for preparation. Driving to and fro from work is a good time. Weeding the garden is an excellent time. Washing the dishes is a valuable time. Use time where your mind is reasonably free because you are doing a regular activity that doesn’t require much of your thinking effort.
DO put your speaking effort into communicating directly with the audience, rather than struggling to get the details perfect.
DO use silence to handle momentary gaps in your memory. Use a powerful pause.
Some DONTS
(Check out why if you want to)
DONT write out your speech.
DONT use notes (one small palmcard should be your only concession to panic)
DONT apologise for any part of your speech or presentation
Use the timing lights to judge the length of your speech.
Aim to finish approximately when the
Base it on a story from your own experience, preferably a recent experience.
The speech will be in three parts:
1. Start with a simple statement of the point or meaning or significance of your speech.
2. Tell a story which illustrates the statement, point, meaning etc
3. End by restating the point or meaning.
In your preparation, there are two important parts.
First, select the incident or event. (Check some suggestions)
Second, work out a significance for it. (Check some suggestions)
The second part, deciding on the point or the significance, is what makes it a speech in terms of public speaking. It will probably be the hardest part of your preparation.
Use the methods employed by good storytellers.
Look around at the audience – make them feel you are telling it to them.
Set the scene – describe places, use facial expressions and physical movements.
Use pauses to heighten the interest, particularly before the punchline, the final part of the story.
Include conversation and report direct speech – the actual words spoken.
Some DOS
(Check out why if you want to)
DO use incidental time for preparation. Driving to and fro from work is a good time. Weeding the garden is an excellent time. Washing the dishes is a valuable time. Use time where your mind is reasonably free because you are doing a regular activity that doesn’t require much of your thinking effort.
DO put your speaking effort into communicating directly with the audience, rather than struggling to get the details perfect.
DO use silence to handle momentary gaps in your memory. Use a powerful pause.
Some DONTS
(Check out why if you want to)
DONT write out your speech.
DONT use notes (one small palmcard should be your only concession to panic)
DONT apologise for any part of your speech or presentation
Use the timing lights to judge the length of your speech.
Aim to finish approximately when the