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Step 1: 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, humor 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.
Learn the fundamentals of successful
speechwriting. Discover how to correctly structure your speech with
a strong opening, a purposeful body, and a memorable conclusion.
Step 2:
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 Opening
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 Middle
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 organized 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:
· Summarize 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).
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.::Step
Three: Delivery::. |
Should you use a script, use notes or
rely on your memory during the delivery of your speech? Finally,
read our Delivery Tips for some ideas of what you should and should
not do during a public speaking engagement.
Step 3: 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 emphasize
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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