How to Make Short Speeches

8/2/2019 How to Make Short Speeches

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Making a good speech starts weeks

before, through preparation

You should think about themesand points, noting down ideas

and sources, crafting phrases

and sentences.



Research some salient, accurate and

up-date facts and figures

Since the best speeches tell theaudience things they didn’t

know, therefore avoid repeating.



Think “out of the box”

Look at the subject differently,great speeches also give the

audience insights they didn't

have.



Always convey a sense of

enthusiasm for the subject

This will affect your delivery and how your speech is received. If you don’t care about

the topic of discussion the others won’t pay

attention to it.

. .



Be different from the previous

speaker so you get your audience'sattention quickly

If your style is the same as what they have justheard, they may tune out easily. Therefore, if

possible, try to find out as much as you can

about the speaker before you.

. .



Know what you want to

achieve with your audience andaim for it

Remember to keep your message to thepoint, on target and focused. Do not attempt

to try to tell your audience everything

because that is impossible in a short speech.

Pick the most important points always.

. .



Have a very clear structure

A good structure is for the core message tobe three linked points which can be sub-

divided as necessary.

. .



Make a dramatic opening

which seizes the attention withthe very first words. You haveno luxury of warming up your audience as you sometimes

can do in a longer talk or aseminar . You must make the

first impression the best.

. .

Don't make a

rambling opening

There is nothing worse

than the speaker who

starts with something like:

"When I was asked to

speak on this subject, I

wondered what to say .."



Be aware of covering

the whole topic

Two or three ideas are the most that you can convey

in one short speech. In some cases, you are better offto keep it to one idea with a couple of points. Tryingto say too much will just make you have to talk reallyfast and still not get the topic covered.

. .



Finish with a strong, affirmative

statement

Possibly referring back to the opening sentence or

question (note how many film scripts end with avariation of a line from the beginning of the movie).Remember that is clearer to make “circular

speeches”

. .



Keep in mind your time limit

Practice first just the speech to see if it flows

well. Then, repeat the process using a timingdevice (watch, clock).If the speech is too

long, cut unnecessary words. If it is too short,

add more material.

. .



Use a narrative or a story

Stories really engage listeners and give a speechdirection and flow. For instance, you might be

describing how you chose your career or enjoyed aholiday or how a company found success or cameto change strategy. PD: Stories work but DON’T use

them always...

. .



Put the main verb early in

the sentence

Especially if it is a long sentence. So, not: "When we

have all the facts and we have considered all the

options, we shall make our decision". But instead: "We shall make our decision , when we have all the facts

and we have considered all the options"

. .

. .



Use striking adjectives

and adverbs.

Since they enrich the sentences. Not simply: "Weface many challenges" but "We face many exciting

challenges". Not simply: "We will work on our problems" but "We will work energetically on our problems".

. .

. .



Consider the use of striking

images in the form of metaphors or similes

Since they capture the attention of the audience andhelp you to transmit a message. Some of the greatest

speakers did it, for example: "an iron curtain" (WinstonChurchill, 1946), "a paper tiger" (Mao Zedong,

1946),"the axis of evil" (George Bush, 2002)

. .

. .



Use contrasts

They are also very effective in conveying a messagedifferently. For example: "Ask not what your country

can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" (John F Kennedy, inaugural address, 1961)or "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justiceeverywhere" (Martin Luther King, letter from jail, 1963).

. .

. .



Use three-part lists

Technically this figure of speech is called a tricolonand it helps to convey ideas quickly in an organized

and different way. For example: "Government ofthe people, by the people, and for thepeople" (Abraham Lincoln)

. .



Repetition can be very

effective

Especially for recalling the main idea (and/or the keywords) of your speech. Nevertheless be careful when

you use repetition, because if you exceed in its use itseems like if you don’t know what to say.

. .



When you are not using

a microphone

Be aware of the need to speak sufficiently

loudly that the furthest member of your audience can hear you clearly. Take the

opportunity to move around a little which will

help to command attention.

. .



If you are using a microphone

Speak at normal volume, but a little more

slowly and distinctly than if you were notusing amplification. Don't move around

because you'll leave the microphone behind

(unless it is fixed to you)

. .



Occasionally alter the

pace and tone of your voice

Speaking slower or faster and quieter or

louder and being more cheerful or moreserious all adds dramatic effect and keeps

the attention of your audience.

. .



Give yourself a time to pause

Specially before starting your delivery. If you are nervousas a speaker, it gives you time to take a few shallow

breaths and calm those nerves. In any event, it gives the

audience an opportunity to settle down and focus onyou and your message. But it should be a few secondsonly. Also make clever use of the pause. If you expect

laughter or applause or you would like to create a senseof drama, pause for a couple of seconds, before

continuing your speech.

. .



Sweep your eyes regularly

Left-centre-right and back and front-middle-

rear and back, so that you engage allmembers of your audience. Avoiding eye

contact is considered rude (and renders you

a suspicious character).

. .



Use your hands expressively

Hands can tell people you’re absentminded. If

you fuss with your clothing, repeatedly stroke

your hair or brow, tap your fingers on the desk,or fidget with this and that, onlookers will be

distracted by this unproductive (and usually

distracting) activity. Make plans for hands.

. .



For example: When he was Labour's Shadow Chancellor,

Gordon Brown famously praised "neoclassical endogenous

growth theory and a symbiotic relationship betweeninvestment in people and infrastructure". In the introduction

to his compilation "Speeches That Changed The World",Simon Sebag Montefiore states: "As a rule, simplicity of

language marks superb speeechmaking".

Don't try to impress

with over-complicated

terminology.



I hope to see you this Saturday putting these

tips into practice!

How to Make Short Speeches

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