Speaking Skills: Preparation

Sources: Guffey Ch. 15, Thill/Bovee Ch. 13, DiResta Ch. 6, Miller “Be Heard The First Time,” Gallo, “10 Simple Secrets of the World’s Greatest Communicators,” Halpern “Leadership Presence,” Fugere “Why Business People Speak Like Idiots,” and Margaret Keys Communication

“I’ve seen a lot of guys who are smarter than I am and a lot who know more about cars. And yet I’ve lost them in the smoke. Why? Because I’m tough? No… You’ve got to know how to talk to them, plain and simple.”

Lee Iacocca

Video - MLK

PREPARING AN ORAL PRESENTATION

Identifying Your Purpose

What you want audience to believe, remember, or do

Aim all parts of talk toward purpose Repeat, be redundant, use variations

Audience analysis – why should they listen?

Audience Analysis

See Class Calendar Resources Speak to all personality types:

N --> long-term implications

S --> scenarios/details

T --> facts

F --> emotions/relationships

Discussion:Communication Matters

Presentations with Something for EveryoneWhat are some strategies

for reaching the various types of learners?• Visual• Auditory• Kinesthetic

Speech Outline

INTRODUCTION Attention grabber Preview (transition)

BODY Main point 1 (transition) Main point 2 (transition) Main point 3 (transition)

CONCLUSION summarize main points

Introduction: Components

Attention grabber Introduce topic Preview main points Goals:

link audience to you plant your message

Attention Grabber

Goal: get audience listening and involved

Capture attention Establish credibility

your position, expertise, knowledge, qualifications, self-confidence

Eye contact

10 Attention Grabbers

1) A promiseBy the end of this presentation, you will be able to . . . .

2) DramaTell a moving story (personal/anecdotal)Describe a serious problem

3) Startling statement/surprising actionShock appeal

4) QuestionsInvolve the audience, use rhetorical questions.

10 Attention Grabbers

5) QuoteWeave quote into your topic

6) Demonstrations Include member of audience.

7) Samples/gimmicksAward prizes, pass out samples.

8) VisualsVariety; well designed

10 Attention Grabbers

9) Self-interest Describe world as audience

sees it “What’s in it for me?”

10) HumorNot jokes,

Self-depreciating best

Relaxes audience

Creates a connection

Body of Your Presentation

Develop two to four main points. Streamline your topic,

summarize its principal parts Arrange the points logically:

chronologically most important

to least by comparison

and contrast

Discussion: Communication Matters

No Trumpets or Bugles How can the ‘speaker’s transcript’

improve the content of your speech? How do you introduce emotional

content?

Body of Presentation Make it memorable

Simplicity Repetition Visual wording

paint a word picture Verbal wording

onomatopoeia Metaphors – create connections Stories (make a point tell a story)

Don’t be boring!

Discussion: Communication Matters

Why Business People Speak Like IdiotsHow can “the bullfighters guide” help

you prepare a better speech?What made Winston Churchhill’s

“We Shall Fight on the Beaches” speech as effective today as in 1940?

Transitions

Use “bridge” statements between major points

I’ve just discussed X;

now I will explain Y Use verbal signposts:

however, for example, first, etc. If you think you’re overdoing signposts/

transitions; you’ve got it right!

Conclusion Review your main points Provide a final focus (connect dots)

how can audience use information why you have spoken what should audience do

End on a positive note End on time Question-and-answer period

Answering Questions Anticipate questions

prepare for most likely questions Thank the questioner

and/or compliment the question Understand the question

paraphrase/repeat if needed Do not digress Be honest, don’t BS if don’t know answer

you’ll research answer “…outside the scope of this research”

Control interchanges Use last question to summarize

END