1.
Throw your manuscript
A speaker is more compelling when he/ she makes eye contact with his listeners and concentrates on his subject rather than the manuscript in front of him. So rehearse your topic well and distribute a copy or outline to the listeners.”
A speaker is more compelling when he/ she makes eye contact with his listeners and concentrates on his subject rather than the manuscript in front of him. So rehearse your topic well and distribute a copy or outline to the listeners.”
2.
Concrete your thinking.
Before you speak, ask yourself, "What is the central idea that I want my listeners to take away with them?" Try to put it in one sentence. Then look for examples and anecdotes that illustrate your point. If you keep the purpose of your talk firmly in mind, you'll find that these illustrative points will feed naturally into what you have to say.
Before you speak, ask yourself, "What is the central idea that I want my listeners to take away with them?" Try to put it in one sentence. Then look for examples and anecdotes that illustrate your point. If you keep the purpose of your talk firmly in mind, you'll find that these illustrative points will feed naturally into what you have to say.
3.
Know your audience.
Relate to people's everyday lives; address their interests and concerns. Keep it simple and stick to the point.
Relate to people's everyday lives; address their interests and concerns. Keep it simple and stick to the point.
4.
Rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse.
A great orator once said that when he gave a speech he did it four times: once when he wrote it, again when he practiced it, the third time when he actually spoke and then a fourth time on his way home when he thought of all the things he wished he'd said.
A great orator once said that when he gave a speech he did it four times: once when he wrote it, again when he practiced it, the third time when he actually spoke and then a fourth time on his way home when he thought of all the things he wished he'd said.
There will always be things you wish
you'd said, but the more you rehearse, the smoother it will go. If you're
worried about what to do with your hands, practice with a podium in front of
you and use it as a prop. Always rehearse by speaking out loud (even if you
have to close the bedroom door). If it helps, work with someone who can give
you objective criticism, or watch yourself on videotape and be your own best
critic.
5. Use normal
tone.
Don't pound your words. If you find yourself screaming to be heard, stop. Louder is not better. In fact, the best speakers make their points by pausing or lowering their voices. Pauses emphasize what you are saying and allow your listeners to absorb each thought.
Don't pound your words. If you find yourself screaming to be heard, stop. Louder is not better. In fact, the best speakers make their points by pausing or lowering their voices. Pauses emphasize what you are saying and allow your listeners to absorb each thought.
6.
Be yourself. Use firsthand experiences.
Feel free to make yourself the butt of your own jokes. If you get lost in a story or forget what you were going to say, admit it. Say, "I forgot." You'd be surprised how disarming such candor can be. Just look at the few notes you've brought.
Feel free to make yourself the butt of your own jokes. If you get lost in a story or forget what you were going to say, admit it. Say, "I forgot." You'd be surprised how disarming such candor can be. Just look at the few notes you've brought.
No comments:
Post a Comment