Build a Balanced Speech

1. Build a Balanced Speech • Introduction-10% of the speech • Gain audience attention via an example, quote, statistics or a visual aid • State the Central Thesis (the main idea) • Establish your credibility • Identify with the audience and recognize the occasion • Preview the main points, in the same order they will appear in the speech

2. Build a Balanced Speech (continued) • Body-80% of the speech • Use 3-5 main points • Give balanced attention to each section • Conclusion-10% of the speech • This is a mirror image of introduction, with a review • Refer back to the attention-getter in the introduction (e.g., a vivid example) • Don’t introduce new information • End with authority, and always on time

3. Employ Frequent Transitions • Transitions help adult learners knowwhat to expect • Transitions link the main parts of the speech, and create a smooth flow • Transitions can review, and then preview main points • Transitions can be long or short • Single words, phrases or sentences • Numbers

4. Examples of Transitions • “Now that we have reviewed the problem of homelessness, let’s examine three main causes…” • “The second major problem is…” • “Next, we will consider..” • “That brings us to…” • “The final point…”

5. Employ Humor With Care Where humor is concerned, there are no standards - no one can say what is good or bad, although you can be sure that everyone will! John Kenneth Galbraith

6. Use Varied and MultipleTypes of Evidence and Support • Examples • Vivid success stories or brief scenarios • Visual aids or models • Expert testimony • Quotes attributed to an expert enhance the speaker’s credibility • Statistics • Be sure to round off and interpret

7. There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics. Benjamin Disraeli

8. Statistics always remind me of the fellow who drowned in a river whose average depth was three feet. Woody Hayes Coach, Ohio State Football

9. Always provide peoplewith a context to helpthem understand. Richard E. Moran

10. A talk is a voyage with a purpose, and it must be charted. The man who starts out going nowhere,generally gets there. Dale Carnegie

11. Strategically Choose Your Organizational Pattern(s) • Chronological (in order of occurrence, as in a historical perspective) • Topical (by subject) • Spatial (by physical position, as in geographic) • Problem-Cause-Solution • Problem-Solution • Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

12. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence • Attention • Create interest in the problem • Need • Analyze problem characteristics andrelate these to the audience needs • Satisfaction • Propose a course of action that eliminates the problem and satisfies audience needs, desires and wants

13. Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (continued) • Visualization • Verbally depict the world as it will exist ifthe plan is or is not instituted, and contrast these possibilities • Action • Call for audience commitment and action • Be specific • Monroe’s Motivated Sequence is commonly used in advertising to persuade…

14. Delivery Tips • A speaker is always “on stage” • They are “on” from moment they are announced, to the time they return to their place in the audience • Pause before beginning • Vary intonation • A slightly faster pace increases audience comprehension • Maintain good eye contact • Assume a relaxed, open posture,with few self-adaptors/touch

15. (Sometimes, “less” is “more”)Talk low, talk slow anddon’t say too much. John Wayne

16. The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as arightly timed pause. Mark Twain

17. To Minimize Anxiety • Convert anxiety to presentational energy • Recognize that mild arousal is normal • Seek public speaking opportunities • More speaking experience=less anxiety • Avoid stimulants • Eat and sleep enough • Deep breathing, activity andrelaxation may help

18. Practice the Presentation • Rehearse • Your emotional state • Transitions (this is where many speakers experience the most difficulty) • Introduction and Conclusion

19. Become Familiar With the Room • Messages are perceived betterin an attractive room • Check-out the sound systemand lighting • Become familiar with audiovisual (AV) technologies • Plan for water, pointer, etc.

20. Always Have A Back-Up Plan • What if the AV fails? • Have a lo-tech back-up • What if your available timeis diminished? • Eliminate sub-points • Don’t speed rate • What if you misplace your speech? • Keep an extra copy, or quickly construct an outline

21. FAQ’s • What if I make a mistake? • Remember that most speakers make them • Correct it; humor is ok • Move ahead • Don’t apologize profusely or start over • How can I avoid saying “Um?” • Employ speaking transitions • Tolerate silence

22. FAQ’s • How can I slow down? • Pause between sections. Stop at the end of sentences. Underline key words. • Tape record your practice sessions and count the words per minute. Then, practice speaking at a deliberately slower rate to gain conscious control over rate.

23. FAQ’s • What about eye contact? • Don’t bob your head up and down • Don’t fix your gaze at one person • Look up at the end of a section, rather than lose your place, or train of thought • Face the audience, not your slides • Look more at friendly, supportive people • Don’t favor one side of the room • Increased eye contact increases audience learning

24. FAQ’s • What do I do with my hands? • Don’t play with your hair, clothes, objects or jingle money in your pockets • Don’t worry about your gestures--they will emerge naturally • Keep your hands on or near the podium, or at your sides. Don’t cross your arms, or clasp your hands in front of your body.

25. Audience Q&As • Anticipate potential questions • Draft answers • Listen to the question • Read the emotion • Don’t get defensive and never embarrass an audience member • Maintain an open and relaxed posture • Admit to not having an answer • “I really can’t speak to that; I will refer that concern to….”

26. I’m glad this question came up,in a way, because there are so many ways to answer it that one if them is bound to be right.Robert Benchley I was gratified to be able to answer promptly. I said, “I don’t know.”Mark Twain

27. In Closing • Speaking in public represents an opportunity to enhance knowledge, change attitudes, and promote action • Most importantly, strive to communicate with your audience and to meet their unique needs • The speaker has a responsibility to communicate publicly in an informed and ethical manner

28. Source: Cohn, E. Public Speaking,University of PittsburghCenter for Instructional Development & Distance Education,Fifth Edition, January 2001.