acy1002 Public Speaking & Communication

1. acy1002Public Speaking & Communication Making a Presentation —& Listening to One Week 3 Lecture Dr Simon Brook Simon.brook@vu.edu.au

2. Key issues in this lecture • What makes a speaker effective? • Effective speaking. • Effective preparation. • Structure. • Feeling comfortable face to face. • Presenting comfortably (even if it’s not how you feel). • ‘Owning the space.’ • Taking centre stage.

3. Thinking about “effective speaking” • Is it reflected in memorability— e.g. John Howard’s most memorable line as prime minister of Australia (2001)? • http://museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/discoverycentre/identity/videos/politics-videos/john-howards-2001-election-campaign-policy-launch-speech/ • The line that won an election:But we will decide who comes to this countryand the circumstances in which they come. • Or, with emphasis:Bútwé will decíde who cómes to this cóuntryand the círcumstánces in whích they cóme.

4. Effective speaking • Sounds Like… • Vocal Confidence. • Clear Message. • First impressions... • Body Language. • Eye Contact. • Good listening.

5. Effective preparation • Think of it as scaffolding for your presentation. Good preparation enables a good structure, and structure is essential for building a good speech: • Identify your aims. • Identify your audience. • Identify the physical circumstances. • Map out your time. • Remember what you need to (not what you don’t). • Rehearse!

6. Structure • ‘What is your point?’ • Nothing matters more to a speech: that’s how you know it’s your (main) point… • But also, nothing matters more to a speech: without a point, it’s pointless! • Arrange your speech so your point is clear and credible: • Everything you say should be a reminder of the point you’re trying to make. • Make clear links with every issue you discuss, so listeners can hear how each one is evidence for (or against) your point. • Your point needs to last long after the speech has finished: • You combat the evanescence of speech by manipulating the memory of your listeners. • Structure your speech so that listeners will remember what they need to. • Safire (2004) suggests the simplest method: tell them what you’re going to say (anticipate your point); then say it (make your point); then tell them what you said (repeat your point)… • Another way to put this is: introduction; main body; conclusion.

8. Presenting as though you’re comfortable • Breath. • Tension. • Content anchors. • ‘Staying on message.’ • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDV3eISLPs. Keep Breathing!

9. ‘Owning the space’ • Meet your audience. • Find your levels: • How does a quiet person command a space? • Do women and men occupy speaking roles the same way? (Or adults and children? Or people from different cultural backgrounds?) • Be sure to ‘know what you know.’ • Listen to (and watch) your audience. • Exercise: Breathing.

10. Taking centre stage • Once you get up to speak, your audience will expect you to set the mood for them. • Think about (and manipulate): • Your pace. • Pauses. • Your volume. • Your tune – e.g. major and minor speaking. • Keywords or ‘hot button phrases.’ • Repetition, repetition, clarity, and repetition.

11. Work ahead… • Assessment #3 begins thissession: • This is a reminder to let yourself be guided by the assessment criteria (Unit Guide, p. 6). • As a guide to what you should know, going into this assessment: we expect you to be familiar with the lecture materials we have covered so far, plus the readings for Sessions 1-3. • And continues next session: • Note that there are still no props until Day 3, when we shall start using PowerPoint slides for speeches. • Assessment #2: • Speeches and scripts are due Day 4, Session 2. • Next week we shall begin brainstorming topics for your groups to work with. • How are you going with the Unit readings so far (especially Lucas)? • Any questions? • About anything in this unit so far?