Every student's nightmare..... a speech (and how you can ace one)
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| Speech, are you ready? |
An article on how you can charm hundreds, just with your words.
They say all’s well that ends well - but that’s definitely not true for speeches. The first impression is what you’re aiming for. The opening part of your speech; for once you have their attention - that’s when your speech makes a real impact.
Always have a phenomenal attention grabber. Be it by stating facts, a dramatic quote, an interactive approach, humor, a story, or the good ol’ loud opener. It excites the audience about what’s to come, building an eagerness to pay attention to the rest of the speech.
While it is okay to read parts of your speech, trying not to do that leaves you with great results. To think of how some of the classmates gave their speech, without having to refer to note cards, the effect was fantastic (atleast when they remembered everything). It allows your audience to connect with you, showing that you ‘know your stuff’ and adds a credible authenticity that any listener would hope for. It you’re constantly reading, your speech could be a disaster that no one can follow.
While giving the speech, the posture that some people had was intriguing. Two girls were swinging with each sentence, two guys were fidgeting with their legs, never standing straight. The fact that I know this means that it takes your attention away from your content, building uncertainty among the audience. Another such distraction is when your voice doesn’t follow your text. The modulation is supposed to match the context. If you sing your speech, it loses its emphasis. If you mismatch your tone, you take away the pathos of the speech, and confuse the audience.
Carly Snyder's speech was one example of a perfect speech for me. It embodied the idea of looking into the audience's eyes, speaking with fluency and modulation, knowing your content well enough to not read, aim for a good opening that grips the audience, and then delivering the speech with appropriate progression. Even better is a great ending, the leaves a good 'after-taste' or an impressionable appeal that audience remembers for a while even after your speech is over.
A good speech requires style. You are putting to words your passion and education, communicating your ideas and beliefs. To be believable, inspiring and moreover, interesting, having a good attitude and a smart style keeps your audience hooked till the end. Steve Jobs was known for his style. Check this out:
When you have your content, delivery and presentation in check, it is time to work on your own physicality. I would be thrilled to listen to a well attired individual, like how Bevin was for his speech. A sharp look gives a sense of curiosity and fascination, that drives an intrigue in the audience's mind. The audience wants to hear someone who looks appealing - it shows effort!
One of the most problematic and awkward confusion every speaker has, is the use of our hands during a speech. In the absence of a podium, it acts as the most inappropriate appendage of our body. There are different ways you can keep your hands in place. Take a look at this :
By now, you should be prepared to give a good speech. Remember that it is your speech. We all love a good speech. Why? Cause for every studdent, a speech is the most boring activity that they could be asked to be a part of. However, a good speaker can make this dreaded activity a fun, inspiring and motivating event. Strive to speak like someone you would want to ear talking!
On that note, here's the best speeches of history. (It's a long list, have fun checking it out!)
I really like how you talk about how first impressions are important! I also agree Carly did a fantastic job for her speech! Confusing components of your speech in front of your audience I do agree can be detrimental to one's speech. Be sure to be consistent. I also like how you emphasize at the end that in the end the speaker is the one who has the power during the speech not the audience!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about bad posture and fidgeting hurting a speech. I personally distinctly remember watching someone speak (years ago, not anyone in this class) and being distracted by the fact that she fixed her hair every several seconds while she was speaking. As well, you make a very good point about the power of speaking without notecards; I personally agree that it is always far more impressive when a speaker does not rely on or even use them.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with this a speaker a lot! Although, during the speech I rarely know what my awkward body is even doing, but after people explain to me what I looked like in front of the entire class. I think it's really important to just be comfortable with yourself before going in front of others so you can give a better delivery.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you mentioned that the delivery is one of the most important parts. The speeches that I particularly remember from our class, are the ones that instantly jumped out at me because it grabbed my attention. Posture is an extremely important part, it is also hard because most of the time I feel like speakers are unaware of what their body is doing while they are trying to focus on their voice.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that first impressions make a huge impact as to how the rest of the speech goes. It is kind of a make or break situation as to whether the audience is going to decide to listen to the rest of your speech or not. I also like how you mentioned posture because as an audience member, when people speak it is all to easy to get distracted by the speaker's inability to stand still.
ReplyDeleteWhat I loved about this is how you not only gave an example of a person notable for speaking publicly, like Jobs, but you also used an example from the class. Because you did this, it was easier to understand that posture and first impressions are so important and then connect those concepts with Carly's speech.
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