Communicate with Confidence/Project Report

              ... make a strong, startling or controversial statement
.. a relevant quote.
... a visual aid
... use humour... i. e. an ad- lib or one- liner
Now that you have their attention, go on with...
" THE BODY". This is the bulk of the speech where you
give the information, background, description, facts and
figures, etc. Try to keep it precise and in some order, ( ie:
make points in chronological order or order of importance.
In most cases, you make the point, then give the ' proof
( backup, argument, description, etc.) However, if each
' point' has a common proof, give all points then the
common denominator, ( ie: " Therefore ").
Now , in one sentence or two, go to...
" THE CONCLUSION". This is your chance to leave a
final thought with the audience. It may be an appeal or
suggestion; ( ie: " With these points I have made, I urge [ or
encourage] you to '), a final statement or argument;
( ie: " I believe that I have proven "), or an overall
conclusion: ( ie: ' This is the information I was asked to
research"). Only when you have the actual speech can you
determine the exact conclusion it needs. This sentence is
the one that will be most remembered, so be sure it is
powerful.
WAKE UP!!!
( Hook)
THIS IS MY STORY ( Body)
REMEMBER THIS!
( Conclusion)
A BAKER'S DOZEN OF HINTS
1. ALWAYS STAND UP... Even in a small group or for a
short statement. Your voice is stronger and clearer when
standing. The audience will pay more attention if they can
see you. You can see and read' them, [ do they understand?
do they have questions?, etc.] It shows you have the floor
[ prevents interruptions]
2. ALWAYS FACE THE AUDIENCE... If you are
speaking from the floor, face as much of the audience as
possible. It's best to speak from the front of the room.
3. U S E MICROPHONE If there's a microphone
available. use it. We have all heard a speaker who asks ( in a
loud voice) " Can you hear me?" We agree. Then he proceeds
with his speech, slowly losing volume.. and his audience. If
the audience has to struggle to hear you, they'll probably
quit listening.
4. ETIQUETTE.... The Chairperson has given you
permission to speak, whether verbally or by a nod of the
head, so always start by recognising him/ her, then turning
to the audience and addressing them. NOTE: If someone has
introduced you to speak, you start by thanking that person,
then addressing the Chair and audience. If there is a head
table and/ or special guests, use this order.. . Thank
introducer.. Recognise Chair, Head Table Guests, Special
Guests, Audience.
5. SPEAK SLOWLY, CLEARLY & CONCISELY
... When we are nervous, we tend to speak quickly. The
audience has to have time to assimilate what you are saying.
Use short sentences: long wandering sentences often just
lose the audience. ( They have to remember from the
beginning.) Don't wander off subject or get into
unnecessary details. The audience has offered you this time
and attention to make a point. make it! Use language that
everyone will understand.
6. AVOID ' VERBAL' PUNCTUATION... Wetendtouse
' a h h \ ' errr'. ' heh', etc. when we are nervous or thinking of
what to say next. Train yourself just to pause. A moment of
silence as you frame your thoughts is less irritating to the
listener than meaningless sounds.
7. INFLECTION:... Be careful not to make your
statements sound like questions. The inflection at the end of
a sentence, when it is not really a question, indicates that
you are unsure about your facts and about yourself. ( You're
not asking... you're telling.)
8. VISUAL AIDS.. Although it is unusual to use visual
aids in an impromptu speech, you may need to
illustrate. chart, or make notes on a flip chart or blackboard.
OR, you may have a chart, picture, diagram with you that
you wish to share with the audience. Have the blackboard or
flip chart positioned so that you do not need to turn your
back completely to the audience. [ If you are right handed,
have the board/ chart to your left. As you write on it, you can
look over your right shoulder to the audience]. Write big, so
that all can see. Vary colours to separate points, ideas,
sections, etc. When using pictures, etc. be sure they are
large enough for all to see. If not, pass them around.
[ FOR MORE INFO on all forms of visual aids, see related
materia] in Chapter2]