Speech Tips!

Over the next few classes, you will be given the opportunity to deliver a speech.  Writing a speech is quite different from other types of writing, so I've put together a few tips here to help you out.

Voice

There is nothing more boring than listening to someone drone on in a robotic monotone for five minutes.  Check your intonation and inflection!  Make it sound natural, with some emphasis on key words; don't overdo it!  When you speak to your friends, do you sound like a robot?  So why deliver your speech like one?  Consider that really, even everyday speech is like a song, with the emphasis on different words and parts of speech used to convey feelings.  That said, I think I'd rather claw my eyes out than listen to someone put on a fake overdone tone to their speech, or someone who is just too excited!

In other words, don't be like this guy:

Nor like this:

As shown in class, something like the David Sedaris videos we watched is not a bad approach, as he is natural and develops a rapport with the audience.  That said, you don't need to read from a script :)

Organization and Content

This really should be self evident, but avoiding basic errors in logic by not unknowingly contradicting yourself is pretty important.  Don't repeat yourself unless the repetition is serving some particular purpose in the delivery of your speech.  Watch your diction and syntax.  In other words, be sure you've edited your speech for clarity and flow.

For content, avoid truisms as well as blase or common topics.  Don't know what a truism is?  Look it up!  Don't use them in your writing or speeches, again unless they serve a particular purpose.

Rapport

Developing a rapport with your audience is key to a great speech.  This means that your speech should have engaging content while keeping the audience interested and attentive.  This takes practice, but here are some things to consider: 

• Who is your audience?  Who are you speaking to?  
• Will they get your jokes, the references you make, the types of vocabulary you use?  
• What type of speech are you giving?  Don't speak like a debater if you are not in a debate!
• Is the content of the speech relevant to the audience on any level?  
• What type of environment are you giving your speech in?
• What is appropriate and what is not?

These are some tips, but the most important one is to simply be comfortable.  The audience can pick up when you are nervous.  If you are nervous, this will affect your overall speech and how it is received.  So. . .

RELAX!

Think happy thoughts and be in a happy place :P

Of course, the more you speak publicly, the easier it gets, so consider the assignments for our class simply a few steps towards becoming a better speaker.

Break a leg!

El Generalissimo