18th Oct2010

Tips on speaking to persuade

by Rich

So what should you look to include in a speech designed to persuade your audience or bring them round to your way of thinking? Here are the things I think that you should include – let me know if you have anything to add in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

1. An introduction that gives a history or brief overview of the topic that your speech will be covering.

2. An odd number of sections within the main body of your speech. Each section should cover an argument for or against the topic you are talking on. Ultimately, if you are ‘for’ the topic, the majority of these sections should contain arguments ‘for’ and vice versa if you are ‘against’.

3. A conclusion that defines your opinion on the topic and reiterates the points you have made and why tese points are important and should be adopted as opinion by your audience.

4. Facts and figures – use real examples and statistics to support your arguments and make them more persuasive. A strong example or stat cn stick in the mind of your audience for days, weeks and years after you give your speech.

5. Be strong with your language – use powerful, commited language when talking about your point of view and not weak words such as ‘maybe’, ‘perhaps’ or ‘possibly’. How can your audience believe your point of view if your language suggests that you do not believe it personally?

Category : Public Speaking Tips
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14th Oct2010

Tips for technical presentations

by Rich

Ok, so here’s what I’ve got on my list as ‘technical presentation best practice’ (if there is such a thing?). I hope it helps you with your technical presentation and if I have missed anything, please do leave your own hints and experiences in the comments at the end of this post.

1. Use a structure that explains and positions the presentation and project at the beginning, gives the detail in the middle, and concludes with a summary of main points and actions going forward

2. Tailor your content and language to your audience. The topic may be technical, but are they?

3. Display complex facts, theories and diagrams in multiple ways. For example as graphs, tables, lists or videos – we all learn and take in information in different ways, so give your audience the best chanc possible to take in your messages!

4. Ask rhetorical questions or gain input from your audience. If your speech is especially long, or without too many highlights, this is a great way to keep your audience engaged and to discover any areas that need covering in more detail.

5. If there is too much to cover, or not enough time for you to go into full details on every area of the project, why not include a slide or handout with additional resources on it? This will help your audience to understand your topic more fully, research it in their own time and will help to keep your speech or presentation at the top of their minds for days to come!

Category : Public Speaking Tips
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10th Oct2010

What is the best structure for a speech?

by Rich

What is the best structure for a speech? – is something I’ve spent quite some time contemplating recently. Is it best to stick to a rigid, tried and tested structure for each speech, with a clear beginning and ending, or should you try and break the mould?

Contemplating this has probably created more questions than it has answered. Questions such as ‘is there really such thing as speaking ‘best practice?’ and ‘is public speaking really just as subjective as art?’.

Such questions could be a whole evening of conversation for a group of keen speakers and might even have some not-so-keen speakers in deep contemplation too – what are your thoughts on this?

So has something useful come of my pondering? I hope so – over the next few weeks I will be trying to define what ‘should’ be done in different types of speech. For example, best practice and tips and tricks for technical presentations or good structure practice for an inspiring speech.

Over the next few weeks i’ll post thoughts on what should be included for each type of speech here and I would really appreciate everyone else’s input. I’m sure I couldn’t possibly cover everything and it may be that you have learnt something original about speaking that could really do with sharing with the world – please do share it here!

Look out for tips on technical speeches, tips for inspiring speeches, tips for speaking to persuade others, tips for speaking to inform, tips fo facilitating discusion with your speaking, tips on speaking to entertain, tips on speaking at special occasions and more in the coming weeks!

Wow, I’d better get writing!

Category : Public speaking riffs, Public Speaking Tips
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