Components of a Great Speech
Preparation
First first step is to be prepared. Getting up in front of a crowd of people is daunting enough by itself, but if you don’t know what you are going to say, then it will be that much more stressful. Whether you are speaking for a stadium full of people or just a class-room size audience, the stares and attention of a group can render you speechless. So save yourself the possibility of embarassment and take the time to write your speech ahead of time.
The written word, however, is much different than the spoken word. As you write your speech, consider the subtle and unique inflections in your voice and the mannerisms that make you who you are. Think about how you would say it, rather than just how it could be read. When you get on stage, you can improvise sections to make it more personal, but this should also be taken into consideration during the writing stage. Speeches should be at least remotely conversational.
You should also be thinking about the organization. Especially if you are trying to convince your audience of a point, how you present your ideas and in what order is important. List your various points in a logical fashion and present them as such so that you don’t lose your audience. Anecdotes should be interspersed with logical points, and transitions should be clear and concise.
If you have visual aids, incorporate those into your organization. You don’t want to be discussing Point C and pointing to the visuals for Point A because your audience will be confused. Neatly label each visual so that you stay on top of things while you are speaking. It is certainly not a crime to make things easy on yourself!
Once your speech is written, it should be read allowed to be judged for continuity and relevancy. Some orators like to record their speeches on tape, and then listen to them as the audience will hear it. If you want to go the extra mile, videotape a practice performance to get the full effect. If there are things that you dislike, or if you think of a better way to say something, then change it in your written document. Your original is not engraved in stone, and can be altered as you see fit.
Beyond the original read-through, you should practice your speech a minimum of ten times before you actually give it in public. If it needs to be memorized, then you will of course need to practice much more. Some orators prefer to have the entire document in front of them, while others take note cards or nothing at all. If this is your first speech. I recommend that you bring the entire thing to lessen your nerves and ensure success.
The Day Of Your Speech
Before you deliver, run through your speech one last time on your own to work out any last-minute kinks. If it helps, ask a friend or family member to listen while you talk and to give feedback on your presence and content. The advice of others is invaluable when planning a speech because they will invariably notice things that you yourself might not.
Drink plenty of fluids before going on stage, and if necessary, suck on throat lozenges or mints to keep your voice sharp and healthy. If you have been practicing quite a bit, your throat might be raw and will take away from the sound of your voice. People who give speeches often must be very careful of their voice, as microphones aren’t always enough to carry your voice to the back of a room.
Delivery
The essence of a great speech is in its delivery. I don’t mean in the volume of your voice, but in the way you speak; orators are known for their idiosyncrisies that are unique to them, for the gestures they make with their hands and their movements on stage. Find your niche, or your personal way of speaking, in order to capture the attention of your audience.
Hand gestures are helpful because they convey your emotions on the topic, and save you from keeping your hands plastered to your sides. If you are speaking behind a podium, this isn’t as much of an issue, but if this is a “free-range” speech, then you should use your hands as you talk.
You should also work outside the box. As a speaker, you have a “box,” which is three-foot square around your person as you speak. Feel free to reach outside of that box and involve your audience. Cover the entire stage so that you keep your audience’s eyes moving, and refrain from standing in one place for too long. This will keep the minds of your audience members active, and will also keep you emotionally connected to your speech.
Helpful Tips
1. Make Eye Contact – continually make eye contact with different members of your audience. It will make them feel as though you are speaking directly to them.
2. Ask Questions – To form a statistical analysis, as for hands on a particular question, or even feedback from specific audience members. This is the difference between one- and two-dimensional speeches.
3. Be Energetic – this may or many not work, depending on your personality. If you are naturally gregarious, let that side of your personality leak through to your speech.
4. Tell Jokes – if you are funny! I say this because you don’t want to ruin your credibility by telling a bad joke. Try them out on friends before telling them to an audience.
5. Invite The Opposition – if your speech is one meant to persuade, don’t be afraid to bring up the opposition. Lend professional credence to a few of the oppositions’ points, then explain to your audience why your opinions differ.
6. Appeal To Emotions – it isn’t beneath a professional orator to emotionally involve their audience. If the subject matter at all calls for an emotional story, give one! It will make your audience sympathetic to your cause.
