Friday, March 19, 2010
Let's Get Started
I'm Milt Wood, and I'll be posting some of my thoughts and articles about the most feared of human activities... public speaking. As for my "license to practice," you can scan my bio on the right margin of this blog. If I pass along any ideas of value to you, let me know. I'm also interested in any additional ideas you have that can be of benefit to all of us. So, let's get started! By the way, see some of my public speaking resources at www.TeachPublicSpeaking.net
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
THE “BEEN-THERE/DONE-THAT” ADVANTAGE
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood
Ater scouting Toastmaster contest winners for a number of years I have made an important discovery! Speeches that win frequently contain the Been-There/Done-That advantage. This is true for both the spring and fall Toastmaster International speech competitions
My scouting report reveals three guidelines that can put the magic of “Been-There/ Done-That” in your next speech:
Guideline #1. Identify Been-There Events.
Sit down at your computer and start outlining “been-there” experiences that stand out in your mind. Don’t rush. Go back in time. Look for amusing and/or life-changing events that can serve as a theme for your presentation.
Did I hear you say that nothing has happened to you that you can build a speech around? Wrong! There are literally hundreds of things you have experienced—and are experiencing—that provide worthy speech material. Fortunately, a been-there experience doesn’t have to be extreme to be a candidate. In fact, an ordinary experience can be just as powerful as having climbed every mountain in North America.
Guideline # 2: Entertain Me
Sorry to tell you this, but today’s audiences want to be entertained! This doesn’t mean they want to “die laughing;” but, they do want the pleasure of learning something new, hearing a new angle on an old theme, or the warm humor that comes from a shared experience. This is true regardless of your subject matter.
First of all, listeners enjoy hearing about other people’s lives! Why? Because this is one of the primary ways we come up with new things to try and to rule out things we shouldn’t try. Tell listeners how you enjoyed your recent cruise to the Bahamas and they will delight in the anticipation of making the cruise themselves. Or, tell them about the trials and tribulations of being a parent and they will laugh as you describe the thrill of changing a dirty diaper at three in the morning. Even when an idea is not new to listeners, there is a sense of pleasure that comes from the validation and replay of the feelings, experiences and beliefs they already hold.
Lest we forget, one of the great benefits of a been-there experience is the fact that there are few limits on the humor you can direct toward yourself. As long as you make yourself the focus of your humor it is pretty difficult to offend some unknown listener.
Guideline # 3: The Moral of Your Story
Now it is time to extract the essence of your been-there experience—that simple sentence or two with special appeal and authority because you were there!
When you build the whole of your speech around a been-there experience the concluding “moral” is easy. It’s easy because you have known the focus of your presentation from the start. All that is needed is to isolate your nuggets of wisdom, shine them up, and present them for the audience to see.
The been-there component in your speech makes your conclusion special in several ways: (a) your real-life experience provides a special authority that gives validity to your conclusions, (b) it is inherently entertaining, and (c) you avoid being “preachy” by allowing your audience to pull from your experience and decide for themselves.
If your been-there experience was only a single story in a longer speech, it offers a special opportunity to use your story as an anchor (a repeated idea or theme) during your speech and in your conclusion. The subtle use of an anchor can add humor, increase memory and give a sense of completeness to any presentation.
As speakers we continue to have the responsibility to be persuasive and to direct the attention of our listeners to important issues. The been-there alternative offers another powerful way to maximize the power of the spoken word and even win a few more contests.
Tell’em vs Discovery Speech Formats.
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, 2010
At a Toastmaster meeting this morning, a speaker’s evaluator recommended that the speaker always “tell the audience what you are going to tell them” during the opening comments of a speech. This is good advice when a typical “Tell‘em” format is used. For example, you “tell‘em what you’re going to tell‘em,” you “tell‘em,” and, you “tell‘em what you told’em.” This type of format is called an inductive approach and is applicable to about any kind of presentation. It is effective because; (1) the opening sets up an expectancy in the minds of listeners for what they are going to hear, (2) the body elaborates the ideas presented, and (3) the conclusion reviews what has been said. All of these things enhance logical flow and memory.
There is, however, another approach that can be used in designing a presentation---this is a “Discovery” approach that is deductive in nature. In other words, listeners are not told what the major theme of the presentation will be; but, it is designed so they discover the theme as the presentation continues. This kind of format is seldom appropriate for the workplace, or for many other kinds of presentations; but, it can often be used with great effect when a speech is carefully crafted to achieve an “aha” moment. The challenge is to subtly lead the minds of your listeners to this “aha” moment when they suddenly discover the main message of the presentation. From a psychological point-of-view, an idea or concept can have more impact if listeners “discover” a concept on their own rather than simply being told what the concept is.
In summary, whether one decides to use a Tell’em approach or a Discovery approach is entirely up to the speaker. What is important, is to be consciously aware of what approach you choose to use knowing that a Discovery approach requires more care, and perhaps more skill, than the good ol’ Tell’em format. ☼
One-time copyright is granted if the author’s name and website is included. www.TeachPublicSpeaking.net
Breathing and Public Speaking Anxiety
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, 2010
Next time you start to feel a bit light headed, or beads of sweat begin to form on your brow, remind yourself that you are experiencing the Fight of Flight syndrome. When this happens it helps to know what is happening and one good way to slow the process down.
The "Fight or Flight" response is very important when we confront a threat that could injure or kill us, (e.g., a stranger confronting us at night); but, it is not healthy when a long-term, generalized feeling of threat is experienced during everyday life. Examples include having to give a speech next week.
When one perceives a threat, a number of physiological things happen as extra adrenaline prepares us for "fight or flight." Heart rate increases, blood clotting factor increases, vision narrows, perspiration increases, and among other things, breathing rate increases to provide more oxygen to the blood. All of these responses are automatic except breathing. Our breathing rate is not only under automatic control but is also under conscious control!
We can take advantage of this in a way that helps quiet our feelings of threat and stress. If we consciously make an effort to take slow, deep breaths, we are essentially telling our body that the perceived threat isn't as bad as it thinks. This results in a slowing-down of the Fight or Flight response. Not only does this give us a feeling of relief, but it has at least two other advantages: (a) when we breathe rapidly we can over oxygenate our body with the result that we feel "light headed." When we slow our breathing rate with deep breathing we provide the body with adequate oxygen but we get rid of the feeling of light headedness; and, (b) when we allow ourselves to remain in a constant state of perceived threat or stress, we overwork our adrenaline system and all of the body systems that are activated by adrenaline. This is often the source of Adrenaline Fatigue.
Next time you feel the Fight or Flight response taking hold, slow your breathing rate with some comfortable, slow, deep breaths. Add this tactic to all of the mental formulas Milt Wood recommends in his CD Manage Your Public Speaking Anxiety and life behind the lectern will become more enjoyable! ☼
(One-time copyright granted to users citing Milton Wood as author and his website www.TeachPublicSpeaking.net/)
RESEARCH THE WEB WITH TWO EASY STEPS
ReplyDeleteMilton E. Wood, 2010.
Ever throw up your hands in frustration when trying to find something on the web!? If you have, here’s a two-step approach that will sooth your nerves and help you find what you’re looking for.
Step 1. Come up with the best set of key words or “descriptors” you can find. Occasionally, a one-word descriptor will take you where you want to go. More often than not, a one-word search results in 5000 hits, most of them totally off target. This is a “red flag” that cries out, “Be more specific!”
One way to be more specific is to approach each search with the intention of refining your descriptors as you conduct your search. Look for key words you may not have thought of in the text of related articles. Often times a headline, reference or link suggests additional descriptors that will point you in the right direction.
Step 2. Narrow your search with Boolean logic. George Boole, a French mathematician, invented a symbolic logic system that most search engines use to search the web. Without going into the details of this system, here are two Boolean search strategies that will solve most of your search problems.
Search with a phrase: Let’s say you want to include some reference to the phrase “to be or not to be” in your next presentation. However, you aren’t sure who used these words and you want to include more of this famous saying in your presentation. Simple problem! When you want to link words together into a phrase all you have to do is enclose the phrase with quotation marks. Example: “to be or not to be”. Enter this in the search window of your search engine and you’ll quickly find the full scene from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” (1600-01).
Search for words in the same order but not together: This can be very useful---particularly when you can’t think of a phrase but can come up with some descriptive key words. For example, you want to tell your audience how many people were killed by lightning last year. After a few moments thought you come up with the words “lightning,” “killed,” and “annually.” Your next step is to instruct your search engine to find documents that contain these words, somewhere, in some sequence. There are three options you can use with most search engines. Option 1: put a + sign in front of each word. Your entry would look like this: +lightning +killed +annually. Option 2: separate each word with a semi-colon. Your entry would look like this: lightning;killed;annually. Option 3: separate each word with the word “and.” Your entry would look like this: lightning and killed and annually.
Give it a try right now. Jackpot! Right at the top of the list are articles describing how many lightning deaths per million, lightning deaths relative to other forms of disaster, etc.
Search using the “Advanced Search” capabilities of most search engines:! Most search engines have what is called an “Advanced Search” capability. For example, Google’s® Advanced Search gives you four methods of automatic Boolean search: they include (1) with all the words, (2) with any of the words, (3) with none of the words and (4) with the exact phrase. Yanhoo®, Lycos®, Altavista®, and most other search engines provide the same Advanced Search capabilities. All you have to do is enter your key words into any given advanced search window---no Boolean symbology is required!
If you wonder why you may have missed this powerful advanced-search capability it’s probably because the Advanced Search link on your search engine home page is captioned in very small letters. Regardless, stop wandering around the internet and start experimenting with the powerful search tools available on the web. In no time you can fill your next presentation with an array of dazzling facts and citations.
(One-time use granted if author's name and URL included.)
ANXIETY ANTIDOTE FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, 2010
Public speaking anxiety can be caused by any number of things; for example, our mental labels or things like inadequate practice, new surroundings, etc. When public speaking anxiety is experienced it is almost always associated with what is called the “Fight or Flight response.” This is an automatic set of physiological events that occur when we perceive what we think is a threat. Our heart rate increases, our eyes dilate, our breathing rate increases, and a number of other fight-or-flight events occur that prepare us for survival. As mentioned in the above article on deep breathing, our ability to control our breathing rate is the only part of the fight or flight response that is under both conscious and autonomic control. When we consciously slow down our breathing rate, we signal the body that the threat may also be “under control.” We also bypass the feeling of light-headedness that can come from rapid breathing. HOWEVER, here is another “no brainer” that can be added to the ways we can manage our public speaking anxiety. Why not help neutralize the “Fight or Flight Response” by using the “Relaxation Response?”
What is the Relaxation Response? Herbert Benson, MD, has given this name to a method we can use to literally condition ourselves to relax. In this case the Relaxation Response doesn’t happen automatically; it’s something anyone can practice ten or 15 minutes a day to help bring the fight or flight response under control. When we are successful, we can voluntarily call up a feeling of relaxation anytime we begin to feel the stress that can activate a full-blown fight or flight response.
How do we practice this “Relaxation Response?” Fortunately, this is no great mystery because the relaxation response is learned by simply practicing the initial relaxation exercises used in activities like meditation or hypnotherapy. If you are not familiar with either technique, here’s one way to begin your practice.
Find a quiet place that is away from distractions. If you wish, quietly play some music that you find relaxing but does not tempt you to analyze or follow-along. Sit in a relaxed way and step outside of your immediate concerns. Begin by focusing your attention on your breathing. Take slow, deep, breaths. Let any feelings of stress be blown-out with each exhale. If you wish, visualize yourself sitting on a beach, your toes in the sand, and a warm, salty breeze brushing your face.
As you sit there, begin a process of consciously tensing and relaxing the major muscles of your body. Begin with your neck muscles. Tense them strongly for a few seconds and then relax and let the tenseness go. Move to your right shoulder and arm. Tense and relax and let the tenseness go. Then your right hand. Make a fist, relax and let the tenseness go. Follow this procedure for your left shoulder and hand. As you go through this process, visualize any feelings of tenseness or stress evaporating into the air around you.
If the concerns of the day try to invade your thoughts, acknowledge them and let them go. This is easier said than done; but, with practice you can learn to let the concerns of the day step aside.
Once you have mastered this feeling of relaxation, just call it up when feelings of stress begin to invade your mind. It's a powerful technique appropriate not only for public speaking anxiety but for our daily lives as well.
Try it! Ten to fifteen minutes a day. You’ll like it. ☼
(One time use granted if author and web site is cited.)
SPEAKER INTRODUCTIONS
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, April 24, 2010
You’ve heard the old saw, “Hit the ground running!” That’s exactly what a good speaker introduction will help you do. So, what is a good introduction? Although a speaker introduction needs to be short and concise, there are some important guidelines that help us get the most effect from the least words.
First of all, write your own introduction and require the person introducing you to read it just like you wrote it. If you don’t, you’ll likely not recognize what comes out of the mouth of your introducer! Often times you’ll receive an embarrassing litany that is hard to live up to; and, you will lose the impact you so carefully designed into your introduction.
The first part of a good introduction contains your “license to operate.” By this I mean, what background do you have that qualifies you to speak on your topic? Work experience? Training? Exciting adventure? Been there done that? Parenting? Researcher? Etc.? Don’t be bashful about “tooting your own horn,” your listeners want to know if you know what you are talking about from either an informed or a “been there done that” experience.
The second part of your introduction should tell your listeners why you are excited about your topic. In just a few words, tell them why you have gone to the trouble to put together your presentation and what you hope they will gain from listening to you. Since this is the last part of your introduction, make sure your comments blend smoothly into the opening remarks of your presentation. This is where “you hit the ground running!”
When possible, it is very effective to insert a little personal humor into your introduction. Not a joke, but some subtle bit of humor that gets a smile and demonstrates to the audience that you are “just one of them.”
Introductions are very important! After writing out your introduction, get with the person introducing you and review your words. And, don’t forget, have them read it just like you wrote it! ☼
(One-time copyright granted if author and website are mentioned.)
THE REAL WORLD
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, May 4, 2010
I’m always getting ideas when I attend one of my Toastmaster meetings. This last week it occurred to me that we create a pristine environment for our speakers. No one talks during our presentations. No one gets up and leaves. No cell phones go off. No unexpected squeals from poorly adjusted sound systems. No noise from meetings in an adjoining room. Admittedly, this is well and good because Toastmasters is a classroom where distractions of this kind can detract from the learning process. However, when you get out into the real world, all bets are off... about anything can happen! In addition to the above, media projectors can malfunction, sound systems can go completely dead, fire engines can roar by, a member of the audience can have a heart attack... you name it!
So what’s the point? Number one, when you prepare for your first few presentations outside the class room environment, be mentally prepared for the unexpected. Some contingencies can be planned for. One of the easiest things to do is to remind yourself that the unexpected can happen and that you will need to keep your cool and gracefully handle the disruption. Some initial planning can help. For example, if you’re using a media projector that could fail, have some hard-copy notes you can use to keep your presentation on track. If you’re using a lot of notes, number the pages so you can quickly reassemble them should they be dropped. Role-play a few remarks you might make for various distractions. AND, if possible, check out your venue before Showtime to anticipate possible problems.
As for Toastmasters, maybe it would be “instructional” for advanced members to occasionally arrange (with the club’s knowledge) a staged disturbance that would provide practice for such contingencies. At least it would be entertaining for everyone! ☼
(One time use allowed if author’s name and website is included.)
Shake Hands With Your Audience
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, May 2010
You’ve seen it happen! The first words out of the mouth of the speaker remind you of a missile launch! Five hundred words a minute accompanied by body language appropriate for a Broadway play! If you’re like me, you’re saying to yourself, “Take it easy my friend, it takes a few seconds for my mind to mesh with yours… and so far I’m not impressed!”
On a lesser scale, this happens any time speakers make the assumption that an audience is mentally and emotionally ready to hear their message without some form of “set up” by the speaker. If you will recall your own listening experiences, you will remember that your mind is often somewhere else when a speaker is about to begin. The speaker’s first job is to take your mind by the hand and gently lead it in the direction of the message that is about to be delivered.
If you carefully observe the best of public speakers, you’ll notice that they take a few seconds to “shake hands” with the audience before they begin to present the meat of their presentation. By “shaking hands” I am referring to the process of connecting with the audience on a personal, conversational level, giving your listeners an opportunity to focus on, and to meet the real you. Your listeners want to know who you really are. If they like you, they are ready to listen to what you have to say and how you say it. Once this is done, whether giving an informational, inspirational or entertaining speech, you can then morph into the roles you feel are appropriate for your material. For example, sometimes you may want to assume the role of a teacher as you work through a complicated process. Other times you may become an actor telling an exciting story. Yet other times you may want to express an emotion with a few verbal exclamation points to show your approval or your frustration.
The process of shaking hands with your audience is a subtle one. The introduction read by your “introducer” can be formatted to show your true personality and interests. When you make your opening comments you can do so in a smiling, friendly, conversational manner. As you move between roles you can let your true personality show. And, when you get to your conclusion, the real you can remind your listeners what you just said.
When you are behind the lectern, be consciously aware of how you can use changes in role and character as tools that enhance the power of verbal presentations. Never forget, however, that the real you should be the visable, point-of-departure for all of the other roles you may choose to use. When an audience feels they know who you really are, they will readily accept---and be impressed by---the teacher, the actor, the guru… what ever personality type you choose to use to enhance the communication process. ☼
BRINGING MEMORIZATION ALIVE
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, May 2010
Should I memorize a speech word for word? No, not if you don’t have to.
What other option do I have?
Memorize the topics you want to speak to and then use the words needed to expand upon the topic. It’s easy to forget words but difficult to forget ideas.
Aren’t there some situations where word by
word memorization is required?
Yes. Speeches used in speech competitions and play-scripts are usually memorized because of time constraints and a desire for perfection. Also, when a speech is practiced over and over, one can’t help but memorize it.
Why can memorization be a problem?
Because it’s easy to suddenly forget what to say next.
Any other reasons?
Yes. Only practiced speakers can restore the feeling and excitement of the original words.
Why is that?
Inexperienced speakers tend to “mouth the words.” They forget the original feelings that generated the words; or, they are expressing other peoples feelings using other people’s words.
How can you tell?
Their presentations are “flat” and missing much of the vocal variety and body language that comes with spontaneous expression.
Can amateur speakers use some of the
techniques of the professional to re-capture
the freshness and natural expression that a
good script provides?
Yes, but it takes a special kind of practice and someone to provide sensitive, analytical, feedback to the speaker.
OK, tell me how the professional speaker or actor makes a memorized script come alive as if it were happening right now.
Here’s the secret. Words are merely the spoken symbols we use to express our feelings. Anytime we engage in conversation, the feeling comes first and then we try our best to express our feelings by selecting the right words, the right vocal vriety and right body language. It’s easy to go from feelings to our full arssenal of expression. We get excited, we purse our lips, we smile, we frown, we gesture; but, it is more difficult to go from memorized words to feelings and back again. The same is true when we simply read from a prepared script. Particularly when the words came from someone else’s feeling and not our own; or, it’s been so long since we translated our feelings into words that much of our original feeling has evaporated. If we want to make our memorized words seem vibrant and spontaneous we must restore the feeling from which the words came. When we do this everything else falls into place. Our vocal variety comes alive as well as the facial expressions and body language that accompanies a given “feeling.” So, how do we do this?
One excellent approach is to borrow one of the techniques actors use... it’s called Method Acting. Method acting is simple in concept and can be applied by any speaker regardless of age. The approach is to simply match one’s own experiences and feelings to the general situations and words we are saying. How does it feel when you are afraid, happy, concerned, dubious, convinced, etc? When you practice, practice feeling the feelings in addition to saying the words. After a while, the process becomes automatic. When you recall these familiar feelings and couple them to the words you are speaking... Walla!... your words literally come alive! Most importantly, it appears to your listeners that you are saying your words for the first time. This is much more exciting than listening to words that have obviously been laboriously committed to memory.
One last bit of advice from the famous film actor Jimmy Stewart, “Don’t let the acting show.” ☼
(One-time use is granted if the author’s name and website is referenced.)
WHERE OH WHERE IS THE CONCLUSION?
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, 2010
After 20 years of watching novice speakers in the Toastmaster International environment... what is the most consistent error I have observed? Answer: Not enough emphasis on the Conclusion of a presentation!
Stop and think, what is the purpose---and the power---of the conclusion to your speech. Let’s list a few:
1. Your conclusion is the “Close” of your entire presentation. The Opening of your speech and the Body of your speech are there for one primary purpose... to “set up” the summary that is stated in your conclusion.
2. Your Conclusion is what you want your listeners to take with them when they leave. The conclusion is critical because we remember best what we heard last.
3. Your conclusion should provide a neat little package that is conceptually tight and includes a brief re-statement of your major points. To use a cliche, do your audience a favor and “separate the wheat from the chaff.” Make sure they “get” your message.
4. Your conclusion should use the rule of thumb, “Give as much time to your Conclusion as you do to your Opening.” For an average speech, 15% for the Opening, 70% for the Body, and 15% for the conclusion. This is not “hard and fast;” but, don’t short-change your Conclusion with a sentence or two!
When you sit down to craft your next speech, remember the inherent power of a good conclusion. Some experts suggest that you write your conclusion first. This is good advice because it focuses all of your presentation skills on the message you want to deliver. It also solves the “good conclusion” problem because it is given first priority rather than last priority!
(One-time rights are granted if author and website are mentioned.
Handouts: When Should You Use Them”
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood, June 2010.
When should you use a handout to augment your presentation? There are a several answers to this question. If your material is complex, a handout helps your listeners understand by showing process and inter-relationships. A handout is hard copy---a real memory aid---that your listeners can take home with them for further reference. A handout gives you an opportunity to include additional information that is relevant to your topic. And, a handout offers an opportunity to advertise you, your company and your web site.
Another “when” to consider is, when should you hand out your handout? If your handout is designed specifically to help your listeners better understand process, complexity or detail, you will probably want your handout distributed before you speak. However, if your handout is simply a relativly detailed summary of your presentation... you may have a problem! Your audience may start reading your handout and “tune you out” as a speaker. Five minutes may go by and they won't hear a word you say!
This problem can be attacked in several ways. The simplest is to have your handout distributed after you speak. Tell your audience that they will receive a handout summarizing your presentation at the end of your talk. Also mention that this allows them to sit back, relax and not worry about taking detailed notes.
Another strategy is to use a handout that requires completion by the listener. A fill-in-the-blanks type handout is not only difficult to “read ahead;” but, it also requires a listener to “listen” in order to complete the handout itself.
A technique used by some professional speakers is to distribute a very streamlined, one page handout at the start of their presentation. The handout is beautifully designed; includes a simple, no-detail listing of the topics to be covered; the contact information of the speaker; and, the reader is told that they may obtain a detailed summary of the presentation by visiting a special page (URL) on the speaker’s web site. This prevents reading ahead, saves reproduction costs and sends interested listeners to the speaker’s website.
Regardless of how you plan to use your handout, remember that it is hard copy that may be reviewed over and over by multiple individuals. It is also a reflection of your professionalism in terms of its content, readability and design. Make sure it complements you and your expertise; and, sets the stage for subsequent presentations. ☼
(One-time permission given for reproduction if author’s name and website is mentioned.)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTHE “OH YES” FACTOR
ReplyDeleteMilton Wood / Aug 2010
What’s the “Oh Yes” factor? It’s the thought that runs through your listeners’ mind when they really “get” what you’re saying! Because I’m a slow learner it took me a while to get a handle on two of the most powerful Oh Yes factors. One is telling a story, and the second is... well, it’s what this article is about.
The “second” is the strategic use of members of the Analogy family. You know them all: Simile, Metaphor, Parable, Allegory and the Extended Analogy. Although there are minor differences between these several family members, they are all used to couple a new idea, experience or image to an idea, experience or image the listener already has.
The reason these guys are so powerful is based on how our brains work. If a speaker tells us that something is “like” something we already know or have experienced, we can immediately open that mental “file” and start processing the new information. For example, if we say the night was “dark as velvet,” listeners can almost feel the soft blackness that night brings. If we spell out the similarities between success and sailing a boat, the imagery of sailing a boat reinforces the ladder of success. If we wrap our idea in the personality of an animal, whether Tiger or Donkey, our listeners immediately get the idea!
As you put together your next presentation, check to see if you have included some members of the Analogy family. If you haven’t, include a few. You’ll see it’s “as easy as falling off a log!” ☼
MATCHING PRESENTATION STYLES TO SPEECH TYPE
ReplyDelete(Milton Wood, 2011)
As I was listening to a Toastmaster evaluate a member who had just given an informational speech, it occurred to me that when we act as an evaluator (or a speaker) we should be sensitive to the process of matching presentation style to the type of speech being given. If we are aware of the three basic kinds of speeches this becomes an easier task.
It is generally agreed that there are three basic presentation types: (a) speeches that inform, (b) speeches that motivate or inspire, and (c) speeches that entertain. It is true that every presentation is likely some mix of the three; but, the primary intent of a presentation usually falls into one of these three categories.
With this in mind it becomes apparent that the presentation styles of each type of speech will be different. Let’s take an informational speech as an example. An informational speech is frequently the kind of presentation we give in the workplace. We must appear competent, at ease, and in control; but, it would not be appropriate to use some of the techniques a motivational speaker may use to generate emotion, fire up enthusiasm or obtain a sense of commitment. The same would be true for a presentation style that is typical of an entertaining speech. Being “funny” or “flip” is a good entertainment strategy; but, not necessarily appropriate for the other speech types.
Because a mix of presentation types is usually present in any given presentation, it’s OK to mix presentation styles in terms of what is being presented. If you work a little “motivation” into an informational speech, the motivational techniques associated with your motivational comment will seem natural and appropriate. If you include a little humor, the techniques associated with humor will seem appropriate. The point is, each of the three types of presentation has its own delivery and content style. The pro is careful to match styles. A novice speaker should be aware of this synergy and evaluators should provide feedback accordingly. ☼