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Introduction to Publilc Speaking, Speeches, Sermons
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* Goals of this article: Introduce and refresh the topic of giving public speeches in an impressive fashion. This article is multi purpose, as each situation is unique.
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* This article is Royce’s notes, it’s not certified or legal advice.
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Why do people speak publically?
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* Information. Sharing your research. Fundraising. Group offers and opportunities. Being a guest speaker. Celebration dinner. Leaders often give speeches to rally the crowds or to share experience. Much more.
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Speaking Clearly
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* Pronounce your words fully and well-paced. No dead air; meaning, no long awkward silences. No soda beforehand, it can cause mucus in your throat. You're the most interesting person on Earth for the extent of your speech, so act the part.
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* Give your speech in everyday language.
Posture & Body Language
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* Ergonomic Stance: Not being tense. Shoulders low and back. Shift the weight on your feet now and then so you appear to be fluid and easy going.
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* Body language: Your body naturally acts out what you're thinking. It’s a lie detector. Everyone speaks with their body and entire being, some more than others. Some people have shifty dodging eyes when they lie, and you don’t want to look like you’re lying.
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Wardrobe
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* Fit the demographic you wish to impress, but always dress up for a speech because it’s you at your very best. Wear a business suit for a formal occasion.
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Schedule (Rough Structure)
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* The first leg of your speech contains a few funny puns (sadly, keep it squeaky PC); and a quick articulate introduction to why you're there. Give a well-rounded, well thought out reason for standing in front of your demographic audience. The second leg of your speech is a quick three-minute video and something fun to keep the audience awake. Then give the heart of your speech, the really in depth stuff. Keeping in mind, the audience only remembers about three major talking points, and not the whole speech. End the speech with a fun summary which children would enjoy, as if it's a children's book. Thank everyone so very much for their precious time. Announce some snacks and ask people to participate in the meet and greet. Don't ask them, tell them. Then is the meet and greet, where people shake hands and mingle, exchanging ideas.
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Actual Event Schedules
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* Speaking at Google Summer of Code:
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* Speaking at a TED Talk:
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* Wedding:
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* Music Concert:
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* Car Show:
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Slideshow
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* Keep the focus on you, you're the star. The slides are helpful little aids with pretty pictures and bullet points.
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* Ensure you have either very-large sheets of paper with poster-size photos, or a good projector and 50-inch backup TV if the projector bulb dies. People often have eyesight issues. Articulately explain the slides for those with eyesight disabilities.
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Demographics
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* Sing to the choir, so to say. What group of people are you speaking to? They are human, but they are also numbers and ratings. Different groups of people have different preferences, beliefs, needs, contracts.
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* Speak to the generation. Your audience may be millennials, gen-x, bitter boomers, or celebrating the second half of their life. They all share experiences.
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Anxiety
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* Anxiety can block your thoughts and make you sweaty and awkward.
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* Be suave. Foot loose. Don't be tense. Ease up.
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Keep it fresh like Fruity Loops
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* Be cool but not offensive. Be a role model but not nagging.
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* Keep the ratings up! Subtly entertain your audience, but don’t be Crusty the Clown.
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* Keep the Hoard Awake, Entertained, Thinking, and on Their Toes.
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* Get a little extra sleep the previous night, run on a treadmill, and keep your spirit up.
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* If time, shower before your speech. Fresh and lively is vital!
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* Your audience is royalty. Just being with them refreshes you, and you refresh them. Make them feel glad to have met you.
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* Be confident that your relationship with your demographic is thriving and growing.
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* You're a product and you wish to sell yourself to the buyer.
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* Words meaning fresh: __.
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Stage Crew
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* Have an appropriate crew on hand to ensure your presentation or speech is set to go.
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* You have water, they have a well-guarded copy of your talking points, you’re not forgetting anything, you’re well groomed, and you have a presidential appearance.
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* Your crew will also have water, vitamin powder, coffee, a spare formal shirt, and any clearly-labeled baggies of emergency pills such as a few pain pills, beano, gas-x, and tums.
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* Technical: Your mic and speakers work, your projector and screen work and are on, your backup TV works.
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* Have your stage crew pummel you with hard questions, days in advance.
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* A peer or stage crew shall professionally thank the audience for attending, and announce your name.
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Cautions and Ethical Code
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* How many people can a room occupy?
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* Does the audience desire Sign Language, or speaking in other languages? How many people have eyesight or hearing disabilities? How will they get into the building? How much of it is your concern or their concern?
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* Stage crew shall announce any allergies in the food.
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* Common sense. Who is in charge of what? If the building has an available projector, you don't need to bring yours.
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* Everyone has driving and schedule instructions and have RSVP?
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* Keep it clean and fairly PC. You don't want to offend a potential donor. Some people are overly sensitive.
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Expenses
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* How much do you charge for a speech, how much do you charge each audience member. Other speakers? Rent and deposit for speech room. Catering plus food and refreshments and utensils and containers. Does room come with tables and chairs. If in-house cooking, does room allow food and does it have access to a kitchen. Cost of refreshments. Cost of your suit rental, projector usage, parking, and any extra services you require. What costs can you safely cut? What discounts are available, or what does it take to qualify for a discount?
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Debates and In-person Surveys
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* Ask questions in such a way that really highlights and brings to life your favorite choice.
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* Give three choices, two of which aren’t likely to be chosen (say them as if they are lame), and the third is the choice you need them to pick (say lastly with some passion, some oomph).
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* Speaking to an audience is a debate. You're informing and sharing what you know and have experienced, and they are considering and pushing-back on what they don’t like.
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* Speaking to an audience is a relationship, it’s a conversation, it’s interactive, and it’s not one-sided.
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* Stay gently honest, not harshly lashing. Transparency. Don’t omit information. The fact-checkers out there will appreciate that you were exceptionally real.
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Statistics
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Talking Points
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* Talking points are a bullet list of what you’ll be speaking on and the rough schedule.
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* Peer check: Have your stage crew or peers look over your talking points. Fact check!
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Misc
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* The speech is about what the flyer or brochure said, so keep it focused, instead of rambling.
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* Inspiring bits of wisdom and philosophy will give people something to think over and feel important.
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* Practice, practice, practice! Do a dry run of your speech ten times in front of a large mirror. Do a dry run in front of a few people or stage crew, then more people. Always practice a lot in front of a mirror or camera, this is vital!
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* Short bursts of effort with long expanses of rest.
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* Set clear targets which motivate you to do more.
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* Hand out a list of what you want them to remember. Your audience can only absorb so much information. Much of the day will be forgotten by tomorrow, even by someone with a great memory. Encourage them to take notes, provide little pencils.
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* Search YouTube for speeches, public speaking, and similar keywords. Write down what you like and don't like about the speeches you see. This helps you get a feel for what's going on.
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* Examine the autobiographies of famous public speakers such as Evangelist Billy Graham. Who are the world's best speakers?
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Internet Resources
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* Wikipedia on Public Speaking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_speaking
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* Wikipedia on Event Management: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Event_management
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* Wikipedia on Target Audience: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_audience
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* Wikipedia on Project Management: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management
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* Wikipedia on Crowd Manipilation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_manipulation
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* Wikipedia on Crowd Psychology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology
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* Wikipedia on Audience Response: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience_response
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* Wikipedia on Demography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demography
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* Wikipedia on Debate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debate
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* Wikipedia on Statistical Hypothesis Testing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_hypothesis_testing
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* Wikipedia on Conventions and Meeting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_(meeting)
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* Wikipedia on Body Language: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_language
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* DMOZ on
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* DMOZ on
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* About.com on
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* About.com on
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Sources Cited
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1. My 1999 leadership class in High School, at Naches Washington USA: http://www.nvsd.org/
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2. My 1990 Boyscouts of America Handbook: http://www.bsahandbook.org/
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Discussion