Newsletter Menu

Do you get that feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach when you’re asked to write a speech or presentation? You have plenty of company; there are thousands of others just like you who hate everything about public speaking. But with these few professional tips, you can write a speech that is more interesting, more memorable and easier to present.

1. Get their attention.

Think for a moment about talk show interviews with celebrities. They don’t start out by saying, “I’m here to spend the next 15 minutes talking about my new movie.” Instead, they start out by telling a great story, something that people can relate to. It catches your attention and keeps your interest.

To start the speech, choose a story or a personal experience about your topic you can share. Another option is to begin the speech with an interesting quote that relates to the topic. The Web site www.quotegarden.com has a wide range of quotes on all kinds of topics. Some people like to start with a joke—but this is only good advice for seasoned joke tellers.

For all stories, quotes, and jokes, make sure that they are appropriate for your audience. Keep it relevant and interesting, and your speech will be off to a great start.

2. Narrow your topic.

Most people are too ambitious when they select a speech topic. It’s not practical to try to cover the history of the Roman Empire in 10 minutes. You need to narrow your topic down to something more manageable, which makes it easier to write and present your speech. You can focus on a few main points, the things that are most important about your topic. This makes the speech more memorable and gives you time to weave in interesting facts and details.

3. Use a conversational tone.

People speak much differently than they write. A common error is to write a speech out word for word, using the same type of jargon you’d use in a report. That makes for a very dull presentation. Remember that a speech is a chance to talk to your audience, to share information with them. Instead of saying, “The annual production for widgets was a 25 percent net increase over the previous year’s production,” try something more like, “Last year’s production was 17,000 widgets, but this year we were able to increase that total by an amazing 25 percent. Good job, production team!”

4. Make each point memorable.

Another common error is to use the old formula, “Tell them what you’re going to say, say it, then tell them what you said.” The idea is that repeating the information makes it stick. With all due respect to the old school, in today’s digital age of fast information delivery, you’re going to bore your audience to tears.

Instead, keep your points simple and easy to understand. Think sound bites: tight phrases that sum up the whole idea. For each point you make, tell a story or relate some information to illustrate that point. Then recap your points at the end. That’s plenty. If you really feel the need to repeat it again, then hand out a sheet that summarizes your main points—but only after the speech is over.

Experienced speechwriters use these simple tips to build incredibly successful and memorable presentations. You don’t have to be afraid to write a speech. With this information, you’re ready to present like a pro.

Adapted from “Speechwriting Tips for Successful Presentations,” by Marie Bouvier. For more information, visit www.wordsculpture.com.

When Acronyms Attack (WAA), Fight Back

Excessive reliance on business jargon can harm an organization’s ability to integrate new hires; it can also lead to costly miscommunications on project teams. Manage those acronyms by using these suggestions:

• Require employees to explain acronyms on first reference in written documents and avoid them in presentations and meetings. Peppering memos and discussions with alphabet soup like ROI and CRM creates confusion—and it can make otherwise-vibrant communications DOA.
• Start a jargon wiki on your intranet that employees can update and refer to whenever they wish. Few people want to reveal their ignorance by asking for explanations of company lingo, but they’ll eagerly bone up on it online.
• Encourage new employees to question jargon they hear in the hallways. Showing them you understand how confusing office talk can be might embolden them to ask for definitions.

Adapted from “When Acronyms Attack (WAA), Fight Back,” Sun Herald (Biloxi, Tenn.), as reprinted in Communication Solutions, October 2009; (800) 878-5331; managementresources.com.