Speech Techniques

1) Audience's problem.
2) Triggering/Thoughtful quote
3) Once upon a time/ Story of Impact/self-interest in Life

Don't rush when speaking. Talk deliberately, but not so slow that you are a robot.
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16 SPEECH STRUCTURES:
1. Opening, body, conclusion:
This is the simplest possible structure, taught at school level. Its still taught because it still works. But if youre feeling even a tiny bit artistic, we can
do better.
2. Tell them what youre going to tell them then tell them then tell them what youve told them:
A variation on the first structure. Use this one for absolute clarity in your message. Again, clunky, but enough to get the job done.
3. A metaphor and sub-points:
This is a very powerful structure and one used widely by professional speakers. As a simple example, I have a keynote called Big Bum Thinking. It
asks, Do you blame the jeans, or do you hold yourself accountable for the size of the bum? I then extend this humorous metaphor into a
presentation on victimhood.
4. Make a point, tell a story; make another point, tell another story:
Very simple, but very effective. Deliver your idea, then tell a story to back it up. Deliver your next idea, back it up with another story.
5. Point, Story, Application:
Point, Story, Application. A variation on the structure above, this comprehensive approach will work in almost any presenting scenario. I highly
recommend it. You can also shake it up by changing the order. Open with the Story that leads up to the Point, then provide the Application.
6. Problem-Solution:
Do you need to be persuasive? Then here is your tool. Dont begin by selling your idea. Begin by emotionalising the problem. Once they are
intellectually and emotionally invested in the seriousness of the problem, relieve the tension by supplying your answer. This is a structure that works
well in conjunction with just about any other structure listed here.
7. Acronym:
All right, team. To carry out this project, well be using the SMART approach: Systems, Measurement, Application, Results, Tweaking.
8. Pose a question, then answer it. Pose another, answer it:
If you absolutely have to use PowerPoint, and if youre insisting on using text, at least do it this way around: Show a set-up question on the screen,
and then you answer it verbally. Then show the next question. Then answer it. This structure also works without the slides; you can simply pose the
question out loud and then provide your answer.
9. Make a bold promise, then make them wait for you to deliver on it:
Promise something of great value up front, then give it, as promised, right at the end. This is one way to keep them with you. A word of warning,
however: you must keep your promise.
10. Start at the end, then recap:
This model is useful when you need to get to the point quickly and the explanation is less important. Start with the conclusion. Then spend a little
time justifying it.

11. Start and end with the same idea:

This is generally a good formula and shows polish. You began by talking about an impoverished company, struggling to survive. End your speech
by referring back to it. Circular storytelling is immensely appealing.
12. Constantly repeat a memorable phrase until it becomes a theme:
Useful for persuasive speaking and rally-scenarios. This classic rah-rah! technique allows you to build emotional momentum around a catchy
phrase. Its also useful for hammering home a simple but important point.
13. Co-present with another person, acting out a conversation:
A word of caution: This approach requires skill and rehearsal, not to mention a certain natural chemistry between the two presenters. When it
doesnt work, it looks awfully amateurish. Nevertheless, it is an option.
14. A repetitive A versus B, structure:
This particular structure is highly effective. It is also very compatible with other structures. Essentially, it goes, Amateurs do this, but experts do that;
amateurs do this, but experts do that
The back and forth rhythm between two opposing qualities or ideas is intellectually attractive, and helps to draw very clear delineations between
how to, and how not to. Any presentation in which you hope to change audience behaviours from an undesirable to a desirable will benefit from this
structure.
15. Use a loose outline, then co-create with your audience:
Only for experts and only for the brave. Introduce your topic, then throw it open to the audience, asking them what theyd particularly like to hear
about. This structure is incredibly agile, allowing you to meet the exact needs of your audience. But its frightening in that you wont know in advance
what those needs are.
16. The Expert Positioning model
This one is the basis of all Thought Leadership, and it works equally well in speeches, media interviews and written articles:
- Tell them what things they should be paying attention to now and why
- Tell them what those trends mean in their industry; pitfalls and opportunities
- Tell them what things will work going forward
- Tell them how things will turn out
And all of this has the underlying message: Follow me

Opening
The first thirty seconds of your speech are probably the most important. In that period of time you must grab the attention of the
audience, and engage their interest in what you have to say in your speech. This can be achieved in several ways. For example
you could raise a thought-provoking question, make an interesting or controversial statement, recite a relevant quotation or even
recount a joke. Once you have won the attention of the audience, your speech should move seamlessly to the middle of your
speech.

Body
The body of your speech will always be the largest part of your speech. At this point your audience will have been introduced to you
and the subject of your speech (as set out in your opening) and will hopefully be ready to hear your arguments, your thoughts or
even your ramblings on the subject of your speech.
The best way to set out the body of your speech is by formulating a series of points that you would like to raise. In the context of
your speech, a "point" could be a statement about a product, a joke about the bridegroom or a fond memory of the subject of a
eulogy.

The points should be organized so that related points follow one another so that each point builds upon the previous one. This will
also give your speech a more logical progression, and make the job of the listener a far easier one.
Don't try to overwhelm your audience with countless points. It is better to make a small number of points well than to have too many
points, none of which are made satisfactorily.

Closing
Like your Opening, the Closing of your speech must contain some of your strongest material. You should view the closing of your
speech as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to:

Summarize the main points of your speech

Provide some further food for thought for your listeners

Leave your audience with positive memories of your speech

End with a final thought/emotion (e.g. With well wishes to the Bride and Groom, With fond memories of a departed
friend, With admiration for winners and losers at an awards ceremony).

BASIC SPEECH STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTION

Goals: Get the attention and interest of your audience, set the tone, reveal the topic,
establish credibility and good will, and preview the speech.

Attention-getters

narrative

humor

quotation

rhetorical question

startling statement

arouse curiosity

reference to audience, occasion, or current events, previous speech

presentation aids (visual/audio)

Need

Create desire on the part of the audience to listen. Answer the questions: Why should I
care? and How does this topic relate to me?

Show the scope of the issue, the degree of importance, and the ramifications.

Reveal the topic and your interest or point of view.

Establish credibility and good will with the audience.

Preview the body of the speech.

BODY
(Signposts throughout speech)
Main points (2-5)

Choose your organizational pattern based on the topic and your approach.

State your main ideas as complete sentences and a single idea.

Parallel the main ideas grammatically if possible.

Your audience should be able to recognize and remember your main points.

Types of organization patterns

chronological

spatial

topical

causal (both informative and persuasive

logical reasons

problem/solution

problem/cause/solution

comparative advantages

Monroes motivated sequence

refutation

Support
Use a variety of support (facts/statistics, testimony, examples), picked for your particular audience.
Make sure each point is developed completely before going on to the next.
If needed, summarize the point before making a transition to the next point.
Document your sources to add credibility. Use recent, credible sources and cite them in your speech when necessary.
Factors of attention, understanding and remembering need to be used.

humor

relevance

intensity

repetition

novelty

compare/contrast

visuals

narratives

examples

CONCLUSION
Summarize
Close with impact

quotation

narrative

appeal to action

return to opening theme