Learning Public Speaking

People who are scheduled to make speeches are heard to declare that they know exactly what they want to say but they do not know how to begin.

Another way they have of expressing this is that they do not know how to bring their material before their hearers. Undoubtedly the most difficult parts of speeches are the beginnings and conclusions.

Practised speakers are more likely not to fix too rigidly in their minds any set way for starting to speak.

The conditions under which the speech is actually delivered may differ so widely from the anticipated surroundings that a speaker should be able to readjust her/his ideas instantly, seize upon any detail of feeling, remark, action, which will help him into closer communication with her/his audience.

Many practised speakers, therefore, have at their wits’ ends a dozen different manners, so that their appearance may fit in best with the circumstances, and their remarks have that air of easy spontaneity which the best speaking should have.

A speaker will prepare carefully her/his speech proper, but leave to circumstances the suggestion of the beginning she/he will use.

This does not mean that she/he will not be prepared–it means that she/he will be all the more richly furnished with expedients.

A speaker should carefully think over all the possibilities under which her/his speech will be brought forward, then prepare the best introduction to suit each set.

Bottom Line: Memorizing the introduction sounds like a good idea. But be flexible. Don’t be locked in and say, “I must say this at this time.” Ideas may pop into your head at the last second. I’m not saying freestyle your introduction is a good idea. Have an idea about what you want to say at the beginning of the speech. But have enough confidence to recognize a better idea if one hits you.

(Words of Clarence Stratton and edited by LearningPublicSpeaking.com)

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