Learning Public Speaking

- Get to the point

A speaker should know how to lead to her/his topic quickly, clearly, and convincingly. Introductions should be reduced to a minimum because time is valuable. Ideas count; mere talk is worthless.

- Use humor at your own risk

Attempts at humorous speeches are only too often the saddest exhibitions of life. The mere recital of “funny stories” in succession is in no sense speech-making, although hundreds of misguided individuals act as though they think so.

Nor is a good introduction the one that begins with a comic incident supposedly with a point pat to the occasion or topic, yet so often miles wide of both. The funny story which misses its mark is a boomerang. Even the apparently “sure-fire” one may deliver a disturbing kick to its perpetrator.

Humor must be distinctly marked off from the merely comic or witty, and clearly recognized as a wonderful gift bestowed on not too many mortals in this world. The scoffing, ironic introduction may depend upon wit and cleverness born in the head; the humorous introduction depends upon a sympathetic instinct treasured in the heart.

- Study the introductions of others.

See how others have opened their speeches on different topics. Printed speeches will provide material for study, but better still are delivered remarks. If the student can hear the speech, then see it in print, so much the better, for he can then recall the effect in sound of the phrases.

- Consider the Lucky 13 questions of when putting together your introduction

Is the topic introduced gracefully?
Is it introduced clearly?
Is the introduction too long?
Does it begin too far away from the topic?
Is it interesting?
Has it any defects of material?
Has it any faults of manner?
Can any of it be omitted?
Do you want to hear the entire speech?
Can you anticipate the material?
Is it adapted to its audience?
Is it above their heads?
Is it beneath their intelligences?

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

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