Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers

1
Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers

• Taken primarily from 101 Secrets of Highly
  Effective Speakers
• by Caryl Rae Krannich, Ph.D.

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Speech is power speech is to persuade, to
convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of
his bad sense into your good sense.

• Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Plan to Exceed Expectations

• Prepare early
• Plan to be effective
• Determine your goal
• Analyze your audience
• Consider the situation

4
Build your speech body

• Develop the speech body first
• Gather information
• Limit your time
• Limit your focus
• Determine your main points
• Use supporting materials liberally, build
  credibility

5
What kinds of supporting materials?

• Quotations or testimony
• Statistics
• Examples
• Stories
• Comparisons and contrasts
• Demonstrations
• Visual aids

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A few words on visual aids

• The WRONG visual can be a detriment
• Show visuals only when you are talking about it
• Be certain visuals are of sufficient size
• Talk to your audience not your visual do not
  use pointers
• Be prepared for equipment breakdown
• Dont overdo
• Recognize that everything put in your listeners
  hands will be a distraction

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Command Attention Your Introduction

• Refer to the subject of the occasion
• Begin with a powerful quotation
• Ask a rhetorical question
• Make a startling statement
• Keep listeners in suspense - but not too long
• Engage listeners with a vivid illustration
• Hit listeners with a humorous anecdote

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Transition to Your Body

• Orient your listeners
• Provide explicit motivation
• Establish credibility

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Close with Power

• Summarize your main points
• End with a Statement of Impact
• refer to the subject or occasion
• end with a powerful quotation
• ask a rhetorical question
• make a startling statement
• leave listeners with a vivid illustration
• leave listeners with a humorous anecdote
• issue a challenge or appeal
• Keep a second Statement of Impact in reserve

10
Prepare Like a Pro

• Check the speaking environment prior to your
  speech
• Prepare your introducer with an introduction
• Select a title that is a hit
• Prepare notes
• Time your speech
• Edit, edit, edit
• Anticipate questions from the audience
• Have questions ready to throw in the ring

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Control Fear

• Solid preparation is your best defense
• Be totally familiar with your introduction
• Practice often
• Record your speech
• Focus on ideas not exact phrases
• Remember, you appear much more confident than you
  feel
• Dress for the occasion - dress to build
  confidence

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Command Attention From the beginning

• Approach the lectern with confidence
• Get set before you speak
• Stand erect behind the lectern
• Distribute your weight evenly on both feet
• Project your voice - speak with authority
• Convey dynamism
• Conclude then leave the lectern with confidence

13
Sharpen Your Delivery

• Speak clearly
• Vary your pace
• Vary your inflection
• Pause often
• Limit the use of vocalized pauses and fillers
• Look at everyone frequently
• Use movement to maintain attention
• Hide your errors
• Leave playthings at your seat
• Use a microphone sparingly

14
Plan to exceed expectations but dont expect to
be perfect.