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POINTS TO PONDER

The proof of the message imparted by a good presenter is the life-changing impact that can happen in and for the lives of others. Words are potent artefacts of social and cultural expression.

WHAT MATTERS

It does not matter if your audience is big or small. All those who come to hear you are paying you respect. Respect them in turn by offering the best delivery possible.

Should the development of speech and speaking programs be part of the curriculum available to children and students of all ages? Is ‘speaking and listening’ becoming an extinct form of expression?

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SPEAKING AND LISTENING

My concern is more with the qualities of speaking and LISTENING than with the mere speaking of words. There is speaking and speaking. Listening as a part of the speech platform seems to have gone by the bye. Too often, people attend for a pause so they can begin speaking. They listen but don’t hear or comprehend.

OFFER AUDIENCE RESPONSE TIME

When speaking, offer audience members a chance, if possible, to interact by asking questions and sharing their opinions. This kind of workshopping engagement is often far more appealing than the audience being subject to an ongoing non-participative presentation.

Consider KEYWORDS on palm-size prompt cards to guide in speech presentation. Those speaking without notes and visible paper aids are often more convincing than those dependent on ‘paper’ speeches.