Speeches and Speeches and PresentationsPresentations

A good speech like a good essay contains an A good speech like a good essay contains an attractive beginning, a convincing and persuasive attractive beginning, a convincing and persuasive middle and a striking close . The difference between middle and a striking close . The difference between an essay and a speech is that an essay repetition is an essay and a speech is that an essay repetition is undesirable , in a speech repetition is not only undesirable , in a speech repetition is not only desirable it is necessary. This is because the written desirable it is necessary. This is because the written word leaves a sharper impression on the human mind word leaves a sharper impression on the human mind while the spoken word is less effective in this sense.while the spoken word is less effective in this sense.Speeches may be formal or informal. An informal Speeches may be formal or informal. An informal speech has all the characteristics of a good speech has all the characteristics of a good conversation and usually take place at on the spot at conversation and usually take place at on the spot at parties, family gatherings or non –official social parties, family gatherings or non –official social functions. A formal speech is usually carefully functions. A formal speech is usually carefully prepared so that it can be delivered on some formal prepared so that it can be delivered on some formal occasion.occasion. Being able to speak is an asset in any profession. Being able to speak is an asset in any profession. Speaking skill can be cultivated and developed with Speaking skill can be cultivated and developed with some knowledge of the formal aspects of public some knowledge of the formal aspects of public speaking and with practice.speaking and with practice.

The most important requirement is The most important requirement is preparation. Even persons with preparation. Even persons with natural skill in speaking need natural skill in speaking need preparation to deliver a good speech.preparation to deliver a good speech.

Preparation work can be divided into:Preparation work can be divided into: Finding out about the environment in Finding out about the environment in

hich the talk is to be deliveredhich the talk is to be delivered Preparing the text and the required Preparing the text and the required

visualsvisuals Taking care of one’s physical Taking care of one’s physical

appearance and body languageappearance and body language Practicing delivery of the talk.Practicing delivery of the talk.

Finding out about the environment: Finding out about the environment: VenueVenueOrganizersOrganizersAudienceAudienceAudience analysisAudience analysisStatusStatusRelationship with audience.Relationship with audience.

Preparing the text: The most imp thing in Preparing the text: The most imp thing in preparing the text is to find out the required preparing the text is to find out the required information and give it a proper shape. It must information and give it a proper shape. It must be logical and must flow smoothly form one point be logical and must flow smoothly form one point to the next,. to the next,.

LengthLength StyleStyle HumourHumour Style of addressingStyle of addressing

Matter to be included in a formal speech:Matter to be included in a formal speech: Speaker’s feelings such as joy , pleasure , Speaker’s feelings such as joy , pleasure ,

interest at being present at the occasioninterest at being present at the occasion The importance or significance of the The importance or significance of the

occasion or function to the country occasion or function to the country /community/locality/community/locality

Justification for the speaker to be present Justification for the speaker to be present on the occasion, his competence, his on the occasion, his competence, his interest in the project or scheme.interest in the project or scheme.

A few words of encouragement or A few words of encouragement or congratulation to the organizers , congratulation to the organizers , founders, pioneers or workers. people like founders, pioneers or workers. people like to be praised and therefore names should to be praised and therefore names should be mentioned . A few words about the be mentioned . A few words about the intelligence or good behaviour of the intelligence or good behaviour of the audience may not be out of place.audience may not be out of place.

Do’s and Don’ts of speech Do’s and Don’ts of speech draftingdrafting

Cover only the imp pointsCover only the imp points Define and explain the terms and Define and explain the terms and

subjects you are speaking about.subjects you are speaking about. Do not try to reply to the other Do not try to reply to the other

speaker untill you have carefully heard speaker untill you have carefully heard of what he said.of what he said.

Never point out grammatical , personal Never point out grammatical , personal defects and mistakes of previous defects and mistakes of previous speakers speakers

See that the speech is not monotonous See that the speech is not monotonous in tone and pitchin tone and pitch

How to prepare and deliver a How to prepare and deliver a speechspeech

Memorizing the speechMemorizing the speech Memorizing pointsMemorizing points Brief notesBrief notes reading the speechreading the speechGestures and posture: the speaker must Gestures and posture: the speaker must

stand before the audience in a relaxed but stand before the audience in a relaxed but an errect athletic posture. He should stand an errect athletic posture. He should stand upright and if possible should lean slightly upright and if possible should lean slightly toward the audience to look alert and toward the audience to look alert and dynamic. the hands should not be crossed dynamic. the hands should not be crossed or in the pockets. the feet should be in a or in the pockets. the feet should be in a stable position.stable position.

Establishing eye contact helps the speaker to Establishing eye contact helps the speaker to reduce his tension.reduce his tension.

Do’s and don’t of public Do’s and don’t of public speakingspeaking

Do not start speaking when you are getting Do not start speaking when you are getting up from your chair. Walk calmly to the up from your chair. Walk calmly to the mike, face the audience for a moment mike, face the audience for a moment without speaking and then address the without speaking and then address the chairman.chairman.

Test the mike before you start speaking’Test the mike before you start speaking’ Begin with a low key let the audience get Begin with a low key let the audience get

used to your personality , your voice and used to your personality , your voice and ay of speaking,.ay of speaking,.

Do not begin with a joke of irrelevant t Do not begin with a joke of irrelevant t naturenature

Use sentiment or emotion only if the Use sentiment or emotion only if the occasion calls for itoccasion calls for it

Adopt a friendly approach Adopt a friendly approach

Making a PresentationMaking a Presentation Since a speech is given to a large Since a speech is given to a large

audience it cannot be heavy . Its audience it cannot be heavy . Its purpose is usually to encourage, purpose is usually to encourage, appreciate, congratulate or entertain. It appreciate, congratulate or entertain. It is followed by an applause from the is followed by an applause from the audience. A presentation is heavy and audience. A presentation is heavy and is delivered to a small, knowledgeable is delivered to a small, knowledgeable audience at a conference, a seminar or audience at a conference, a seminar or a business meeting, its purpose is to a business meeting, its purpose is to inform, explain, persuade or present a inform, explain, persuade or present a point of view, and is followed by point of view, and is followed by questions from the audience.questions from the audience.

Composition of presentationComposition of presentation An oral presentation follows the traditional beginning, An oral presentation follows the traditional beginning,

middle and end: the introductory remarks, the main middle and end: the introductory remarks, the main body of the speech and the closing remarks.body of the speech and the closing remarks.

Opening: they fulfill a certain purpose. They are a Opening: they fulfill a certain purpose. They are a device for building rapport, focusing attention and device for building rapport, focusing attention and arousing interest of the audience. While the arousing interest of the audience. While the introductory sentences are being spoken the introductory sentences are being spoken the audience sizes up the speaker. State your name even audience sizes up the speaker. State your name even though you have been introduced it reinforced your though you have been introduced it reinforced your presence and helps people to remember you.presence and helps people to remember you.

Rapport: it can be establishes by pointing out a Rapport: it can be establishes by pointing out a common bond between the speaker and the common bond between the speaker and the audience. The cheerfulness, friendliness and sincerity audience. The cheerfulness, friendliness and sincerity with which you speak your first words will set the with which you speak your first words will set the tone of your presentation and the audience attitude tone of your presentation and the audience attitude towards you.towards you.

Focussing attention: one or two questions: Focussing attention: one or two questions: This depends on the size, the occasion and This depends on the size, the occasion and the subject of the presentation:the subject of the presentation:

Eg. What was the population of Mumbai at the Eg. What was the population of Mumbai at the last census? How many are added every last census? How many are added every day?day?

A pointed statement of facts and figures: the A pointed statement of facts and figures: the average noise level in Delhi, Mumbai and average noise level in Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta is 100 decibels more than double Calcutta is 100 decibels more than double the prescribed international limit of 45.the prescribed international limit of 45.

An appropriate quotation or proverbAn appropriate quotation or proverb AN Anecdote or historical story narrated AN Anecdote or historical story narrated

briskly and related quickly to the topic.briskly and related quickly to the topic.

Body of the presentation: The main text depends on the Body of the presentation: The main text depends on the occasion and the objective of the speech. A presentation occasion and the objective of the speech. A presentation meant to give information must be carefully planned with meant to give information must be carefully planned with main points and sub divisions.main points and sub divisions.

Conclusion: the conclusion must leave a clear message. A Conclusion: the conclusion must leave a clear message. A quotation or a parable or questions can mark the quotation or a parable or questions can mark the conclusion.conclusion.

Eg. We need competition in the market but cooperation on the Eg. We need competition in the market but cooperation on the road.road.

The ending consists of only 2 or 3 sentences. The purpose is The ending consists of only 2 or 3 sentences. The purpose is to thank the organizers once again to thank the audience to thank the organizers once again to thank the audience for paying attention and express good wishes and/or to for paying attention and express good wishes and/or to invite questions from the audience.invite questions from the audience.

Using Visual aids: visual material has a longer lasting impact Using Visual aids: visual material has a longer lasting impact than spoken words, most people retain much more of what than spoken words, most people retain much more of what they speak than of what they hear.they speak than of what they hear.

Eg.OHP, white board, Computers(PPt’s), videos.Eg.OHP, white board, Computers(PPt’s), videos.

What are the guidelines for What are the guidelines for group presentations?group presentations?

Plan carefully to involve as many members as possible in Plan carefully to involve as many members as possible in speaking roles. The easiest way to make a group speaking roles. The easiest way to make a group presentation is to outline the presentation and then divide presentation is to outline the presentation and then divide the topics , giving each one to a group member. Another the topics , giving each one to a group member. Another member can be responsible for the opener and the close. member can be responsible for the opener and the close. Suring the question period each member answers questions Suring the question period each member answers questions that relate to his topic or her topicthat relate to his topic or her topic

In this kind of divided presentation be sure toIn this kind of divided presentation be sure to Plan transitionsPlan transitions Enforce the time limits strictlyEnforce the time limits strictly Coordinate your visuals so that the presentation seems a Coordinate your visuals so that the presentation seems a

coherent holecoherent hole Practice the presentation as a group at least once , more is Practice the presentation as a group at least once , more is

betterbetter Write a very detailed outlineWrite a very detailed outline Choose points and examplesChoose points and examples Create visuals.Create visuals.

Then within each point speakers take Then within each point speakers take turns. The presentation is most effective turns. The presentation is most effective because each voice speaks only for a because each voice speaks only for a minute or to before a new voice comes in. minute or to before a new voice comes in. However it works ell only when all the However it works ell only when all the group members know the subject ell and group members know the subject ell and practice a lot.practice a lot.

BE sure to introduce ach group member at BE sure to introduce ach group member at the beginning and use the next person’s the beginning and use the next person’s name when you change speakers.name when you change speakers.

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