On May 13th, I will be starting a 6-week online speech writing course. If you’ve been finding value in my blog posts, then this is a course you won’t want to miss. I’ll be teaching you how to master the art and science of writing a successful speech that will take your speeches to another level.
You can find all the information here.
Posted in Events, Speech Writing, Speech Writing ResourcesWords are powerful.
They have the ability to heal and hurt … build up or break down … start fights and stop wars.
A wise man once said
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue …”
And it was Mark Twain who said …
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.”
If Twain was right, can you imagine what the difference is between the right word and the wrong word?!
When you’re preparing a speech, how do you know which words are the “right” ones to use?
Here are four questions you can ask to determine which words are the right words to use in your speech.
Most speeches should be written using an informal tone. Speeches that use an informal tone are conversational in nature. Bud don’t be fooled … not all speeches are meant to be conversational.
There are times when it’s more appropriate to deliver a message from “the institution” and not “the individual”.
A message from the individual would say:
“After reviewing the proposals, we decided to go with plan A.”
A message from the institution would say:
“After reviewing the proposals, it was decided that plan A would be used.”
If you’ve ever played the game of corporate politics, you know that sometimes it’s more prudent to use the formal tone.
Word on the street is that you should always avoid using jargon in your speeches. This is often true, but not always. If you have a mixed audience that doesn’t understand the technical terminology or buzz words of your industry, then it’s best to use plain language. But if your audience is well versed in the jargon of your industry, they’ll salivate when properly placed acronyms and technical terms are tossed around.
This is not to say you should go overboard with the jargon, but “advanced” audiences will often hold you in higher regard when you can speak their language.
Sometimes you will be preaching to the choir. At other times you will be trying to convert non-believers. Each audience will require a different approach.
When an audience agrees with your point of view, you can front load your statements with words such as “clearly”, “obviously” or “without a doubt”.
If your audience holds a different point of view, you would be better off using softeners such as “more often than not”, “speaking in general” or “there are exceptions to this rule …”. The softeners will allow you to approach sensitive topics in such a way that the audience will more likely hear you out before tuning you out.
Do you want to paint word pictures? Reference a popular speech or speaker of the past? Evoke an emotional response from your audience? When you have a clear understanding of what you want your words to do, you will have greater success choosing the right words for your speech.
For example, in 1961, when Newton Minow spoke to the National Association of Broadcasters, he gave them a clear picture of what he thought of their programming. He said:
“Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.”
Even if a picture does say 1000 words, you don’t need that many to paint a vivid picture. You just need the right words.
When Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the “I have a dream” speech, he used the words “five score years ago”. Why? Because he wanted to invoke the presence of the great emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, who began the Gettysburg Address with the famous line “four score and seven years ago“.
Once Lincoln’s presence had been felt, King immediately switched to and repeated the phrase “100 years later“. He only needed to use the right words once to achieve his desired effect.
Words are powerful.
When you know how to choose the right words for your speeches, there’s a good chance you will be able to predict when lightning will strike.
Posted in UncategorizedEvery year, I challenge myself on my birthday by doing consecutive
push-ups to match the birthday I’m celebrating. As you can imagine,
the task becomes more difficult every year. Last year, I felt
fortunate to have eeked out the 38th push-up.
Today, on my 39th birthday, I realize there’s a
chance I may not be able to meet the challenge, but I’ll be damned
if I can’t pump out 39 of something. So with that in mind, I’ve
done some reflecting and compiled a list of 39 things I’ve learned
about public speaking.
1. You’re never good enough not to to practice.
2. Public speaking is both a science and an art. Approach it
strictly from either point of view and you and you won’t be as
successful as
you could be.
3. All things being equal, written speeches are better and more
successful than extemporaneous speeches.
4. No height of reasoning or depth of wisdom is strong enough to
educate a mind that refuses to learn.
5. Every audience and individual is unique. What works for one
won’t necessarily work for another.
6. There is no “best way” to start every speech. Each speech is as
unique as the audience. Every opening should also be unique.
7. Gestures are overrated. They can’t add substance to a message
that lacks substance.
8. Even the right words can lose their effect if they’re not
delivered with the right timing.
9. Even if your audience disagrees with your position on a subject,
they want your speech to be good. After all, they have to sit
through it.
10. When put to the test, most statistics about public speaking are
a crock.
11. What our audience remembers most is what resonates with them
most.
12. The setup of your room affects the flow of energy in the room.
13. Recording yourself on video is the best way to pinpoint your
strengths and weaknesses.
14. Memorizing your material and knowing your material are not the
same thing.
15. Sometimes public speaking should be treated as a performance.
At other times, public speaking should be treated as a
conversation. On occasion, it should be treated as both.
16. Always research your audience as thoroughly as possible …
always!
17. Reading the book of Proverbs is a great way to train your mind
to come up with analogies that easily explain complicated concepts.
18. Age means squat when it comes to your effectiveness as a public
speaker. Martin Luther King Jr. was only 34 when he delivered the
“I have a dream” speech.
19. It’s okay to say “um” every now and again. People expect it.
“Um” becomes a problem when it is used in a pattern the audience
begins to anticipate and predict with 99% accuracy.
20. One of the easiest ways to improve your ability to develop a
successful speech is to read and listen to successful speeches of
the past and present.
21. When you truly connect with your audience, you will be able to
feel and experience their energy.
22. Public speaking is not a monarchy and content is not king.
Content alone is not enough to persuade people and move them to
take action.
23. What you say AND how you say it are of equal importance.
24. Authentic story telling is easy to learn. Just read story books
to children.
25. If your presentation relies heavily on technology, be sure to
have a plan B.
26. If you’re using PowerPoint or props, rehearse with them.
27. Knowing your subject is important. Explaining your subject in a
way that’s easy to understand and memorable is more important.
28. Your speech is successful if your audience remembers, repeats
and responds to it … not if you get a standing ovation.
29. The worst times to speak are just before and just after a meal.
The audience is too hungry to concentrate just before and too full
(or tipsy) to concentrate after.
30. Asking questions is an effective way to engage the minds of the
individuals in your audience.
31. When you tell a story, debrief it. Not everyone will interpret
your story the same way.
32. Before using a statistic in your speech, research the statistic
yourself. There are a lot of myths disguised as statistics.
33. Always put statistics in context. Explain what the statistic
means and why the audience should care.
34. If you must tell a joke, use an original one. Few things are as
deflating as having people in the audience deliver the punch line
before you do.
35. Don’t use a $20 word when a 5 cent word will do the trick. When
it comes to word choice, simpler is usually better.
36. Use repetition in your speeches. It will reinforce your main
message and make it easier for the audience to follow your train of
thought.
37. If you’re going to be introduced, write your own opening. Never
trust someone else to do it for you.
38. Even excellent presenters have “off” days. Get over it and move
on.
39. Your audience won’t shut you off as quickly as they will a show
on television. They can watch the show in their pajamas, but they
get dressed up and travel to hear you speak.
40. Even though there is nothing new under the sun, there is always
more to learn about public speaking.
Looks like I’m already looking forward to the big 4-0 …
What lessons have you learned?
Posted in UncategorizedThe following article appeared in the January version of my Successful Speeches newsletter. Have you subscribed to the newsletter yet?
The key to making your speeches successful is not found in any one
system. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach that will work in
every situation.
Every speech is different. Every situation is different. Every
audience is different.
And since there are so many differences, the question to ask
yourself as you prepare your speeches is:
“What is appropriate?”
When you ask and answer that question for every area of your
speech, your odds of developing and delivering a successful speech
will surely increase.
Words
Words are important. The right word can hit the mark and the wrong
word can miss the mark. Certain words resonate while others
irritate. Sometimes a $20 word will work wonders. At other times,
the same word could confound and confuse.
Mark Twain has been credited with saying, “The difference between
the right word and almost the right word is the difference between
lightning and the lightning bug.”
Ask yourself the question … “Am I using the appropriate words for
this audience and occasion?”
Length
For some topics, five minutes is more than enough to achieve the
purpose of your speech. In some cases, 60 minutes will only break
the ice. Even before you accept an invitation to deliver a speech
somewhere, ask yourself if the amount of time being allotted for
the speech is appropriate to convey your message. If not, it’s best
to decline the invitation.
Humor
This should go without saying, but experience tells me I should
“remind” everyone about humor.
Humor is tricky. It can make a speech as easily as it can break
one. And while laughter is the shortest distance between two
people, humor that offends can create a great gulf that can’t be
crossed. You’ll never be able to please everyone, but if you think
there’s a potential for offense in your joke, don’t use it. It’s
not appropriate.
Stories/Statistics/Examples
We all have signature stories and favorite statistics we like to
use in our speeches, but they may not be the best ones to use for
certain audiences. Take a look at the examples you’ve been using
and ask yourself if there are more appropriate ones that would be
easier for the audience to relate to.
Based on the background of your audience, ask yourself if the
stories, statistics and examples you’ve chosen are appropriate ones.
Tone/Mood
I’m often amazed at the far-reaching desire that speakers have to
motivate and inspire audiences when that’s not what the audience
needs.
Sometimes the audience needs to feel understood before they can be
inspired or motivated to take on a new task.
Sometimes the audience needs to be convinced on a level of “logic”
rather than a level of “feelings”.
Very often, what the audience gets is not what they need.
A group of employees who are dealing with faulty new software
systems will rarely be accepting of a speech about offering
exceptional service. And a group that’s about to be downsized
doesn’t want you to tell them about future “opportunities” when
they know you’ll be keeping your job.
Once again, based on the audience and the occasion, ask yourself
what the appropriate tone for your speech will be.
If you can pause and answer the “appropriate” question as you write
all your speeches, you’ll have a much greater likelihood of
developing and delivering successful speeches.
If you live in the greater Toronto area, I hope you’ll join me in February at one of the events where I’ll be speaking.
February 10, 2009 - Halton Peel Communications Association
“How to Attract More Clients with Public Speaking”
February 17, 2009 - Canadian Association of Women Executives and Entrepreneurs
“How to Make Your Speech Sing Like Music to Their Ears”
February 25, 2009 - One-day Speech Writing Workshop
“Successful Speech Writing for Business Professionals”
Posted in Uncategorized
In my last post, I touched on three ways to make your speeches more memorable. I also promised you I would blog about three more methods you can use. Here they are:
There are two ways you can use repetition to create hooks that your audience will remember.
Throughout the Speech
I once wrote a speech for one of my clients on Future Trends. The theme was “Back to the Future”. If you’re familiar with the movie, you’ll recall that the star of the show was transported back into the past and ended up interfering with the events that would have led to his being born in the future.
He had a family snapshot in his pocket that he constantly looked at because he could see his brother and sister disappearing from the picture bit by bit. He knew that if he didn’t set the proper events in motion, he would also disappear. So throughout the movie, he kept looking at the snapshot to see if he was disappearing too. The speech focused on positioning yourself for future success by examining the trends that were currently taking place.
In the speech, I used the hook “look at the snapshot”, after every major trend was presented.
Rapid Succession
I’ve already written about anaphora and epiphora in the past, so I won’t explain them here. What I will do is draw on one section of Barack Obama’s concession speech after the New Hampshire primary.
“We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we’ve been told we’re not ready or that we shouldn’t try or that we can’t, generations of Americans have responded
with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation: Yes, we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail towards freedom through the darkest of nights: Yes, we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an
unforgiving wilderness: Yes, we can.
It was the call of workers who organized, women who reached for the ballot, a president who chose the moon as our new frontier, and a king who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the promised land:
Yes, we can, to justice and equality.
Yes, we can, to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes, we can heal this nation.
Yes, we can repair this world.
Yes, we can.
And so, tomorrow, as we take the campaign south and west, as we learn that the struggles of the textile workers in Spartanburg are not so different than the plight of the dishwasher in Las Vegas, that the hopes of the little girl who goes to the crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of L.A., we will remember that there is something happening in America, that we are not as divided as our politics suggest, that we are one people, we are one nation.
And, together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story, with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: Yes, we can.”
Even if you hated the speech, there’s no doubt you remembered it. That’s the power of repetition.
Certain words and phrases have the ability to reach down into your soul and touch you on the deepest levels.
Some cut … others heal.
Some bring pleasure … others bring pain.
Some make you optimistic … others make you pessimistic.
But when those words are spoken, they don’t just stay in our minds, they live in our hearts.
This is one of the reasons we still remember the hook
“Read my lips: no new taxes!”
Do you ever tell people to read your lips when you’re just having a pleasant conversation? I don’t. If I’m telling someone to reading my lips, it’s because they didn’t understand what I meant the first, second or third time I said it. If I get to the point of saying “read my lips’, it’s probably the last straw!
So when George Bush spoke those words, America took notice. It was the sound bite that was played most often on television and on the radio. It was the phrase that was repeated most often when people discussed the speech. And it was the ammunition that was used against him when he wasn’t able to keep his promise.
But even if he had kept his promise, those words would still have been etched in our brains.
The words, “yes we can”, are also emotionally charged. Think back to the story of “The Little Engine That Could”. If you heard that story as a child, you can probably remember chanting the words “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” Do you remember how much emotion you put into it?
Rhymes aren’t just for children. They’re fantastic for creating memorable phrases. The O.J. Simpson trial was the longest jury trial in California history. It was covered by all the major news networks. What was the most popular phrase in that whole trial?
“If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
Instant hook.
Poetry is not my strong point, so I don’t go out of my way to use it in my speeches. But if a rhyme as brilliant as Cochrane’s comes into my mind, I’m using it.
If you want to combine rhymes with another device, I would suggest combining it with repetition that’s sprinkled throughout your speech. Repeating a rhyme in rapid succession could result in two things:
The line, “if the glove doesn’t fit,you must acquit” wouldn’t have had the same level of impact if Johnny Cochrane had repeated it in the style of MLK.
If you’ll look at the examples of memorable phrases in this post and the previous one, you’ll notice that some devices were combined. When devices are combined there’s a greater likelihood the hooks will stick in the minds of those listening to you.
Posted in Opinion, Political Speeches, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Rhetorical Devices, Scripting Your Speech, Speech Writing
This past week, President Obama was criticized for not making his inauguration speech more memorable.
There were certainly quotable sections, but not the clear “hook” that Obama has been known for.
When he spoke at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama’s memorable moment came when he said:
“There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America — there’s the United States of America.”
He did it again in 2008 in New Hampshire with three simple words:
“Yes we can.”
And during his victory speech on November 4, 2008, he said American could:
“… put their hand on the arc of history and bend it once more …”
So it’s understandable that people expected something memorable.
Making speeches more memorable by crafting sound bytes is both an art and a science. Sometimes it’s a crap shoot.
I’ve examined some of the more popular sound bytes in history and come up with six devices you can use to make your speeches more memorable.
ANTITHESIS
Antithesis is the use of two contrasting words, phrases or sentences placed directly opposite one another.
Antithesis is used in the phrases:
“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” — JFK
“Give me liberty or give me death!” — Patrick Henry
From literature, we’re all familiar with the phrase:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …”
ALLITERATION
Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in neighboring words or syllables.
The most famous line Martin Luther King Jr. ever spoke was:
“I have a dream … that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Notice how the sound of the hard “c” punctuates the sentence.
Also note that the phrase combines antithesis with alliteration.
not be judged by … but by …
LISTS OF THREE
Although there are different names for it (Triad, Lists of Three), the device is still the same … so are the results. Using a list of three words or phrases in succession is a time-tested technique for creating memorable hooks.
Lists of three that are embedded in our brains are:
Of the people
By the people
For the people
Life
Liberty
And the pursuit of happinessI came
I saw
I conqueredFather
Son
Holy GhostFaith
Hope
Love
Winston Churchill has been quoted as saying:
“I have nothing to offer but blood, sweat and tears.”
What he actually said was:
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
Don’t you agree that the list of three sounds better than the list of four?
Here’s a list of three Churchill combined with antithesis:
“Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”
In the coming days, I’ll follow up with another post detailing the final three devices you can use to make your speeches more memorable.
Would love to hear your feedback on these three.
Posted in Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Rhetorical Devices, Scripting Your Speech, Speech Writing, UncategorizedAlthough I’m a born-and-raised Canadian, most of my blogging (and even speaking examples) focus on American speakers. In the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time examining and commenting on the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. and President (still getting used to that) Barack Obama.
In my studies of their speeches, I’ve found two elements that helped them to creates successful speech after successful speech
On Tuesday, February 25th, 2009, I will be teaching a one-day speech writing workshop in Toronto: “Successful Speech Writing for Business Professionals“.
If you live in the greater Toronto area and would like to learn the speech writing secrets of Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr., I’ll be teaching them in my full day workshop.
You can find all the details on the workshop here.
Posted in Events, Speech Writing, Speech Writing ResourcesLike it or hate it, President Obama’s inauguration speech has been analyzed six ways to Sunday. Some thought it was just right, but others thought it lacked the punch they were expecting. Though I don’t agree with all the opinions, I respect them.
If you haven’t had a chance to read the blogs of Bert Decker and Ian Griffin, then you’re missing out on two good breakdowns of the speech.
Bert Decker lists what he thought were the strengths and weaknesses of Obama’s inauguration speech in his blog.
Ian Griffin systematically breaks down Obama’s inauguration address from a rhetorical standpoint. If you’re studying the art of speech writing, you’ll definitely want to read this post.
Posted in UncategorizedIn stark contrast to the 43rd President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama spoke clearly, concisely, and confidently to the millions of people listening to him deliver his inaugural address.
His task was a difficult one. Even though those in attendance and around the world were anxious to hear soaring rhetoric and words of inspiration, Obama’s message was a little more serious. The moments of inspiration were there, but they were always balanced out by the reminder of the obstacles America faces as a nation.
Every time he spoke of America’s ability to succeed, he spoke about the need to to roll up your sleeves and work.
Whenever he spoke of the past success of Americans, he would reference the sacrifice required to achieve success.
I don’t think he delivered the message Americans wanted to hear, but he certainly delivered the message they needed to hear.
A few things impressed me about President Obama on this occasion:
1.) He showed more emotion and used more gestures than I’ve seen him use in a long time. In an effort to appear more “presidential”, Obama had been using fewer gestures and downplaying the energy that marked his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
2.) He said a lot by saying a little. Everyone knows how significant this inauguration was. Race was (and still is) a contentious issue in America. He was able to sum up all of the feelings about race in one sentence …
a man whose father, less than 60 years ago, might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
3.) He was courteous to to Bush, but he didn’t let him off the hook. I can only imagine how George W. Bush was feeling as he listened to Obama say:
we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals
4.) He hammered his point home. This speech was about the American people rolling up their sleeves and getting to work on fixing what ails the country. If you didn’t get that message, you didn’t really listen to the speech.
All that being said, there is one thing I think would have capped this speech off perfectly. I’m guessing most of those watching and listening were expecting it, too.
Yes we can!
Since he was talking about the difficult times and challenges America has to face, I think it would have been fitting to end his address with the words that inspired America and caught the attention of the world. Maybe President Obama or his speechwriters thought the phrase was a little tired, but I think it would have been a more powerful ending than the one he used.
The speech won’t be remembered alongside FDR’s or JFK’s inaugurals as an all-time great. But the success of the speech will be measured by how hard the American people work in the coming weeks, months and years of Obama’s administration.
What did you think of the speech?
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