Speech Tips

How to Structure Your Speech
Sheila Allee

"Walk in. Plant yourself. Look them in the eye and tell the truth."
-- James Cagney

Speech giving really is about as simple as Cagney’s statement. But let’s flesh it out with a few details.

First, this may seem obvious, but it bears repeating: All speeches and presentations have an opening, a middle and an ending.

The Opening
The opening should include remarks that connect you with your audience. Congratulate the group on some recent accomplishment. Mention some upcoming event the group is hosting or say something complimentary to a member of the audience.

Openings are also good places to tell humorous stories. If you’re not already in the habit, start collecting humorous personal anecdotes. Keep a file of them and practice, practice, practice delivering them. Be sure to use a story that segues into the meat of your remarks.

Then, tell the audience what you’re going to tell them. Audiences want signposts of what’s coming.

The Middle
Here’s where you tell them your three key points. Try to limit speeches to three main points. Any more and you risk audience overload and a speech that is too long for the average attention span.

When it comes to longer presentations, which may include more visuals and audience interaction, you can increase the number of key messages. But remember, the more key points you include, the more you dilute your overall message.

Be sure to include plenty of anecdotes, quotes, examples and visual imagery to illustrate each of the main points.

The middle is also where you can make use of visual enhancements. But keep them to a minimum. You are the main visual for your speech.

The Ending
Finally, tell them what you just told them. Review the three key points.

Repetition is an essential tool for effective public speaking. That’s because most people are visual learners. They remember more of what they see than what they hear. So repeat, repeat, repeat.

Then wrap it up with a story that once again amplifies your main points. It can be a personal anecdote or a story about someone else. Stories about famous people can be very effective in closing a speech.

Your final words need to be an exhortation or a pronouncement of some kind, depending on the type of speech you are giving.

Rhetorical questions can be effective if you’re urging your audience to take action. Example: "Can we do it? Can we afford not to do it?"

If your speech is a one of goodwill, end on a note of appreciation.

Remember, the ending is your last opportunity to have an impact on the audience. Make the most of it.

BONUS TIP OF THE MONTH:
The best speeches are simple and brief. Resist the temptation to weave complicated narratives for your audience. Resist the temptation to speak for more than 20 minutes. Unless you’re an accomplished speaker, you risk losing your audience if you talk longer and use complex thoughts. And in
the process, you’ll lose your opportunity to plant your key messages in their minds.

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