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An article on public speaking by
Patricia Fripp CSP, CPAE
When speaking
in public, your message, no matter how important, will not
be remembered if you don't recognize the importance of STRUCTURE.
Here are some practical ideas that can immediately make you
more effective.
Your Structure
Can you write the premise or objective of your talk in one
sentence? If not, the chances are that your thinking isn't
clear enough for the audience to understand your purpose.
And if you don't organize your material so the audience can
remember it easily, they'll have a hard time grasping your
message. They may be dazzled by your pizzazz and laugh at
your stories, but little will stay with them afterwards.
Your next structural imperative is to use statements that
make your audience ask "How?" or "Why?" For example, during
a talk on "Selling Yourself and Your Ideas to Upper
Management," I say, "Everyone in your position can sell
themselves and their ideas to upper management."
Immediately, my audience is asking themselves, "HOW can I do
that?" Or at another speech, I might say, "Every manager
needs to develop employees who can think entrepreneurially."
And the managers are all asking themselves, "WHY on earth do
I need to do that?"
Your answers to their mental questions, your How's or Why's,
become your "Points of Wisdom," the rationale for your
premise or objective. Illustrate each Point with stories,
examples, suggestions, practical advice, or recommendations.
Allow about ten minutes for each Point of Wisdom, an average
of three in a thirty minute presentation.
Finally, frame your premise and your Points of Wisdom with
an attention-getting opening and a memorable closing. For
example, I helped a scientist neighbor, Mike Powell, with a
speech he was delivering to a general audience. I suggested
that since most of us don't know what it is like to be a
scientist, he should tell the audience. Mike captured
everyone's attention by saying:
"Being a scientist is like doing a jigsaw puzzle...
in a snowstorm...at night...when you don't have all the
pieces...and you don't have the picture you are trying to create."
Your last thirty seconds must send people out energized and
fulfilled. Ask for questions before you close so you don't
diffuse the effect of your ending. Then finish with
something inspirational that supports your theme and creates
a "circle" with your opening. My scientist friend Mike
closed by saying, "At the beginning of my talk, I told you
of the frustration of being a scientist. Many people ask,
'So why do you do it?'"
Then Mike told them about the final speaker at a medical
conference he attended. She walked to the lectern and said,
"I am a thirty-two-year-old wife and mother of two. I have
AIDS. Please work fast." Mike received a standing ovation
for his speech. Even more important, several years later the
audience still remembers what he said and can actually quote
him!
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