Chapter 7: Speech Setting and Occasion
What are some strategies for holding your audience's attention when your speech needs to be longer than 18-20 minutes?
1. break up your talk. 2. cover the basic in 18-20 min and then have Q+A 3. Insert short personal stories or anecdotes to help drive home your point.
How do you determine the ideal length of time to speak?
20min is the max. Aim for 5% or 10% less.
What are some guidelines you can use for deciding what to wear and how to groom yourself?
Be comfortable: Your clothes should be comfortable and flattering Rarely should you wear brand-new clothes or shoes Be appropriate: Standard business clothing is a good idea for important and professional presentations Be yourself: The objective is to look professional, but not to look like a clone! Don't abandon a signature piece of clothing or accessory
What are the key questions you should consider regarding the occasion for your speech?
Criteria to help you choose appropriate media for a speech: Ease of use:How familiar are you with the medium? Audience expectations :Does your audience expect to see a computer- assisted multimedia presentation, or is it accustomed to following a handout? Availability :If things go wrong, how quickly can you adapt? I.e. If your computer shuts down, will you have time to get it going again? Adaptability :Can you get the equipment you need to the place where you will be speaking? Is the equipment available at the site? How much will is cost? Is the cost worth it?
What is the difference between supplies and equipments?
Equipment- projection screens, computers, overhead projectors, and microphones Supplies: backup flip charts, backup disks, extra bulbs, markers, chalk, pointers
Occasion vs Protocol
Occasion:used to explain the reason why an audience has assembled at a particular place and time. Questions about the occasion: Speaker: Why are you speaking on this occasion? Expectations: What does the audience expect for this occasion? Protocol: What is appropriate for this occasion? Protocol: expected format of a ceremony or the etiquette observed at particular type of event
What are some guidelines you can use for deciding what to wear and how to groom yourself?
Wardrobe guidelines Be comfortable Be appropriate Be yourself
Is speaker attractiveness important? What does the research say about this?
Your speech should be the center of an audience's attention. If something about your appearance could distract your listeners, fix it or leave it far from the lectern.
What are the logistical considerations a speaker faces?
strategic planning, arranging, and use of people, facilities, time, and materials relevant to your speech.Best practices for adapting to logistics: Site: Where will I speak? (Seating, air/temperature/lighting/sound) Audience Size: How many people will be in my audience? Time and duration: When and how long should I speak?
Why is time management so important to public speaking?
your audience gave you their time; don't take more than you've been given. Audience may not understand purpose if too long. Shorten version is crisper and more focused. Audince may become impatient or bored if you exceed the time limit.
