Only a brilliant man knows whether the applause for his words is politeness or appreciation.
Speeches are like babies; easy to conceive but hard to deliver.
Before I speak, I have something important to say.
- Groucho Marx
"As an apple of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it." - Proverbs 25:11
KEEP IT SIMPLE
The Lord's Prayer contains 56 words
The Gettysburg Address contains 272 words
The Ten Commandments contains 297 words
The USA Declaration of Independence contains 300 words
A bag of Lay's Potato Chips contains 401 words
The IRS Form 1040EZ contains 418 words
Average USA-Today cover story contains 1,200 words
A recent federal publication on setting the price of cabbage contains 26,911 words
To keep audience focus and attention during a presentation, do a "prize" give-away every 20 minutes or so. Ask a review question on a pertinent point you recently made, first person with the correct answer gets the prize.
It has been said that every speaker has his moment, and some listeners wish it was just that - a moment. So, remembering that the capacity of the mind to absorb is limited by what the seat can endure, I will keep my remarks short.
Once you get people laughing, they're listening and you can tell them almost anything.
- Herb Gardner
A loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice, even if it's a whisper.
- Barry Neil Kaufman
Words must be weighed, not counted.
I don't think I handle the notes much differently from other pianists. But the pauses between the notes - oh, there is where the artistry lies!
- Arthur Schnabel (responding to a reporter inquiring as to the secret of his genius)
The essential mark of an unbiased presentation is whether it addresses opposing views accurately, in their strongest forms. Propaganda, on the other hand, ignores or caricatures its opponents, or gives weak, watered-down renditions of their arguments.
- Michael Behe
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain
The story is told of the way Secretary of State William M. Evarts began a Thanksgiving dinner speech. He said, "You have been giving your attention to a turkey stuffed with sage; you are now about to consider a sage stuffed with turkey."
Few sinners are saved after the first 20 minutes of a sermon.
- Mark Twain
If you haven't struck oil in five minutes, stop boring.
- George Jessel, on after-dinner speakers
When the main portion of the meal was finished, the presiding person whispered to the first speaker, "Shall we let the people enjoy themselves a little longer, or would you like to deliver your speech now?"
Be sure your brain is in gear before engaging your mouth.
Eloquence: saying the proper thing and stopping.
- Francois de la Rochefoucauld
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.
- Benjamin Franklin
Governor Claude A. Swanson of Virginia had made a long and rambling speech. Afterwards a woman came up to... shake his hand. "How did you like my speech?" he asked. She answered, "I liked it fine. But it seems to me you missed several excellent opportunities." Swanson was puzzled. "Several excellent opportunities to do what?" "To quit," she replied.
Use QUESTIONS as an effective teaching aid: Can you imagine trying to improve your target shooting if you don't look at the target to see the results of each shot? Questions help you to see how well you are hitting the target. Same would be true of trying to bowl by throwing the ball over a curtain that blocked the view of the pins.
For effective public speaking, remember the "SPEAK" acronym:
S = Simplify your material
P = Prepare & Practice
E = Enthusiasm
A = Anxiety - channel it
K = Knowledge of your subject
The ability to express an idea is well nigh as important as the idea itself.
- Bernard Baruch
The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts working the minute you're born and never stops working until you get up to speak in public.
When making a slide for a presentation, avoid the "Lord's prayer on the head of a pin" syndrome. A whole KJV Bible has been placed on one 2 1/4 inch Microfiche. Interesting, but not very useful. Are the slides in your presentation too busy?
Understand it? Why this is so simple a 4 year old child could understand it. Quick, someone run out and get me a 4 year old child.
- Groucho Marx
If I went back to college again, I'd concentrate on two areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience. Nothing in life is more important that the ability to communicate effectively.
- President Gerald R. Ford
A speaker who is attempting to move people to thought or action must concern himself with Pathos (i.e., their emotion.)
- Aristotle
The power of the VISUAL: Consider the safety instructions sheet found on every airplane. This serves as a excellent example of the power of the visual over the written. Why? Overcomes language barriers, catches your attention, more info in shorter amount of time, get a "gestalt" viewpoint, easier to remember. Use VISUALS to capture the attention and retention of YOUR audiences.
Never speak more clearly than you think.
- Jeremy Bernstein
INTIMIDATION: A survivor of the Jamestown flood finally died and arrived in heaven. He asks Peter if he can give a speech regarding his experiences and how he managed to survive. Just before he gives his speech, Peter says "Oh, by the way, just one small thing you might be interested in knowing - Noah is in the audience."
ORATORY: The art of making deep noises from the chest sound like important messages from the brain.
JUST FOR SPEAKERS: (Try using these statements when appropriate!)
End of Quotes on "Public Speaking" |