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Have you ever worried about writing or presenting a speech? All of us, from the novice to the very experienced, get somewhat anxious about public speaking. Using examples from some of the most successful public orators as well as his own lengthy experience, James C. Humes has put together a book which provides a lot of useful advice to improve one’s speeches and onstage personality.
In his book, ‘Speak like Churchill and Stand like Lincoln’ Humes provides 21 ways to power-up your presentations. Each of these ways is presented clearly and concisely. I would love to discuss all 21, but for the sake of time I have chosen the nine which stood out the most for me.
- Power Pause – Napoleon apparently was a master of pausing for effect. Before starting a speech to his troops he would sometimes pause for 60 seconds. This wait would build people’s anticipation and focuses the audience towards you.
- Power Opener – Your first words will set the tone for the speech. They will also give your audience an idea of how closely they will pay attention to what you have to say. Try to open with a substantial idea, quote or statistic – something that will convey your message and people will remember.
- Power Point – This isn’t referring to a certain Microsoft program but with providing the audience with a clear message. You should relay this message in a cogent and straightforward way. Eisenhower once said that ‘you ought to be able to put your bottom-line message on the inside of a matchbook before you ever start at your typewriter’.
- Power Quote – Using quotes in your speech is a great way to add authority to your message. Just be sure that you’re using the quote appropriately and can cite the source.
- Power Statistics – Benjamin Disraeli is quoted as saying ‘There are lies, damned lies and then there are statistics’. Using statistics can add authority and legitimacy to your point.
- Power Reading – This is something I see even from CEOs of large corporations; they read a speech from notes and look down the whole time. Never read a speech to an audience while looking down, it disconnects you from them.
- Power line – A power line is a memorable phrase which conveys your message in a sentence or two. Think for example of Roosevelt’s power point ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself’, it’s clear and memorable.
- Power Question – Questions are a way to get your audience involved and thinking about your message. If you want your audience to get motivated by your speech, then present them with questions. A good example of this is JFK’s ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country’ (although this isn’t technically a question, you get the idea).
- Power Closer – How you end a speech will strongly affect how your audience feels about what you said and will be what they remember after you’re done. You should end your speech with a powerful statement or story. Even a bad speech can be saved with a great ending.
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