Guidelines for a Good Short Speech

Giving a short speech can be nerve wracking, but following basic guidelines can ensure success.

The key to success with any speech is to capture, and not lose, the audience's attention while delivering your message. A good short speech needs to grab the audience immediately and hit on key points in order to deliver information in a quick and concise manner. There is no time for tangents or supplemental information.

Subject

A speaker should always be an expert in their subject. You want to give the audience information they didn't have before, or make them think about something in a new way. With a short speech there is less time to impart information. Topics that can be boiled down to a few key points are best. There isn't time for lengthy explanations or to tell the audience everything you know on a subject.

Practice

You've likely heard the saying "practice makes perfect." Speakers sometimes feel that they can just wing it when it comes to short speeches, but as with any other speech, practice is key to success. Timing is critical with a short speech. Practicing several times with a stop watch will ensure a speaker finishes, and hits all major points, in the allotted time. Practicing in front of a fake audience helps a speaker address their nerves.

Engage

The audience is a key player in a good short speech. Your goal is to make them want to listen. In a short speech you have to get their attention immediately. Smiling, making eye contact, and speaking with authenticity and enthusiasm are all tools for capturing your audience. Starting with a joke or something unexpected will make sure all eyes are you. Then you can get straight to your message.

Visual Aids

Visual aids, such as flip charts, hand outs and computer presentations can enhance a speech. They can also distract from the speaker. Visual aids should be relevant to the topic. They should highlight the information given rather than rehashing it. Visual aids should be clear and simple. Bold colors and animation can be used to get attention but shouldn't upstage the speaker. Speakers also need to be careful to keep addressing the audience and not speak to the visual aids.

References

• AIPG; How to Give a Good Speech; Henry H. Fisher; January/February 2003
• Lifehack; 18 Tips for Killer Presentations; Scott Young; August 23, 2011

Resources

• Toastmasters
• Famous Speeches and Speech Topics: Famous Short Speeches