Speaking & Briefing Techniques

Effective speakers master a variety of techniques.

The strength of a speech or presentation can be the difference between an idea or proposal receiving a green light or being permanently shelved. Effective speakers master a variety of speaking and briefing techniques and devote significant time preparing a presentation before delivery. The good news is that effective speakers are made, not born, and speakers of all levels can improve with practice and experience.

Audience Analysis

Prior to drafting any speech, speakers should gather information about their potential audience and identify any factors which could positively or negative impact message acceptance. For example, if audience analysis reveals that listeners are likely to reject the proposed message, the speaker may need to verbally acknowledge audience reservations in order to keep his credibility and the audience's attention span. Determining the audience's prior exposure to the message is important since few like hearing the same speech over and over again. Speakers can collect audience information by interviewing the contact person for the presentation or by surveying audience members.

Organization

The stronger a speech's organization, the greater chance the audience can follow the message. All speeches and presentations should have a clearly stated thesis followed by a preview of main points. Speakers should start with an attention getter, such as a story or compelling fact, and conclude by summarizing main points and ending with a clincher, which is a memorable statement that reinforces the speech's key points. Speakers should also use verbal transitions to help the audience move from idea to idea. Verbal transitions include phrases such as "now that we've discussed the budget, let's talk about pay raises."

Visual Aids

Visual aids, such as Power Point slides, flip charts or even objects, can help keep an audience's attention as well as help listeners process information. The key to incorporating visual aids is that understanding that aids should enhance, not dominate, the presentation. The best visual aids capitalize on pictures, charts or graphs to depict information and avoid heavy amounts of text. When the visual aid is not in use, speakers should either cover it or, in the case of electronic slides, turn off the screen to direct focus back to the speaker.

Delivery

Effective speech and presentation delivery can build credibility and keep an audience listening. For large audiences, speakers should make eye contact by panning the room. For smaller audiences, speakers should make direct eye contact with individuals for enough time to complete the thought or sentence delivered. Gestures should be close to the body, and speakers should avoid distracting mannerisms such as playing with hair, shifting from foot to foot or swaying. Speakers should also vary their vocal tones, use purposeful pauses and project their voice so everyone in the audience can easily hear.

References

• "Speak Up: An Illustrated Guide to Public Speaking"; Douglas M. Fraleigh, et al.; 2008
• "Public Speaking For Success"; Bruce Bryski, et al.; 2004