How to Write and Give a Speech A Practical Guide for Executives, PR People, the Military, Fund-Raisers, Politicians, Educators, and Anyone Who Has to Make Every Word Count

by Detz, Joan

• ISBN13: 9780312302733
• ISBN10: 0312302738
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-02
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Summary

With more than 65,000 copies sold in two editions, this newly Apdated guide offers sound advice on every aspect of researching,writing, and delivering an effective speech. Filled with anecdotes, examples, and practical advice, this accessible guide makes one of the most daunting tasks manageableand even fun. Topics include:Assessing the audienceResearching the subjectand deciding what to leave outUsing imagery, quotations, repetition, and humorSpecial-occasion speechesSpeaking to international audiencesUsing Power Point and other visual aidsand more.Updated to include new examples and the latest technology, this is a must-have for both novices and experienced veterans at the podium.

Author Biography

Joan Detz coaches executives, offers media training, and conducts presentation skills workshops for major corporations. A popular presenter at professional conferences, she also teaches seminars in public speaking and speechwriting. Author of Can You Say a Few Words? and It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It, she lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For more information visit: www.joandetz.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xvii
Introduction	xix
So You've Been Asked to Give a Speech. Now What?	1	(4)
Determine What You Want to Say	1	(1)
What to Do If You Have Nothing to Say	2	(3)
Assessing Your Audience	5	(8)
Familiarity with the Subject	5	(1)
Attitudes	5	(1)
Preconceived Notions	6	(1)
Size	7	(1)
Age	8	(1)
Male/Female Ratio	9	(1)
Economic Status	9	(1)
Educational Background	10	(1)
Political Orientation	10	(1)
Cultural Life	10	(2)
An Additional Word to the Wise	12	(1)
Where and When Will You Speak?	13	(5)
Where	13	(2)
Plan a Speech That's Appropriate to the Setting
When	15	(3)
Plan a Speech That Suits the Time of Day
Should You Request a Particular Time Slot?
A Caution About Out-of-Town Conferences
How to Research a Speech	18	(10)
Use Your Head	18	(1)
Make Good Use of the Library	19	(1)
What to Leave Out	20	(1)
Approach the Topic from the Audience's Perspective	20	(1)
How to Use Statistics for Impact	21	(2)
How to Use Quotations	23	(1)
How to Use Definitions	24	(1)
How to Use Comparisons and Contrasts	25	(1)
How to Use Examples	25	(1)
How to Use Anecdotes	26	(1)
Some Final Thoughts About Research	27	(1)
Writing the Speech	28	(17)
The Never-Fail Formula	29	(1)
Tell Them What You're Going to Tell Them: The Opening	29	(5)
Praise the Audience
Make a Reference to the Date
Ask Some Questions
Use Local Details
Cite Your Professional Credentials---or Your Personal Credentials---or, Even Better, Both
Openings for Special Circumstances
Some Cautions About Begining a Speech
Tell Them: The Body	34	(6)
Chronological Order
Cause and Effect
Numerical Order
Problem-Solution Approach
Geographical Order
Alphabetical Order
Psychological Order
Transitions
Special Circumstances
One Final Point
Tell Them What You Told Them: The Conclusion	40	(5)
Use Compelling Imagery
Share Your Personal Philosophy
Tie Your Theme to an Anniversary
Tell a Humorous Story to Illustrate Your Point
End with a Strong Rhetorical Question
End with Words That Sound Strong
End with a Strong Commitment
How to Make It Simple	45	(17)
How to Make Every Word Count	45	(9)
Use Simple, Direct Words
Avoid Jargon
Avoid Euphemisms
Avoid Vague Modifiers
Don't Speak in Abbreviations
Don't Speak in Unfamiliar Languages
Avoid Sexist Language
Simplify Your Phrases	54	(3)
Avoid the Fluff Pitfall	57	(1)
Sharpen Your Sentences	57	(4)
A Quick Summation	61	(1)
The Ultimate Test	61	(1)
Style	62	(7)
How to Use Tripartite Division	62	(2)
How to Use Parallelism	64	(1)
How to Use Imagery	65	(1)
How to Use Inversion of Elements	65	(1)
How to Use Repetition	65	(1)
How to Use Rhetorical Questions	66	(1)
How to Use Contrast	67	(1)
How to Use Rhythm	67	(1)
How to Use Vivid Words	68	(1)
Humor: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why	69	(6)
Use a Light Touch	70	(1)
What Works	70	(2)
A Caution
What Are Your Chances of Getting a Laugh?	72	(1)
What About Delivery?	73	(2)
Special-Occasion Speeches	75	(30)
The Invocation	76	(1)
The Commencement Speech	77	(1)
Presenting an Award	78	(1)
Introducting a Speaker	79	(4)
What a Good Introduction Should Include
Five Cliches That Never Work in an Introduction
A Tacky Introduction
The Impromptu Speech	83	(2)
How to Organize an Impromptu Speech
Panel Presentations	85	(4)
How to Moderate
How to Be a Panelist
Some Tips for Team Presentations
Question-and-Answer Sessions	89	(16)
How to Handle Special Problems in a Q&A Session
How to Respond to Hostile Questions
Tips for Television Interviews
The Power of a Short Answer
How to Handle Trick Questions
What to Include in Your Answer
How to Use a Bridging Response
Use Humor Sparingly---If at All
The Nitty-Gritty Details	105	(21)
How to Type a Speech	105	(3)
How to Prepare the Room	108	(4)
How to Use Audiovisual Aids	112	(11)
PowerPoint
Video Clips
Flip Charts
Sound Effects
Objects
Creative Props
Emergency A-V Kit
Copyright Issues
How to Prepare Yourself	123	(3)
How to Look Your Best
How to Sound Your Best
Delivery	126	(16)
Practicing Your Delivery	127	(2)
Presence	129	(1)
Voice	130	(1)
Eye Contact	131	(1)
Lecterns	132	(1)
Body Language	132	(2)
When You Finish Speaking	134	(1)
Nervousness	135	(4)
Prespeech Tricks to Prevent Nervousness
During-the-Speech Tricks to Overcome Nervousness
Hecklers	139	(2)
Embarrassing Glitches	141	(1)
Media Coverage	142	(5)
International Speeches	147	(8)
How to Get Your Message Across in Any Language	148	(3)
Make It Timely
Express Your Pleasure at the Privilege of Addressing This Foreign Audience
Include References to Your Own Cultural Values
Use a Quotation That Reflects Your Host Country's Culture
Be Vivid
Be Inclusive
Cite Long-standing Friendships
Emphasize the Role of Families
How to Use a Translator	151	(2)
The Finishing Touches	153	(2)
Speakers Bureaus	155	(9)
Membership	156	(1)
Size	157	(1)
Training	158	(1)
Payment/Benefits	158	(1)
Motivation	159	(1)
Recognition/Rewards	160	(1)
Performance Standards	161	(1)
Letting the Community Know About Your Programs	162	(1)
Appropriate Forums	163	(1)
Speechwriters: How to Hire One and How to Work with One	164	(7)
Appendix: Useful Books, Web Sites, and Professional Organizations	171	(22)
Books	171	(18)
Anecdotes	171	(1)
Biographical Quotations	172	(1)
Birthday Celebrations and Anniversaries	172	(1)
Business	173	(1)
Calendar or Daily Listings	173	(1)
Careers	174	(1)
Colleges and Universities	175	(1)
Commencements	175	(1)
Definitions	175	(1)
Design and Typography Techniques	176	(1)
Entertainment	176	(1)
Environment and Ecology	176	(1)
Ethnic and Regional	177	(1)
Euologies	178	(1)
Food	178	(1)
History	179	(1)
Humor	179	(2)
Law	181	(1)
Military	181	(1)
Politics and Government	181	(1)
Predictions	182	(1)
Quotations	182	(2)
Religion and Philosophy	184	(1)
Science	185	(1)
Sports	186	(1)
Statistics	186	(1)
Storytelling	186	(1)
Toasts, Roasts, and Special Occasions	187	(1)
Weather	188	(1)
Weddings	188	(1)
Women	188	(1)
Web Sites for Speakers	189	(2)
American Indian Tales	189	(1)
Aphorisms, Proverbs, and Quotations	189	(1)
Biographical Information	189	(1)
Dates in History	189	(1)
Dictionaries	190	(1)
Index to the Internet	190	(1)
Myths and Legends	190	(1)
Newspapers Around the World	190	(1)
Speech Texts	190	(1)
U.S. History	191	(1)
Professional Organizations	191	(2)
Index	193