Some Thoughts on Public Speaking…
I have the opportunity to do and observe a lot of public speaking in a variety of different formats, and while watching the Tiger Wood’s press conference a few thoughts came to mind.
First, when I speak I’m a scripter. I like to write down a “speech”, or almost everything I think I would like to say, and then I usually edit and refine my oratory in an attempt to bring as much clarity and focus as I possibly can (something I should probably try and do with more of my blog posts!). I find the benefits of this approach are numerous. For instance, I know exactly what I am going to say and I usually don’t have to be nervous because I am fully prepared. From this point of preparation it is usually more about rhetoric and delivery as to the ultimate effectiveness of my presentation. Many persons that I know whom are “nervous” about public speaking usually do not know how to go through this preparation stage, and therefore are afraid that they wouldn’t know what to say if they were in front of a group of people.
Another advantage to my approach that I enjoy is the presentation stays on topic, and you’ll know pretty much how long your presentation will take. This is a gift for your audience. There is nothing harder to follow than some person “winging it,” rambling, and following bunny trails unrelated to their presentation. In fact, I would suggest that not writing down your presentation in some sort of full form is a good way to turn a 20 minute speech or sermon into a forty-five minute disconnected speech or sermon.
However, there is a drawback to this approach. It’s really easy to get too attached to your notes. I’m pretty sure we’ve all seen this in the academy as someone stands behind a podium and looks down at their notes and robotically reads from them for forty minutes. Snooze o’clock. But this also happens in public speeches and sermons.
Here’s an example of a public speaker being too tied to their notes:
“Elin has acted with grace… (looks down) and poise.” You know, you should be able to reference your wife and her behaviour without referring to your notes. I’m also going to suggest that it should be so easy that you could come up with several adjectives right on the spot. Elin has acted with grace, restraint, poise, patience, etc.
I find that a good way to avoid Tiger’s mistake whenever I am speaking is to make a simple note to myself:
“I was talking to my wife yesterday…”
“When I was a kid…”
“I have two children…”
These sort of moments are very effectual for the presenter that likes to script their information. One, it forces you away from those notes for a few moments, and two, it allows you to undertake a more casual tone which allows some eye-contact with your audience and movement for the speaker. This also allows the audience a “break” before you move back into some of your other material. When talking about personal experiences or your family you need to be able to do this without referring to any notes.
So there you go. When I am public speaking I try to be as fully prepared and focused as possible by writing, scripting, and thinking through exactly what I want to say long before I am required to stand in front of a group of people. However, at the same time I also make a real effort to be as non-reliant on my notes as possible by being familiar with my material and having “unscripted” moments that force me to interact with my audience.
How about you guys? What works for you?
I do a fair bit of speaking in different contexts. I’ve also had the benefit of professional training, back when I worked for a large IT training company. Even though I speak a lot I tend to not do it off the cuff very often. Back when I started out in ministry I would just start with a text and meander my way through all my favourite proof-texts, so sad I know. Now it is rare for me to cite anything beyond the lectional text, I dislike the hop through the bible technique. But you asked about speaking in general.
I’m a speaking points kinda speaker. I rarely have anything more than an outline when I speak. This lets me be fairly flexible but at the same time have a solid structure. I also practice, once minimum for regular talks (if you see me driving and talking out loud with noone there – I’m getting ready for my message), but usually twice minimum for special events – like when you invite me to guest preach at your church. (I’m also highly respective of time constraints because I like to get invited back!)
I find if I have too much text (notes) then I get lost. But a few words can trigger a story or teaching point quite adequately.
I hear you about blogging though. I am so bad a stream of consciousness writing on my blog.
You are absolutely right – Woods’ speech was far too dependent on notes. It’s interesting because I read the text of it (didn’t feel the need to actually watch it) but then heard some clips of it on the radio which were so bad, I thought that radio host was doing an imitation.
I know he probably was under a lot of pressure and was very nervous, but it came across as far too scripted. Excellent post.
Great and informative post!
In my presentation I take note of three things to be more effective:
1. Prepare your speech thoroughly
2. Practice frequently and
3. Present thoughtfully.