- Home
- PrintNPost How To?
- How To Make A Speech That Stirs Up Your Audience
How To Make A Speech That Stirs Up Your Audience
- By Benson Yeung
- Published 06/30/2008
- PrintNPost How To?
- Unrated
Benson Yeung
born in 1960s, grew up in Hong Kong, went to medical school in Sydney. lived in Hong Kong, Sydney, London and Chicago. currently working as a general surgeon in private practice in Hong Kong. writes during my little spare time left from professional and family life. Education/Experience: University of New South Wales, MBBS. University of Birmingham, M. Sc (hospital and health management) Interests: writing, reading, running, internet, health promotion, education Motto: live your dreams
View all articles by Benson Yeung
Speeches That Stir And Presentations That Stick
I went to a seminar by Cheng DS, a well-known television host and actor in Hong Kong, on the title "Speeches that Stir". It was a delight to have a lively presentation on public speaking skills, which felt more like a TV game show. The take home messages:
1. Make a killer beginning. Whether the audience will listen or just sit through it hinges on this. Cut out the "I am indeed honored and privileged....."
2. Cut the redundant words.
Write down your speech. Shorten it by 30 percent by deleting
the unnecessary details. Shorten it by another 20 percent no matter how hard it
seems, this time you can be deleting some of the things you actually like. You
have it there in your hands, ready for presentation.
3. A little drama goes a long way. Dramatize a couple of points. Sound as if you are absolutely emotional with these couple of points. Don't over do it.
4. Be yourself. Give the audience what is yours rather than what comes out of the encyclopedia, the dictionary or Reuters.
5. Make a good snappy ending. Don't repeat points already made. Don't over-stay your welcome.
Use these techniques to help your audience take your message home.
I went to a seminar by Cheng DS, a well-known television host and actor in Hong Kong, on the title "Speeches that Stir". It was a delight to have a lively presentation on public speaking skills, which felt more like a TV game show. The take home messages:
1. Make a killer beginning. Whether the audience will listen or just sit through it hinges on this. Cut out the "I am indeed honored and privileged....."
2. Cut the redundant words.
3. A little drama goes a long way. Dramatize a couple of points. Sound as if you are absolutely emotional with these couple of points. Don't over do it.
4. Be yourself. Give the audience what is yours rather than what comes out of the encyclopedia, the dictionary or Reuters.
5. Make a good snappy ending. Don't repeat points already made. Don't over-stay your welcome.
Use these techniques to help your audience take your message home.