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Speakers Bureau Tool Box
Tips
on Using the Spoken Word
Words are all we have. Choose words that are fresh, original and unexpected!
Here are six tips to help you more effectively convey your message
by using clear and concise words.
- Speak Understandable Language -- Every word you speak
must be understood by your listeners instantly and accurately.
City water officials say, "We need to mitigate the impact
of this retention facility," when the mean: "We need
to keep this pond from flooding." When I stop to guess
what you're saying, there will be a gap in our communication.
Use words the audience is familiar with.
- Translate Technical Terms -- Speak the language of
your listeners. Adjust your language when using technical terms.
(1) Replace technical terms with common everday words. Example:
Use the word "cuts" for "lacerations". (2)
Define technical terms. Raise listeners to your level of understanding.
Us analogies. Example: "using a computer is like typing,"
or explain the history of a word. "Team" comes from
horse-farming and means to "pull together." Teamwork
is "organized cooperation."
- Use Picture Words -- To snag attention like barbed
wire, use picture words, not concepts, abstractions, generalities.
Picture words can be seen with the eyes or touched with the
finders. Example: A fire chief to a gym full of kids: "Today,
I'm going to tell you a sad story about a boy, a puppy and a
box of matches." Compare with: "Today, I'd
like to talk about fire safety." Name something your
audience can see or that they've experienced and you'll hold
your audience in the palm of your hand. We hear in images.
Show them real things and use verbs that show action (bite,
rattle, sting, jump, shake) and talk about people doing something.
- Use Lists of Three -- For recall and rhythm, present
information in units of three such as: "Faith, Hope
and Charity." Present your shortest item first, the
longer second and the longest third. Example: "Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Use alliteration
and begin all three items with the same sound or letter of the
alphabet. Example: "Peace, Progress, Prosperity,"
or "Joy of Generosity."
- Use Contrast Statements -- Contrast statements present two
ideas that contrast with each other; the contrast is set off
with the word "not." Example:
- Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for
you, ask what you can do for your country."
- "To be or not to be, that is the question."
- "The secret of defending yourself is not strength
of body, it's strength of mind."
- "Praise the poem, not the poet."
- "In our minds, we live not from pleasure to pleasure,
but from hope to hope."
- Put Most Important Idea Last -- Emphasis is at the
end of sentences (beginnings are second-most dramatic, middle
of the sentence is least-dramatic). State your most important
idea either as the final word or amont the last words. Seek
to leave the meaning of the sentence incomplete until the last
word. Example:
- If you want to show compassion for a person who has suffered,
begin by saying, "I'm sorry you ..."
By placing key words at the end, you create more powerful questions.
Information provided by Michael
Buschmohle, professional public speaker and president of Applause
Associates.
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