Thursday, November 02, 2006

WLA 2006: MARC My Words: Elements of Speaking for Librarians

Manuel Urrizola clearly and concisely explained and demonstrated the basics of creating, preparing and presenting a speech.

Select and define topic:
  1. Where or for what occasion are you speaking
  2. To whom are you speaking?
  3. Why? What is my approach?
Five approaches/Elements
  • Inform - Bibliographic Instruction
  • Persuade - Vendors
  • Entertain - Storytimes
  • Inspire - ex Gettysburg Address
  • Advocate/Call to Action - Fundraisers
How to support topic?
  • Facts, quotes
  • History or future of topic
  • Stories
  • Balance:
    ex. Pros & Cons, Before & After, Question & Answers, Problem & Solution
Three is the magic number - 3 facts, 3 bullet points, 3 whatevers

Introduction:
  • Get their attention
  • State your topic
  • Give audience know your approach
Body of Speech:
  • Supporting elements
  • Develop topic and support topic
Conclusion:
  • Summarize
  • Let them know where to go
  • Mirror your beginning (ex start & end with a quote)
  • Make it clear
Overcoming Nervousness

Why do we get nervous?
  • We don't want to fail
  • We want to be liked
  • We care
Your brain chemistry is kicking in.

How to control nervousness?
  • Be Prepared!
  • Try relaxation techniques (ex deep breathing)
  • Do something physical
  • Experience
Rehearse
  • Memorize beginning and ending
  • Write it out
  • Practice it
  • Time your speech
Don't rely on your props--certainly not PowerPoint. What if computer failure?

It IS a performance. Don't kid yourself. They want more than just content.

Make the audience believe you:
  • Speak with authority
  • Don't apologize
  • Be direct
  • Use logic
Motivate your audience (appeal to self interest):
  • Inspirational language
  • Show some enthusiasm
  • Financial rewards
Move your audience (emotional engagement):
  • Personal experience
  • Buzz words
  • Make them laugh
  • Trauma or Suspense
Show what you mean
  • Body Language
  • Move around room
  • Gestures - bigger the room or audience, the bigger the gesture
  • Eye Contact
  • Facial expressions
Show what you mean - using Sound
  • Inflection
  • Volume
  • Imitation
  • Rate
  • Variety
  • Vary pitch & tone
  • Metaphores, alliterations
Show what you mean - Visual
  • Clothing
  • Chart
  • PowerPoint - should only illustrate speech, add to
  • Props
  • Handouts
Silence is golden
  • Remember to breathe
  • Wait for answers to questions
  • When you don't rember your next line
  • Don't use filler words. No ummmm. When catch filler word, repeat sentence w/o it.
End:
  • Make sure audience knows -- ex turn it over to host
  • Make ending strong. Thank you is not a strong ending
  • End. Stop.
Post-Mortem:
  • Evaluations, suggestions from audience
  • Experience
  • Exercises

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