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