Write a Great Speech in 5 - 7 Minutes

Does the thought of writing and delivering a speech terrify you?� Most people share your fear.� But why remain scared of public oratory when the solution to this age old problem is so simple?� Follow these simple speaking tips and you'll be ready to present a decent speech next week.

First, take a deep breath and relax your mind.� Your challenge is to speak to an audience about a topic that you know something about.� In other words, you will be sharing your knowledge in a conversational manner with people who are interested in what you have to say.� Here's a relaxation tip:� Arrive arrive early for a presentation.� Meet everyone in the audience that you can.� Now you're suddenly talking to acquaintances and not� total strangers.��

Second, break down the elements of your speech.� A simple technique to use in your opening is the Attention Grabber Question.� Ask the audience a question that will force them to respond either aloud or to themselves.� This will get people involved with your topic and provide you with the positive feedback you need to share a quality message.� Decide on three main body points that you want to cover.� You may even choose three stories or anecdotes to use as the body points.� That will make audience sharing even easier.� The goal is to make you feel like you're telling a�story to a friend.� The only difference is that you're telling the story to ten, twenty, fifty or one hundred friends!

Finally, your conclusion must challenge, issue a call to action, or motivate your audience to do something positive with the information that you've just shared.� The conclusion is the most�frequently abused piece of a speech.� The speaker typically hurries to finish and leaves out a profound bit of wisdom that the audience needs and wants.

Speaker Beware - Don't try to memorize your speech word for word.� If you lose your place and�grasp for the exact word that makes up your script,� you may draw a mind blank and panic.� I learned this lesson the hard way while delivering a speech to a group of total strangers.� I felt humiliated and incompetent.� Luckily, an experienced speaker in the audience gently gave me�this sage�advice:� Share, but don't recite your information.

Let's look at a simple speech topic that can quickly� be developed into a�complete presentation.� Suppose you want to talk about container gardening.� An Attention Grabber Question might be, "How many of you have a green thumb?"� "Well neither did I until I started dropping plants into pots."� Audience members will either answer yes or no to the green thumb question.� You have their involvement at this point in the beginning.��

Your three main body points may�feature three different types of plants you have successfully grown in containers.� For added impact, show pictures of your work or bring a sample of your passion for gardening.� Props always add another dimension to your presentations.� Let your excitement about�the topic fuel your words.�

In the conclusion, simply tell the audience how easy it is to begin container gardening.� You may even give them�resources to explore for more information.� This leaves the audience members�with valuable advice that they can use after leaving the room.

For beginning orators, consider taking a three by five note card to the lectern.� The card should only feature the Attention Grabber Question, the three main body points, and the profound conclusion that sends the audience home feeling content and fulfilled.� Glance at the card only to keep order.� Make an effort to look at each audience member.� Use a sweeping eye movement so that you're sharing the information with everyone in the room.� As you gain confidence as a speaker, you can experiment with hand gestures, vocal variety and body movement.� These skills will develop with practice.

When you get that next speech assignment, decide to share and not recite your wisdom.� Break down the elements of the presentation.� Don't let the project overwhelm you.� Make sure you give the audience members something to take home.� You are offering some information that they can use.� With a positive, sharing�attitude, you can knock out a�quality presentation�in only 5 - 7 minutes!��