Proper breathing is critical to having enough breath to speak clearly -- without muffled words or slurred endings. This is especially true when you are speaking for any length of time . Without it your voice will become hoarse and muffled
Proper breathing can be difficult, however -- even for veteran news anchors or reporters -- who you can hear gasping for air on occasion -- unless it becomes a part of everyday breathing. Most of us go through the day taking in just enough air with shallow chest breathing to keep from collapsing.
If this is a problem you have one way to overcome it is through regular practice of correct breathing. Start by lying on the floor or mattress. Place your hands on your sides about waist level and take in a deep breath to the count of three or four.
If you are doing this properly you should feel your waist expand as your diaphragm presses downwards on your intestines -- not your chest -- which happens when your breathing is very shallow. Now hold your breath for a few seconds and gradually exhale to that same three to four second count.
Gradually extend the length of these breaths and exhalations making both these of phases of breathing last as long a possible without becoming uncomfortable or breathless.
When you have mastered this correct breathing lying down stand and start practicing the same thing (or even while sitting). Eventually through regular practice it will all become automatic. You'll feel much better and your speech --even when not in front of an audience will become much clearer.
It can all feel a little awkward at first but it is just like learning to ride that bicycle.
This is the first stage in gaining control of your breathing when making a presentation or. Eventually it will all become automatic when you are speaking, when you want to be focusing on your material -- not your breathing.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Make Visuals Clarify Your Presentation
Good visuals in your presentation can clarify main points and make it much easier for you and your audience -- whether the visuals are illustrations on a flip chart, whiteboard, slide projector, power point projector or video.
But.
But remember that they must be used to help develop the main idea or concept behind your presentation or talk. And the visuals must support what you write and say as you develop this.
Used properly good, professionally created visuals difficult or complex parts of your presentation much easier to understand.
So don't just throw in a bunch of visuals just to make your presentation more colourful. Doing this will only make it more confusing.
Site down and plan everything carefully when you first start working on your presentation and make sure those visuals support your main idea and what you have to write or say about it.
And just remember that visuals do not need to be elaborate Power Point presentations to be effective.
Remember that old KISS formula:"Keep It Simple Stupid." The stupid part comes in when you go overboard to Shock and Awe your audience with elaborate visuals that only draw attention to themselves.
But.
But remember that they must be used to help develop the main idea or concept behind your presentation or talk. And the visuals must support what you write and say as you develop this.
Used properly good, professionally created visuals difficult or complex parts of your presentation much easier to understand.
So don't just throw in a bunch of visuals just to make your presentation more colourful. Doing this will only make it more confusing.
Site down and plan everything carefully when you first start working on your presentation and make sure those visuals support your main idea and what you have to write or say about it.
And just remember that visuals do not need to be elaborate Power Point presentations to be effective.
Remember that old KISS formula:"Keep It Simple Stupid." The stupid part comes in when you go overboard to Shock and Awe your audience with elaborate visuals that only draw attention to themselves.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Grab a Think Pak!
Need a little help in coming up with ideas or revising your presentation?
You might want to grab a Think Pak developed by Michael Michalko, author of Thinkertoys, published by Ten Speed Press in California.
This is a brainstorm tool that comes in card format in a box along with a small instruction booklet.
The basic ideas behind the techniques Michalko suggests sare embedded in the acronym SCAMPER. He says when solving idea problems following the steps suggested here you can: (1) Substitute something (2) Combine it with something else (3) Adapt something to it (4) Modify Magnify it (5) Put it to some other use (6) Eliminate something or (Reverse or Rearrange it.
While it was not designed specifically for speech writers or presenters I've found you can use it to come up with new ideas in your presentation quite effectively.
You might not use all of the steps presented in SCAMPER technique but together or singly these brainstorming steps can help you to come up with new ideas or to revise some part of your presentation that just doesn't seem to work.
The Think Pak might work for you or it might help you to devise your own brainstorming and editing tool that's quick and easy to use. For more information click on "Think Pak" online.
(See "Teeth" Below)
(See "Teeth" Below)
Protect Those Teeth!
Good oral health -- including teeth and gum care can help you to speak clearly as they play a big role in turning that breath of air coming out of your throat into pleasing words.
I know of one talented public speaker who neglected good oral health care when he was younger and now is confronted with the problem of having to work extra hard to pronounce some words clearly.
And in addition to this he is very conscious of missing and discolored teeth and so often does not smile enough when making otherwise excellent presentations.
Now he is faced with the problem of having to get dental implants
Do not let this happen to you!
I know of one talented public speaker who neglected good oral health care when he was younger and now is confronted with the problem of having to work extra hard to pronounce some words clearly.
And in addition to this he is very conscious of missing and discolored teeth and so often does not smile enough when making otherwise excellent presentations.
Now he is faced with the problem of having to get dental implants
Do not let this happen to you!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Stand or Ssit?
What is the best thing to do when giving your presentation -- stand or sit? That depends.
It depends first of all on your setting. Do you have a small audience of one to six persons? Then it is often better to sit because it creates a warmer atmosphere. That is unless you have are working with slides or a power point presentation. Then it would become pretty awkward to keep jumping up and down to change slides or operate the projector.
With larger audiences it is better to stand as it is much easier to enliven our presentation with appropriate gestures, body language, and even move around the stage to get closer to your audience -- when possible -- rather than giving your presentation from a static position behind the lectern -- or to work with that whiteboard, slide or power point projector.
Just remember to stand unsupported by anything. Never lean back on a table with your hands supporting you on either side or put one leg up on chair. You might think it looks more relaxed. It doesn't. It might work in some rare situations -- if you were making a presentation to a group of construction workers in a makeshift lunch room for instance -- but be careful.
Next Tuesday we're going to take a look at effective humour. Until then have as great Victoria Day weekend -- or just a great weekend.
It depends first of all on your setting. Do you have a small audience of one to six persons? Then it is often better to sit because it creates a warmer atmosphere. That is unless you have are working with slides or a power point presentation. Then it would become pretty awkward to keep jumping up and down to change slides or operate the projector.
With larger audiences it is better to stand as it is much easier to enliven our presentation with appropriate gestures, body language, and even move around the stage to get closer to your audience -- when possible -- rather than giving your presentation from a static position behind the lectern -- or to work with that whiteboard, slide or power point projector.
Just remember to stand unsupported by anything. Never lean back on a table with your hands supporting you on either side or put one leg up on chair. You might think it looks more relaxed. It doesn't. It might work in some rare situations -- if you were making a presentation to a group of construction workers in a makeshift lunch room for instance -- but be careful.
Next Tuesday we're going to take a look at effective humour. Until then have as great Victoria Day weekend -- or just a great weekend.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Speak with Conviction
When dealing with sensitive or important issues you need to speak with convictions if you want your audience to consider serious what you are saying -- and then act on it. The key is to use language that reflects that conviction.
That means, however, that you must take the time to understand your material and are moved by it yourself first. Before you say your first word you be fully convinced of the truthfulness and value of what you are going to tell your listeners.
Obviously just copying material from the Web or from some printed source and then just reciting that will not work.
Although we live in the electronic age the best way to absorb and understand your research material when preparing your speech or presentation is still in write your drafts by hand, stopping to think about what it all means -- as well as what each word the writer of the source material used means.
Either that or do you information analysis in that mind map form.
That means, however, that you must take the time to understand your material and are moved by it yourself first. Before you say your first word you be fully convinced of the truthfulness and value of what you are going to tell your listeners.
Obviously just copying material from the Web or from some printed source and then just reciting that will not work.
Although we live in the electronic age the best way to absorb and understand your research material when preparing your speech or presentation is still in write your drafts by hand, stopping to think about what it all means -- as well as what each word the writer of the source material used means.
Either that or do you information analysis in that mind map form.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Be a Good Fisherman!
When preparing your presentation be like a professional fisherman. He doesn't just go fishing -- be goes prepared to catch a fish. He uses the right bait or lure to attract and hook that fish.
That is the same thing want to do -- to attract and hook your audience with that right lure or bait -- whether it is a startling question, a dramatic statement, a quotation.
Think about what you are going to use very carefully. If he or she is after a trout the fisherman (or woman) doesn't use something that would work wonderfully -- with a salmon.
So too, make sure your introductory lure is something appropriate for both your material and your audience.
Have A Great Weekend!
That is the same thing want to do -- to attract and hook your audience with that right lure or bait -- whether it is a startling question, a dramatic statement, a quotation.
Think about what you are going to use very carefully. If he or she is after a trout the fisherman (or woman) doesn't use something that would work wonderfully -- with a salmon.
So too, make sure your introductory lure is something appropriate for both your material and your audience.
Have A Great Weekend!
How Are You Going to Develop Your Presentation?
There is a lot to think about before you even start you start gathering material for your presentation: Like an essay a presentations can be developed a number of ways to bring out the main points effectively.
Although nothing is cut in stone you should decide this before you even begin to gather material. Sit down in a personal brainstorming session and ask yourself: Is it going to be based on Description, Narration, or one of the other techniques to build the main points and supporting material of your speech such as: Compare and Contrast; Cause and Effect; Problem and Solution; Classification and Division; or How To ? Or are you going to use a combination of these?
Or -- is your presentation going to be argumentative or persuasive?
Lay all of this out in the Mind Map and think about it carefully. It will make the rest of your speech or presentation research and writing much easier.
Just which method you use, of course, will depend on your material, audience, and purpose. You should have a clear mental picture of these last two --especially -- before you do anything
Although nothing is cut in stone you should decide this before you even begin to gather material. Sit down in a personal brainstorming session and ask yourself: Is it going to be based on Description, Narration, or one of the other techniques to build the main points and supporting material of your speech such as: Compare and Contrast; Cause and Effect; Problem and Solution; Classification and Division; or How To ? Or are you going to use a combination of these?
Or -- is your presentation going to be argumentative or persuasive?
Lay all of this out in the Mind Map and think about it carefully. It will make the rest of your speech or presentation research and writing much easier.
Just which method you use, of course, will depend on your material, audience, and purpose. You should have a clear mental picture of these last two --especially -- before you do anything
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Keep Your Eyes Open
Keep that notebook or recorder handy -- in your pocket or on the car seat beside you and be alert for possible illustrations you can use in your presentation. You just never know where and when they'll pop up.
For instance let's say you just passed a white-water river being run by rafting enthusiasts. How could this be used as an illustration?
Could you use it to illustrate how the hectic pace of life today is like being caught up in such a river -- without a rubber raft -- or perhaps the difficulty in reaching some goal?
Or perhaps you just read an article on the box fish -- a very square looking specimen with bumps or all over it. The magazine feature points out that when you first encounter this fish you would probably think that it looks very cumbersome, but despite its very square shape it is actually very aerodynamic and can speed through the water very easily (Look up box fish on line and you'll see what i mean.) and automobile designers have actually copied its shape in designing their vehicles because of this. How could you use this information in a speech?
It could make a good illustration of need not to get carried away with first impressions when making decisions about things or people because first impressions can be deceiving.
You probably run into even better potential illustrations so keep on the lookout for them and keep that notebooks or voice recorder handy to just them down for use in some current or future presentations.. Some people even use their cell phone cameras to record such things for future reference.
For instance let's say you just passed a white-water river being run by rafting enthusiasts. How could this be used as an illustration?
Could you use it to illustrate how the hectic pace of life today is like being caught up in such a river -- without a rubber raft -- or perhaps the difficulty in reaching some goal?
Or perhaps you just read an article on the box fish -- a very square looking specimen with bumps or all over it. The magazine feature points out that when you first encounter this fish you would probably think that it looks very cumbersome, but despite its very square shape it is actually very aerodynamic and can speed through the water very easily (Look up box fish on line and you'll see what i mean.) and automobile designers have actually copied its shape in designing their vehicles because of this. How could you use this information in a speech?
It could make a good illustration of need not to get carried away with first impressions when making decisions about things or people because first impressions can be deceiving.
You probably run into even better potential illustrations so keep on the lookout for them and keep that notebooks or voice recorder handy to just them down for use in some current or future presentations.. Some people even use their cell phone cameras to record such things for future reference.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Where Are Your Hands?
What do you do with your hands when making a presentation? You can run into problems if you are not conscious of this point.
Of course if you are busy changing slides or pointing things out on your whiteboard or Power Point presentation -- or gesturing to emphasize a point or help describe something this won't be a problem.
But where are your hands when you are not doing those things? Places they should never be include: crossed at the wrist in front of you (some persons actually make short jerky gestures from this position), behind your back, or in your pockets.
Some speakers place them lightly on either side of the lectern holding your notes. So long as you don't grip the sides of the lectern it looks quite natural and from this position it is easy to make those emphatic and descriptive gestures.
Others let their hands drop momentarily -- between gestures or other actions -- down by their sides. I find that this a little awkward and I begin to feel like a pencil with arms -- but you might find this works for you. The trick is to keep your finger tips slightly bent -- not curled into a fist.
Do whatever works best for you -- just keep them away from those three positions in front of you, behind you, or in your pockets.
Of course if you are busy changing slides or pointing things out on your whiteboard or Power Point presentation -- or gesturing to emphasize a point or help describe something this won't be a problem.
But where are your hands when you are not doing those things? Places they should never be include: crossed at the wrist in front of you (some persons actually make short jerky gestures from this position), behind your back, or in your pockets.
Some speakers place them lightly on either side of the lectern holding your notes. So long as you don't grip the sides of the lectern it looks quite natural and from this position it is easy to make those emphatic and descriptive gestures.
Others let their hands drop momentarily -- between gestures or other actions -- down by their sides. I find that this a little awkward and I begin to feel like a pencil with arms -- but you might find this works for you. The trick is to keep your finger tips slightly bent -- not curled into a fist.
Do whatever works best for you -- just keep them away from those three positions in front of you, behind you, or in your pockets.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Don't Sing To The Whole World
That was the advice to one of the young singers this evening on American Idol.
And it is true for public speakers or presenters as well. Pick different persons in your audience and speak directly to that person for a few seconds at a time.
Doing this will bring the natural warmth in your voice as you speak to these people on a one-to-one basis for those few seconds watching to see how they react and responding with that warm look or smile or maybe adding a few more explanatory words if they seem a bit puzzled.
Making such contact with different persons throughout your audience will make a big difference in how your message is received.
This can be a little difficult with really large audience but if you speak to those ones you can interact with in this way the rest of the audience -- even those a way in the back of the auditorium, will also pick up on your warmth and feeling and be effected in a positive way as well.
Make it a point to make such eye contact with your audience -- even if your audience is just one person -- and you are that cashier behind the counter. It builds a strong bond between you and your audience and make both you and your audience feel much better.
And it is true for public speakers or presenters as well. Pick different persons in your audience and speak directly to that person for a few seconds at a time.
Doing this will bring the natural warmth in your voice as you speak to these people on a one-to-one basis for those few seconds watching to see how they react and responding with that warm look or smile or maybe adding a few more explanatory words if they seem a bit puzzled.
Making such contact with different persons throughout your audience will make a big difference in how your message is received.
This can be a little difficult with really large audience but if you speak to those ones you can interact with in this way the rest of the audience -- even those a way in the back of the auditorium, will also pick up on your warmth and feeling and be effected in a positive way as well.
Make it a point to make such eye contact with your audience -- even if your audience is just one person -- and you are that cashier behind the counter. It builds a strong bond between you and your audience and make both you and your audience feel much better.
Organize Some of That First
Laurie Maylene Walter in the March 20212 edition of the Writer has some excellent advice on writing that first or final draft of that article -- or speech, but there is something she has omitted.
In her column, titled "5 steps to a solid article draft" she does present some invaluable advice such as:
First, "Organize your raw material" --going through your material like a talent scout looking for information that fits naturally together will help you to develop a theme, or major points.
She stresses not to allow yourself to be intimidated by the mass of material you have probably gathered. Just go through it and develop a rough idea of what you have and how it can be developed. Keep a notebook handy to jot down down those ideas on your theme as well as possible material for the introduction and conclusion.
(Incidentally, you should start developing some type of outline as you are doing this.)
Next from this outline "write a first draft." Don''t get caught up in trying to make it perfect or as Walter says, "you'll never progress to the finished product.
Then it is time to "Get it in shape." This she says is the time to look for problem areas and make needed changes. (There are some excellent aids such as Editing and Revising Text by J Billingham, a manual published by Oxford University Press that can help you to do this.)
According to Walter one thing is critical. "Have an open mind" Don't be afraid to chop that section of material that you loved and worked so hard if it just doesn't seem to fit now.
Remember nobody has seen your readers or audience have not seen or heard your first draft. They will never miss that , "brilliant but-mismatched section."
Finally before you send that finished article off to an editor or give your presentation "Don't forget the final polish".
To quote Walter, "Double-check the names, titles and quotes Also check for needless repetition, transitions and awkward word choices. Finally, consider snappy subheads or other breaks to improve the article's flow and organization."
This would be done in the revision stage of your article or presentation followed up by a careful proofreading of your material looking for typos or grammar or usage violations that would confused or irritate your audience or readers.
In all of the excellent advice she gives us, however, there is something she has omitted and that is the fact that all of this could be made much easier if you take the time to pre-organize your material as much as possible -- even before you conduct your first interview of experts or do other research.
This pro-organization can be done very quickly in the form of a Mind Map exploring ideas or areas you want to gather information on for your presentation -- whether it is going to be an oral one before an audience or in print first.
You'll find that this will make it all much easier and will probably cut down on the number of drafts you have to write before that final one.
I've written about this Mind Mapping (and Clustering) in a number of earlier posts, but you can find a lot more detailed help by typing in "Mind Mapping" on your browser.
All of these ideas will you to build that, "solid draft" for presentation in print or in front of some audience.
In her column, titled "5 steps to a solid article draft" she does present some invaluable advice such as:
First, "Organize your raw material" --going through your material like a talent scout looking for information that fits naturally together will help you to develop a theme, or major points.
She stresses not to allow yourself to be intimidated by the mass of material you have probably gathered. Just go through it and develop a rough idea of what you have and how it can be developed. Keep a notebook handy to jot down down those ideas on your theme as well as possible material for the introduction and conclusion.
(Incidentally, you should start developing some type of outline as you are doing this.)
Next from this outline "write a first draft." Don''t get caught up in trying to make it perfect or as Walter says, "you'll never progress to the finished product.
Then it is time to "Get it in shape." This she says is the time to look for problem areas and make needed changes. (There are some excellent aids such as Editing and Revising Text by J Billingham, a manual published by Oxford University Press that can help you to do this.)
According to Walter one thing is critical. "Have an open mind" Don't be afraid to chop that section of material that you loved and worked so hard if it just doesn't seem to fit now.
Remember nobody has seen your readers or audience have not seen or heard your first draft. They will never miss that , "brilliant but-mismatched section."
Finally before you send that finished article off to an editor or give your presentation "Don't forget the final polish".
To quote Walter, "Double-check the names, titles and quotes Also check for needless repetition, transitions and awkward word choices. Finally, consider snappy subheads or other breaks to improve the article's flow and organization."
This would be done in the revision stage of your article or presentation followed up by a careful proofreading of your material looking for typos or grammar or usage violations that would confused or irritate your audience or readers.
In all of the excellent advice she gives us, however, there is something she has omitted and that is the fact that all of this could be made much easier if you take the time to pre-organize your material as much as possible -- even before you conduct your first interview of experts or do other research.
This pro-organization can be done very quickly in the form of a Mind Map exploring ideas or areas you want to gather information on for your presentation -- whether it is going to be an oral one before an audience or in print first.
You'll find that this will make it all much easier and will probably cut down on the number of drafts you have to write before that final one.
I've written about this Mind Mapping (and Clustering) in a number of earlier posts, but you can find a lot more detailed help by typing in "Mind Mapping" on your browser.
All of these ideas will you to build that, "solid draft" for presentation in print or in front of some audience.
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