Do you really speak like that?
In the audience at church today, we again were on the receiving end of a speech that is being read, instead of being spoken.
Our preacher read large portions of her sermon, and once again highlighted why presenters are more effective when speaking from the heart, and notes, but not reading a speech.
Firstly, the written word is more pure than the spoken word. We do not speak as clearly as we write. I am constantly shocked when I have a speech transcribed through iDictate.com, and I realize that some words are inaudible, I use so many filler words including the all-time USA favorite of "so". For example, "So here we were... " and "So therefore we deduce....".
We all know that we speak less formally than we write and your audience knows it too. Don't write a formal speech and then read it. Make your notes, and then present your points from your notes, in your normal manner of speaking.
You do not really speak in sentences such as "Despite the thoroughness of the preparation, the drought brought significant hardship for generations such that ... "
Secondly, the written word allows for more complex structures, has longer sentences and allows the reader to go back and reread pieces. Not so in a speech. The audience hears what the presenter says. If the presenter lists ten points in as many minutes, then the audience does not have the opportunity to go back and review point #2. For this reason, present with your normal sentence structure and speak from your notes, in your normal manner of speaking. Also recap your main points at the end of the speech.
Thirdly, and this one should be obvious. You lose eye-contact when you read your speech. Your audience knows that you are reading a prepared speech and they have no presenter to make eye-contact with, so (see, even I am now using this USA speaking style - hehehe), your audiences eyes and minds wander around the room looking for something to connect with.
There you have just three reasons to not read a speech to your audience. Rather keep your speeches simple so that you can work from short notes and tell stories from your heart.
Your audience does not want to be impressed by your writing. They want to see you present your true thoughts and opinions, in your words.
Our preacher read large portions of her sermon, and once again highlighted why presenters are more effective when speaking from the heart, and notes, but not reading a speech.
Firstly, the written word is more pure than the spoken word. We do not speak as clearly as we write. I am constantly shocked when I have a speech transcribed through iDictate.com, and I realize that some words are inaudible, I use so many filler words including the all-time USA favorite of "so". For example, "So here we were... " and "So therefore we deduce....".
We all know that we speak less formally than we write and your audience knows it too. Don't write a formal speech and then read it. Make your notes, and then present your points from your notes, in your normal manner of speaking.
You do not really speak in sentences such as "Despite the thoroughness of the preparation, the drought brought significant hardship for generations such that ... "
Secondly, the written word allows for more complex structures, has longer sentences and allows the reader to go back and reread pieces. Not so in a speech. The audience hears what the presenter says. If the presenter lists ten points in as many minutes, then the audience does not have the opportunity to go back and review point #2. For this reason, present with your normal sentence structure and speak from your notes, in your normal manner of speaking. Also recap your main points at the end of the speech.
Thirdly, and this one should be obvious. You lose eye-contact when you read your speech. Your audience knows that you are reading a prepared speech and they have no presenter to make eye-contact with, so (see, even I am now using this USA speaking style - hehehe), your audiences eyes and minds wander around the room looking for something to connect with.
There you have just three reasons to not read a speech to your audience. Rather keep your speeches simple so that you can work from short notes and tell stories from your heart.
Your audience does not want to be impressed by your writing. They want to see you present your true thoughts and opinions, in your words.
Labels: Presentation Tips
posted by Wayne Botha @ 7:23 PM
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