Prop me up
Have you noticed how speakers in a Toastmasters club use props? How often do you see Toastmasters win contests when they use props?
Over the past five years, after critiqueing many speeches, I have observed that props distract from speeches.
Most winning speeches exclude the use of props. In contrast, I have predict that if a prop is included in a Toastmaster speech, then the speaker will lose the speaking contest.
This is because props limit our imagination. As speakers, we have the opportunity to conjure up images in the minds of our audience. We can describe a fire truck, and a cat up a tree with a child crying in despair at the situation. Our audience can feel the circumstances and emotionally support the child while the fire truck hurries to get the cat down from the tree.
Yet, I observe that as soon as a tangible prop comes on stage, the spell is broken. Suddenly we are focused on a speaker and a ladder and logistical complications, including climbing up the ladder and so on.
If you want to speak well, and win speaking contests, then learn how to create images in the mind of your audience. Get inside their minds. Do not resort to using props. Even if you are well intentioned, props are not a substitute for the real skill of creating images in the mind of your audience.
You are doing a disservice to your audience when you resort to using props, and are likely to pay the price by losing a speech contest as well. (Of course, there is no need to share this advice with your fellow contestants.)
Over the past five years, after critiqueing many speeches, I have observed that props distract from speeches.
Most winning speeches exclude the use of props. In contrast, I have predict that if a prop is included in a Toastmaster speech, then the speaker will lose the speaking contest.
This is because props limit our imagination. As speakers, we have the opportunity to conjure up images in the minds of our audience. We can describe a fire truck, and a cat up a tree with a child crying in despair at the situation. Our audience can feel the circumstances and emotionally support the child while the fire truck hurries to get the cat down from the tree.
Yet, I observe that as soon as a tangible prop comes on stage, the spell is broken. Suddenly we are focused on a speaker and a ladder and logistical complications, including climbing up the ladder and so on.
If you want to speak well, and win speaking contests, then learn how to create images in the mind of your audience. Get inside their minds. Do not resort to using props. Even if you are well intentioned, props are not a substitute for the real skill of creating images in the mind of your audience.
You are doing a disservice to your audience when you resort to using props, and are likely to pay the price by losing a speech contest as well. (Of course, there is no need to share this advice with your fellow contestants.)
Labels: Toastmasters
posted by Wayne Botha @ 8:08 AM
2 Comments:
At June 17, 2009 12:15 AM ,
Dan Weedin said...
Hi Wayne,
With all due respect, I disagree. I've won a district international speech competition using a prop and humorous speech contests using a prop. I think the definition of a prop is important. For instance, Ed Tate used a prop in his World Championship speech. He pulled out a notebook from his coat pocket. Small - yes. Also - a prop. It was very effective in its application. I understand your point, but I also think throwing a blanket statement on it is dangerous. I personally like good, creative props and have had much success both in competitions and out of them.
At June 23, 2009 7:26 PM ,
Wayne Botha said...
Hi Dan,
Thank you for contributing. I agree that props are sometimes used in winning speeches. In Humorous and Tall Tales speeches, props can enhance the message because of the slap stick aspect of these speeches. You make a good point, in that I should distinguish between the types of speech contests.
However, I stand by my rule-of-thumb that in my experience, the contest speaker who uses a prop is at a disadvantage to a speaker who does not use a prop.
Perhaps there are further differentiators that we should identify here. For example, perhaps small props which are used, such as Ed's notebook add to the speech whereas a "Superman Cape" detracts from the speech?
Now that we have open discussion on this topic, I will pay more attention to the use of props in the upcoming Fall contest season. I may even see a speech or two at the International Convention in August, at Foxwoods in Connecticut.
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