By Pam Terry
There’s good and then there’s great. What makes the difference when it comes to public speaking? First, consider what makes a bad speech: no preparation, winging it, rambling, no real point or too many points, disconnected from the audience, lack of confidence, being overconfident, being boring, no volume, monotone, reading slides, lack of passion or drive about the topic, slouching and no knowledge of what the audience wants.
So, if all of these things are what make a bad speech, you would think that you need to have the opposite for at least a good speech. True. A good speech is one that has been prepared, practiced, the point(s) are clear, the audience is engaged, the speaker is confident and excited/passionate about the topic, you can hear them/they have volume, are understood, their tone is anything but monotone, and the speaker knows what the audience wants.
Now that we have clarified the characteristics of bad and good – how do you make it great? Nick Morgan, a contributor to Forbes.com and someone who is passionate about communications, especially public speaking, told of an experience where he had to write a speech for the then Governor of Virginia, Chuck Robb. The speech had to show that the Governor was in control of a situation when four death-row inmates had escaped from prison. It took Nick 12 drafts of the speech before his supervisor was even close to happy with it. From this experience, Nick came up with “5 Secrets of Success” for great speeches:
- Great speeches are primarily emotional, not logical
Small shifts in tone make an enormous difference to the audience, so sweat the details
A great speech has a clear voice speaking throughout
A great speech conveys one idea only, though it can have lots of supporting points
A great speech answers a great need
I felt that Nick’s five secrets were reasonable, but I needed proof. I went searching for great speeches to see if they had these five characteristics and if they had any other common threads.
I found five great speeches (my personal favorites) and yes, they all carry these five “secrets”:
- Steve Jobs’ commencement speech to the 2005 Stanford University graduating class. From his eye opening introduction where he states, “I never graduated from college” to his statement of what he’s going to talk about “Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories. The first story is about connecting the dots….,” Jobs has captivated his audience. His point is clear “Stay hungry, stay foolish,” and each story illustrates this point. He is not overly passionate or excited. He is after all, Steve Jobs, and he has come to deliver an important message by authentically and powerfully sharing about his life. He is inspiring these graduates to “stay foolish” and tells them why. It seems like an unlikely message for a graduating class, but causes them to think and is very persuasive. To watch Steve Jobs’ speech, go here http://m.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/98/65331.html.
- Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech delivered in 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., was a long speech. Yet, it was incredibly powerful. As you listen, you get goose bumps and get swept up in the emotion. It’s full of poignant visuals, inspiring and uplifting you as you listen. King speaks loudly, emotionally, emphatically, passionately. His speech is delivered in total contrast to Jobs, yet both captivate. To listen to Martin Luther King’s speech and get the full transcript, go here http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm.
- John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Speech in 1961where he ended with “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” His pace is deliberate, emphatic, and passionate, as well; Kennedy style. I love his next statement, “My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” To listen to JFK’s speech and get the full transcript, go here http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkinaugural.htm .
- Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address of 1863, although only about three minutes long, has remained as powerful now as it was then. Lincoln did more than just dedicate a cemetery to the fallen soldiers; he captured the entire mood of the nation and inspired them to take a stand for liberty and equality. To read Lincoln’s speech and hear Johnny Cash deliver it, go here http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gettysburgaddress.htm .
- Susan B. Anthony delivered a speech after she was arrested, tried and fined $100 for voting in the presidential election in 1872. As you read this short and powerful speech, you can hear the emotion and passion. Susan reportedly never paid the fine and she toured the country speaking on women’s right to vote, although it wasn’t until 1920 that women officially won that right in the U.S. Visit http://www.nationalcenter.org/AnthonySuffrage.html to read Susan’s short and compelling speech.
In each of these cases and for all great speeches, a need is addressed. The stronger the need, the more compelling the speech can be. One key (that each of the above speeches does) is to paint the picture of the need first, identify the problem, the pain, the wrong that must be righted and why. Although, as in Steve Jobs’ speech, you can say up front what the speech is about and illustrate your main point with stories which can be very powerful.
Great speeches are usually carefully and painstakingly prepared, written, practiced, and delivered with emotion. The speaker feels what it is that they want to convey. If you want to inspire, you must be inspired. Whatever you want to cause with your audience, you must be it first. You will never inspire anyone if you are not inspired.
Each of these great speeches are timeless, they all have one point that they are conveying, they answer a great need, they are each written speeches, and delivered with great meaning and passion.
For anyone to deliver a great speech, find opportunities where you can inspire others. Enjoy what you are doing. The way to connect with your audience and deliver a great speech is to enjoy the experience, enjoy being on the stage, enjoy being at the center, enjoy delivering your message. Thus, it’s critical and all important that you believe in your message. Your passion will be transferred to the audience. Caring deeply about your message is authentic, compelling and the cornerstone of confidence, which is essential in delivering a great speech.
Good Luck!
Pam Terry is a speaker coach and communications trainer in Houston, TX. She can be contacted at 832-276-4153 or [email protected] Visit her blog and website at www.pamterry.com
