What’s Up With a Good Speech

A lot of people with whom I worship are involved in a training program for young people called Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes. As I type these words, we are in “full swing” in an effort to prepare for this year’s annual convention.  

My role in this is to help some young men prepare and present speeches. Most of what I’m doing could be identified as coaching. I am not there to write their speeches, but to suggest, encourage, critique, etc.

Very early one morning I woke up with an idea about something “concrete” I could give them that might help. With a couple of exceptions, what follows is the material I gave them when we met later that day. (I’ve done some slight editing and have added a couple of suggestions.)

I guess that I need to add some caveats before you read what I gave the young men. First of all, these are only suggestions. They are not written in stone anywhere. Any of them or all of them can be disregarded.

Most importantly (at least as far as I’m concerned), the following suggestions are by no means presented as some sort of list of things that made me a polished, professional, and/or perfect public speaker. They are merely some suggestions from an older guy who is still trying to learn, but who has fewer opportunities to speak in public to some special young men who hopefully have many, many years ahead of them.

Some who are reading this might be thinking that these suggestions do not apply to them because they are not “public speakers.” They could be surprised someday when they find themselves standing in front of people who are expecting them to say something. 

With all of that said, here is what I pray is helpful for “my guys” and for anybody else who might be called upon to make a public presentation.  

WHAT’S UP WITH A GOOD SPEECH

• • Sign up 
    • Volunteer to speak when you can. Experience is a great teacher. 
  • Read up 
    • Do the research needed. In fact, try to actually get more information than you think you will actually need for one speech. It will pay dividends in so many ways.
  • Listen up 
    • Along with “formal research,” keep your ears open for new and interesting facts, examples, personal stories, etc.

• • Warm up

• • • This can include anything from making a video recording of an entire presentation and reviewing it to just “going over it in your head.” Find what works for you, but try not to give an impromptu speech unless it is absolutely necessary.
    • It is also important to make sure that your voice is “warmed up” enough to be effective.  
  • Clean up 
    • Your appearance is important
    • Try to not let your appearance detract from your speech.  
    • How you dress and present yourself needs to fit the occasion. It actually is possible to both be too casual and too formal.
  • Show up 
    • Make sure of the time and place for your speech.
    • Don’t just be there, but also try to be there early.  
    • Be friendly, greet people, introduce yourself, engage in small talk, etc.

• • Walk up

• • • As you approach the lectern, pulpit, etc. try to do that with a sense of confidence and enthusiasm. Don’t hurry, but don’t act like you are going to the gallows either.  
  • Stand up 
    • Posture is important. Don’t slouch, but also don’t be stiff like you are “standing at attention.” 
  • Heads up 
    • Try to find something that will grab and keep the attention of those who will be listening to you. Do your best to keep their heads up.
  • Speak up 
    • Make sure that people can hear you.
  • Look up 
    • Establish eye contact with those who are listening.

• • Tidy up

• • • Try to make sure that your speech is well organized. Don’t just “ramble.”

• • Back up

• • • Don’t just express opinions. Back up what you are saying with appropriate material (Bible, statistics, history, experiences of yourself or others, etc.).

• • Fess up

• • • None of us is perfect. Don’t try to act like you are the exception to that statement.  
    • Admit and correct mistakes (and do your best to try to make fewer of them).

• • Sum up

• • • Try to “tie a bow” on what you have presented.
    • It may even be appropriate to remind those who are listening of the main points.
  • Shut up 
    • Don’t keep talking merely to keep talking.
    • Follow the K.I.S.S. principle when you can. (Keep It Short, Stupid)
    • If possible, try to have people wanting more, not less.

• • Follow up

• • • If the presentation contains some sort of “call to action,” try to see if that action is being taken and/or has been completed. In the setting with which I am most familiar (preaching), I believe that it is vitally important to continue to “mentor” or “disciple” individuals who have responded in some way to a message that has been presented.
    • If your presentation is one during which you asked for information, suggestions, opinions, evaluations, etc., do not disregard the “feedback” you get.  
    • If you have been invited to speak somewhere, it is a good practice to take the time to write a note or send a letter to those who invited you and express your appreciation for the invitation.

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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn