3 things you MUST say during public speaking engagements

Two recent posts on the importance of theme and outlines for presentations – Set a theme before drafting your presentation and 4 reasons a presentation outline is a must – could use an assist from one of the great speechwriters and linguists of our time.

Both of those posts emphasized how difficult it is for audiences to really get the point.

And I’m a big believer in using authoritative sources to lend credence to my perspectives. Who better in this case than the great William Safire, ex-speech writer for President Richard Nixon and heralded New York Times’ columnist. In addition to his political columns, Safire wrote the highly-regarded On Language column for The Times.

Safire was an aficionado of speeches and among the many books he authored is one titled Lend Me Your Ears; Great Speeches in History. The book explains why some speeches have stood the test of time while others fizzled. From his analysis comes a series of commandments, perhaps the most important of which is this piece of advice for those who do public speaking.

Tell ’em what you’re going to tell ’em.

Then tell ’em.

Then tell ’em what you told ’em.

Take William Safire’s advice, and mine. Tell the audience, and tell them again and again. Leave no possibility that your audience walks away without understanding what they’ve been told.

How else will your speech or PowerPoint presentation be memorable?

 

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