The Speech Versus the Presentation: Part 3
In Part 1 of The Speech Versus The Presentation, I talked about the differences between those two formats whereas in Part 2, I discussed speechwriting and how the format is identical for both. While there are many similarities in the delivery of both the speech and the presentation, there is one important difference:
- Speeches are read; presentations are spoken; and, neither should be memorized.
Those who are good at reading a speech don't sound like they are reading a speech. They sound like they are talking to their audience which is only possible if the speaker has practiced the material out loud many times. Reading it over in your mind is not practice because you will discover, in some cases, that while the flow of words to the eye may work, those same words to the mouth do not.
If you know your material, you will then be able to acknowledge your audience as you speak, looking up and making eye contact with your listeners throughout your delivery. Knowing your material also allows for more expression in your delivery because it will allow you to talk to your audience and not at them. If your eyes are glued to your script, there is little likelihood of a dynamic delivery.
- Always practice your material out loud, be it for the speech or the presentation. It is the only way to truly know your material.
When it comes to the presentation, learn to 'talk it through.' A presentation should be very conversational: it should not be rote nor sing-song. Remember those major points from Part 2? A good presenter speaks 'around' each of those points and subpoints. In that sense, I have never written out a presentation word for word. My presentations are always in outline form except for my openings and my closings, both of which I will memorize. [I know, I told you earlier that memorization is a no-no. And it is, except for your openings and closings! An occasional mistake in a presentation is not a problem; however, you don't want to make a mistake in your opening statement nor in your closing. Your sense of well-being - your confidence - will be greater if you can get through them both flawlessly.]
Because my presentations are in outline form, I list a few words on 5 x 8 note cards and speak 'around' those subpoints or sub-subpoints. For example, if I'm talking about voice improvement, my one note card will have on it two words: Jack Burghardt. Former Canadian television anchorman and Member of Parliament, the late Jack Burghardt was blessed with a wonderfully resonant speaking voice. When I later met his son, I immediately recognized the young man as a Burghardt because he sounded so much like his father which leads me then to talk about why we sound the way we do. So those two words give me a good 4-5 minutes of material.
From presentation to presentation, no matter how many times I talk about Jack, it never sounds exactly the same and the words are never the same because I'm talking 'around' Jack and not reading about Jack; however, as with the speech, I'm making eye contact with my audience and again I'm talking to them, not at them.
- The value of the speech lies in its exactness of its words; the value of the presentation lies in its inexactness of its words.
Whether you're giving a speech or a presentation, talk to your audience just as if you were having a conversation in your living room. The best in the business do this and much of their success is built on a powerful, dynamic delivery in which they acknowledge their audience, they speak with expression, and they know their material.
Related Tags: speech, presentation skills, public speaking, speechmaking, presentaton, development of speech, delivery of presentation
The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels is a voice specialist and president of Voice Dynamic. Offering corporate and 2-day workshops throughout the US and Canada, Daniels launched Voicing It! in April of 2006, the only video training course on voice improvement. You can watch a clip from her DVDs on her website and ‘before' & ‘after' takes of her clients, as well as gain valuable information about voice improvement and what it can do for you both personally and professionally at: http://www.voicedynamic.com
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- The 5 Things You Must Do Before Opening Your Mouth to Speak
When invited (or ordered!) to give a presentation or a speech, most of us think that what comes out - Public Speaking Training on How to Write a Persuasive Speech
A persuasive speech is actually very simple to create and deliver. If you want to write a persuas - First Impressions Count More in the Era of Credit Crunch
Do you think about how you dress at work and carefully select your outfit depending on your working - Word Stress and Vowels
he biggest difference between English and most other languages is the timing. In many languages str - The Most Commom Vowel in English!
The Schwa. This tiny, reduced vowel is most commonly heard in English. And guess what, there is no - Colour Crunch; Inject Colour Into Your Working Wardrobe
When it's drab outside during these winter months, we often wish we could inject some colour into o - How to Write a Damn Good Speech
The first step to delivering a damn good speech is writing a damn good speech. Taking the time to w - Does Your Speaking Voice Match the Confidence of Your Handshake?
What does your handshake say about you? Confident, diffident, overbearing, wimpy? Does the sound of - Captivate Your Audience Just by the Sound of Your Speaking Voice
Imagine standing at the lectern. You know your material. You are able to control your nervousness. - The Power of the Pause
Recently at a Voice and Presentation Skills workshop I was holding in Toronto, Canada, a man stood
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Learning about Presentations from Robin Williams
In the feature film RV, Robin Williams plays an advertising executive. His boss orders him around an - Stop Pouring Money Down the Power Point Drain
What is it with people today? They cannot have a discussion about any topic without slides, even whe - Simple is Powerful
I look forward to a late afternoon workout, especially after sitting all-day and working on my compu - How to Make a Great First Impression When you Speak to a New Group
You've just received an email from a local business networking group. They want you to give a talk n - How to Write and Deliver a Dynamite Speech - Part Three
Phase Three of the 21-Step Dynamite Speech System is Preparation and Delivery.I was a professional a - Presentation Professional
What most politicians I have heard 'Don't Do' is apply variability to their tonality, pace and and t - Why a Portable Table is More than Just an Add On to Your Trade Show Display
Many trade show display exhibitors spend countless hours researching the purchase of their trade sho - Choosing A Logo Design Company
If you are looking for a logo design company that can create a really good logo for your company or - Three Tips that Develop Your Presentation Skills
Try these tips to deliver better presentations at work, PTA meetings, or social functions. You'll n - Speaking To Connect
In 1989, my first semester of college, I learned a valuable lesson. I was taking a calculus course,