SPEAKERS' INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECT: Follow my story ….
We all have unique life stories but no time to tell them. Months/ years have passed by and somehow we “Kick the can down the road” for another time…. Follow my Story is your opportunity ...
Time: 2-3 minutes / PowerPoint or Video Introduction
12-15 minutes speech - 5 minutes Q&A
In short: Pick subject you love, Prepare moderately and Relax to enjoy your story.
In long: The best way to begin your speaking experience is to talk about a familiar subject—yourself. Of course, this subject is too broad for a short fourteen- to fifteen minute presentation. You must narrow it by selecting three or four interesting aspects of your life that will give your audience insight and understanding of you as an individual. These might include your birthplace, education, or family. You could explain how you came to be in your present occupation and tell the audience something about your ambitions. Or you could explain the effect an incident from your youth has had on your life. Once you have the highlights of your talk in mind, weave them into a story, just as if you were telling it to a group of friends. Share significant personal experiences. The more personal your talk, the warmer the relationship will be between you and the audience.
OPENING, BODY, AND CONCLUSION
Like any good story, your talk needs a clear beginning and ending. Create an interesting opening sentence that captures the audience’s attention. Memorize it, if necessary, and use it even if a better idea occurs to you just before you speak. Then devise a good closing and memorize it, too. A memorized beginning and ending enable you to start and finish your talk with confidence and ease. In any speech, it’s best to select a few main points (three or four at the most) and emphasize them by using examples, stories, or anecdotes. If you merely state a fact and then continue, most of your audience will miss the point. You should make a point, say it again in different words, illustrate the point, and then state it once more in order to be clearly understood. This is a good skill to learn. Choose your points and illustrations carefully. Too much information may overwhelm the audience. If you think you will need notes, write a brief speech outline on note cards, which you can place on the table. Refer to them only when you need them. Remember, you’re speaking, not reading. Many speakers begin by writing out an entire speech, then breaking it into parts, with a key word for each part, and finally writing just the key words on one note card.
TIP: Don’t be afraid of the audience. Think of them as friends who want you to succeed and are eager to Follow you story…..
We all have unique life stories but no time to tell them. Months/ years have passed by and somehow we “Kick the can down the road” for another time…. Follow my Story is your opportunity ...
Time: 2-3 minutes / PowerPoint or Video Introduction
12-15 minutes speech - 5 minutes Q&A
In short: Pick subject you love, Prepare moderately and Relax to enjoy your story.
In long: The best way to begin your speaking experience is to talk about a familiar subject—yourself. Of course, this subject is too broad for a short fourteen- to fifteen minute presentation. You must narrow it by selecting three or four interesting aspects of your life that will give your audience insight and understanding of you as an individual. These might include your birthplace, education, or family. You could explain how you came to be in your present occupation and tell the audience something about your ambitions. Or you could explain the effect an incident from your youth has had on your life. Once you have the highlights of your talk in mind, weave them into a story, just as if you were telling it to a group of friends. Share significant personal experiences. The more personal your talk, the warmer the relationship will be between you and the audience.
OPENING, BODY, AND CONCLUSION
Like any good story, your talk needs a clear beginning and ending. Create an interesting opening sentence that captures the audience’s attention. Memorize it, if necessary, and use it even if a better idea occurs to you just before you speak. Then devise a good closing and memorize it, too. A memorized beginning and ending enable you to start and finish your talk with confidence and ease. In any speech, it’s best to select a few main points (three or four at the most) and emphasize them by using examples, stories, or anecdotes. If you merely state a fact and then continue, most of your audience will miss the point. You should make a point, say it again in different words, illustrate the point, and then state it once more in order to be clearly understood. This is a good skill to learn. Choose your points and illustrations carefully. Too much information may overwhelm the audience. If you think you will need notes, write a brief speech outline on note cards, which you can place on the table. Refer to them only when you need them. Remember, you’re speaking, not reading. Many speakers begin by writing out an entire speech, then breaking it into parts, with a key word for each part, and finally writing just the key words on one note card.
TIP: Don’t be afraid of the audience. Think of them as friends who want you to succeed and are eager to Follow you story…..
