How to write and deliver a speech or a presentation: For beginners
Step 1: Analyze the setting for the speech or the presentation.
Think about the speech situation and ask yourself some basic questions.
What is expected of you? Should you only inform them, or should you also need to persuade them? Do you want to read word-for-word from a manuscript or speak from memory?
Step 2: Think about what you want to achieve and start brainstorming.
Regarding the end result, what do you want the audience to know and feel afterward?
What you are going to inform the audience about. Then, start brainstorming and capture your best ideas. Build on your experience, interests, and skills, and the things that motivate you and what makes you angry or happy. Is there a problem somewhere, and how do you propose solving it?
Write down some words and phrases.
Step 3: Start drafting your main idea.
Write a sentence about what you want to achieve, for example:
"I will inform my audience about being a safe driver."
"I will convince my audience that anyone can become a better public speaker."
Just draw a line for yourself to capture and articulate the big picture.
You are not yet writing your actual speech.
Step 4: Start writing and structuring your actual speech.
Write a sentence with your topic and your vital points in the third-person perspective, for example:
"To be a safe driver, you pay attention to the vehicle and other cars and plan your next moves" is an informative speech.
For a persuasive speech, it can be, for example, "You can become a better public speaker if you plan, practice, and use handouts."
This sentence is the basis for your continued writing process.
Do not write too detailed. Aim at making it as clear and structured as possible.
Anticipate the questions that you will get from your audience.
Address the most relevant ones in your speech text.
Be ready for the rest during or after your speech.
Your speech or presentation does not have to be perfect during this writing because it is still a work in progress.
Test-deliver the speech at least a couple of times, with or without some friends or colleagues as a test audience. Re-write the parts that are too complex, long, or unclear.
Step 5: Write your manuscript and create your notecards and/or PowerPoint slides.
If you want to use slides, create a logical flow between the slides.
Do not put too much information on each slide.
Further, if you want to, you can create a paper handout to distribute to your audience on the day of the speech.
It can be a copy of your slides or a one-page summary.
Step 6: How to deliver your speech or presentation.
On the day, get there at least one hour before to load your presentation, test the technology, and fix any technical issues.
During the presentation, talk to the audience with a relaxed voice, make eye contact, and stand up straight.
Do not speed up, and avoid turning your back on the audience when looking at your slides.
As I said earlier, I do not read word-for-word from a manuscript unless I really want to get everything exactly right.
Instead, I use an outline with keywords and make my speech sound as natural as possible.
Do not tense up your shoulders, and do not forget to take deep breaths now and then without your audience noticing it.
If you get a question, always start with "thanks" or "good question."
If you do not know the answer, it is acceptable to reply, "I do not have a good answer to that question here and now, but I can get back to you later."
Keep the time and end with confidence. Perhaps you can end with a call to action, encouraging them to do something specific. Or end with a question for the audience to ponder on their way home.
My pamphlet is available from Amazon (https://amzn.to/31HwIvB)
Copyright
Text, video, and audio © Kent Löfgren, Sweden
