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Public Speaking (The pow’r the giftie’s gie’d us) |
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“Oh wad some pow’r the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us? (Robert Burns, 1786) |
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Oh, what would Robbie Burns have made Of video, so quick replayed? Technology provides the ways For fast dissecting every phrase. The awful truth can strip the lies Of their deceits, and amplifies The affectations now laid bare, Of which one’s simply unaware. Words rush forth apace, cascaded As the torrent falls, unaided By a pause for emphasising Just at what the speaker’s driving. Ideas drift about like bubbles Floating on a sea of troubles, Going no-where, little caring If they reach the listener’s hearing. Hands in pockets, nervous twitching, Scratch your head, though it’s not itching: Shuffle notes, create distraction - Prove that you’re a “man of action”. Show a lack of preparation By a falt’ring hesitation, Punctuating ever faster Strings of nervousness - disaster! |
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If your speech you would make better, Follow these rules to the letter: Put a structure to your topic, Order bring to the chaotic. Starting with the fundamental Theme, expand the part that’s central. Add an introduction, showing Down which verbal path you’re going, Building interest up, and leading To the main point of your pleading. Finally, in style, descending, Summarise, and write your ending. Don’t attempt to use invective Just to make your speech effective, Time-served features of construction Foster audience seduction: Lists-of-three, to be precise, as |
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Oratorial devices, Add effect; and at your leisure Throw in contrasts for good measure: Script it well and then rehearse it Time on time, until you curse it Soundly, as its awkward squareness Mellows roundly to preparedness. |
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Practise strength and speed of diction Till it carries with conviction. If you speak your words sincerely, |
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Get your message over clearly, Every phrase or intonation Of your carefully planned oration Feeds the listener’s comprehension, Holds the audience’ attention. Stand up straight, with one foot forward, Then relax, and don’t look floorward: Cast your eyes around you, pressing Glances at those you’re addressing. Using hands for making gesture Stops them fussing with your vesture, Reinforces your thematic With the art of the dramatic - Sparingly should you pursue it So as not to overdo it - Or use them to support your script On cards, which easily are flipped, And hold your lines in headinged note, In case their learning’s not by rote. Those cards are readily concealed Until required, and all’s revealed: Writ clear for you to understand, Your speech is literally to hand, If of your hands, you have no need, To this advice you should pay heed: Be sure to steer a safer tack By keeping them behind your back. It matters not what theme you choose - Inform, persuade, or just amuse - How best do you convey the facts? At six score words per minute (Max)! Confidence and preparation Are the key to good oration - If you have them, you can do it; Whet your wit, then, and go to it! |
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Copyright: A.J.Finn |
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Note: (Max) is a coded reference to Dr Max Atkinson, who gave the course in Public Speaking at Henley Management College which inspired this poem. |