A dream speech

PUBLIC SPEAKING: “I have a dream...” Do you recognize these words and know the name of the person who said them? Of course you do, because civil-rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. used a simple but clever trick. His 1963 speech included a clear and relevant statement and was illustrated with examples and anecdotes.

“People don’t remember much of what they hear, so  focus and keep it simple,” says Nick Morgan, president of Public Words, Inc. Morgan says an effective speech focuses on only one theme and has a clear beginning, middle and end. Most people are nervous when giving speeches, especially if they are new at public speaking.

Anecdotes can help the speaker to calm down, as they are easy to remember and can be told naturally. “The content has to be inspiring and visual. It should convey emotion and have a particular point of view,” Jane Praeger, a professor at Columbia University, told Forbes magazine. Everything in your speech should be relevant for your audience.

“Audiences start off by asking 'why',” Morgan says. “‘Why am I here?’ ‘Why should I care?’ If you answer those questions early, then they’ll ask 'how'. Your job is to answer the 'why' question first and then address the 'how'.”

"Focus and keep it simple." Nick Morgan

Don’t waste time thanking everyone involved for inviting you. Instead, get right into the topic of the talk, Morgan advises. This means that you can interact with your listeners from the very beginning.

Think about your body language: stand straight, don’t cross your arms in front of you and don’t hold your hands nervously in front of your stomach. Instead, try to relax and enjoy what you’re doing. “Successful public speaking is all about passion and emotion. If you’re excited, then your audience will be, too,” Morgan says.

Jane Praeger agrees. “Authenticity is key,” she says. “You can’t be someone you’re not. On the other hand, you can be your best self.” That means practising your speech beforehand so that you feel comfortable delivering it. The most important thing is to have fun while talking. “The real Zen secret is to love what you’re doing in that moment,” Nick Morgan advises. “ If you can relax and be happy about being there, the audience will feel that way, too.”