A good speech is mainly off the cuff with 100% eye contact with the audience. Most of my speeches are not written down but based on a handful of important life skills and insights. The key is not the verbal message but the energy and conviction with which it all is delivered, taking people to a high and ensuring that all leave entertained and keen to take on new things.
A good speech is mainly off the cuff with 100% eye contact with the audience.
My preference is to avoid pictures and overheads as they distract from the dialogue I wish to achieve with all present. A/V reduces the downside risk of your presentation but it also reduces the upside potential. In academic circles a speech is often called a paper.
My view is that a paper and speech are two different things and it is possible and common to have a good paper and a bad speech. For speaking, we much focus on the speech, grabbing the attention of all in the audience and not allowing a boring second for anyone for the duration. I am available to speak at conferences, seminars, graduation ceremonies and others on subjects as wide ranging as humanising business, finance and banking, democracy and social justice.
