Opening Body and Conclusion

What is common between any of the following? Back to college? Joined a new club or association? Started a new course? New job?

Well at some stage you are going to have to make a presentation, or put forward a point of view in front of others from a lectern, the top table or in a committee.

Doing this correctly will mean that you and the point you are making will be heard or that presentation will stand out above the others.

Over the next few weeks in the Speak Easy Toastmasters notes we’ll be looking at the various ways in which you can prepare yourself to deliver that perfect speech, presentation or viewpoint.

This week it’s the “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 also.

Giving your audience too much information will only overwhelm them. 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 for anecdotes. If you merely state a face and then continue most of your audience will miss the 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.

If you need notes, write a brief speech outline on for example, 3x5 cards which you can place on the lectern or table. Refer to them only when you need them.

Remember, you’re speaking, not reading.

Many speakers begin by writing out the entire speech or presentation, then breaking it down into parts with a key word for each part and finally writing just the key words on note cards.

The above skills are some of the many that are learned and practiced at every toastmaster meeting so why not come along tonight to The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 7.50pm and see for yourself.

You will be very welcome and remember that guests are never asked to speak at a toastmasters meeting.

Tonight we are in the capable hands of Toastmaster Michael Walsh with Tim Ahern as Topics master. Speakers are, Kieran Butler, Michael Cronin, Margaret O’Regan and Pat Sexton.

Remember, tonight, at The Hibernian Hotel Mallow.

Looking forward to meeting you.

For further information about Speak Easy Toastmasters, log on to our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com