Problem
I listen to other people's speeches and plan my own and find the following problems:
1 I am asked to evaluate and introduce a speech which doesn't have a title.
Marketing:
How can you write a poster advertising a speech which doesn't have a title?
Focus:
How can the speaker keep to the point if he or she doesn't know their point?
Introduction:
How can you introduce yourself or anybody else if you can't sum up in one sentence. (The Elevator speech.)
If your speech changes direction half way through, you have two speeches, two different speeches.
If you, as a speaker, are confused, the listener will be confused.
The listener likes to prepare emotionally. If I giggle all the way through and you end by telling some tragedy, unexpectedly, I feel either deceived or shaken. If I go to watch a movie billed comedy which ends as a tragedy and it ruins my birthday or my first romantic date, I could be at the box office demanding my money back on the grounds of trades descriptions act, just as I would if I went to see a musical with no music.
Novels often have twist endings. tragedies are often written with ups and downs and humorous moments, to relieve the burden. However, the publisher's blurb gives you a clue what to expect, or to prepare for the unexpected. Fashions change, eras change, countries are different.
When I listen to a speech in which a speaker tells of their tragic childhood, I wonder which of the following applies:
Catharsis After Tragedy
The speaker wishes to come to terms with the fear and tragedy of the past, to talk it through, face it, in order to move on. In a way we in the audience are must be bystanders, like counsellors, sitting quietly saying nothing, whilst they work out their problems for themselves. The talking cure.
As a visitor, I have sometimes wondered, why do I go for a jolly evening out and have to listen to this story of misery. In at least one the speaker has burst into tears at the end. I wonder are they any happier. Or have they just raked up and relived the horrors of their past.
The chair person or toastmaster of the evening has the burden of saying something suitable, before moving on, allowing the next speaker to follow with a neutral topic or even attempt a comedy.
Toastmaster's Comment
What can the link person say? Something to sympathise with the speaker and make them feel better.
1 Thank you for sharing your story.
2 That was very brave. (I am not keen on the word brave. It slightly suggests they have faced a hostile audience - and taken an unnecessary risk.)
3 We are impressed that you have overcome your past. (And started your Toastmasters Journey, or reached out to help others in the same situation.)
4 You had a bad start in life but now you are amongst friends and can move on.
5 Thank you for showing us that even with the worst start you can still build a family and career and start again.
Humorous Re-telling Of Childhood Or Later Drama
I heard a speech and wondered:
Why did the speaker tell this painful story?
Appeal for Sympathy
Was it to gain sympathy?
Desire For Drama
Because the story was dramatic? Because it aroused emotion in the audience, horror or indignation?
To Evoke Pity or Compassion
Because the story aroused our sympathy for the underdog?
Sharing
Because we would relate to similar stories in our own past?
Humour In Others Tragedy
Because what happens to others is funny?
Because you can laugh at your fears when they are exaggerated or happen to somebody else.
Compulsive Obsessional Re-telling
Because the painful story is unforgettable, so the speaker wants to keep telling it, whether or not the audience wants to hear, whether or not the audience is sympathetic, whether or not it shows the speaker in a good light - just can't help it, can't let go.
Attention Seeking
To get attention. to eclipse and outdo other speakers. to eclipse and outdo the audience's own dramas.
One-upmanship in drama.
Manic-Depressive
Today is their drama day. Half an hour later, having got over their speech, they are laughing. However, you are shattered by their story all week, and whenever you see them.
Finally, Is It True?
Did the story actually happen? Did the drama take place exactly as described? When writing a novel, especially one based on your or someone else's life, you are often told to reduce the time span and the number of characters. For example, instead of two different enemies, the stepfather and the boss, you have the stepfather who is later your boss.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
I listen to other people's speeches and plan my own and find the following problems:
1 I am asked to evaluate and introduce a speech which doesn't have a title.
Marketing:
How can you write a poster advertising a speech which doesn't have a title?
Focus:
How can the speaker keep to the point if he or she doesn't know their point?
Introduction:
How can you introduce yourself or anybody else if you can't sum up in one sentence. (The Elevator speech.)
If your speech changes direction half way through, you have two speeches, two different speeches.
If you, as a speaker, are confused, the listener will be confused.
The listener likes to prepare emotionally. If I giggle all the way through and you end by telling some tragedy, unexpectedly, I feel either deceived or shaken. If I go to watch a movie billed comedy which ends as a tragedy and it ruins my birthday or my first romantic date, I could be at the box office demanding my money back on the grounds of trades descriptions act, just as I would if I went to see a musical with no music.
Novels often have twist endings. tragedies are often written with ups and downs and humorous moments, to relieve the burden. However, the publisher's blurb gives you a clue what to expect, or to prepare for the unexpected. Fashions change, eras change, countries are different.
When I listen to a speech in which a speaker tells of their tragic childhood, I wonder which of the following applies:
Catharsis After Tragedy
The speaker wishes to come to terms with the fear and tragedy of the past, to talk it through, face it, in order to move on. In a way we in the audience are must be bystanders, like counsellors, sitting quietly saying nothing, whilst they work out their problems for themselves. The talking cure.
As a visitor, I have sometimes wondered, why do I go for a jolly evening out and have to listen to this story of misery. In at least one the speaker has burst into tears at the end. I wonder are they any happier. Or have they just raked up and relived the horrors of their past.
The chair person or toastmaster of the evening has the burden of saying something suitable, before moving on, allowing the next speaker to follow with a neutral topic or even attempt a comedy.
Toastmaster's Comment
What can the link person say? Something to sympathise with the speaker and make them feel better.
1 Thank you for sharing your story.
2 That was very brave. (I am not keen on the word brave. It slightly suggests they have faced a hostile audience - and taken an unnecessary risk.)
3 We are impressed that you have overcome your past. (And started your Toastmasters Journey, or reached out to help others in the same situation.)
4 You had a bad start in life but now you are amongst friends and can move on.
5 Thank you for showing us that even with the worst start you can still build a family and career and start again.
Humorous Re-telling Of Childhood Or Later Drama
I heard a speech and wondered:
Why did the speaker tell this painful story?
Appeal for Sympathy
Was it to gain sympathy?
Desire For Drama
Because the story was dramatic? Because it aroused emotion in the audience, horror or indignation?
To Evoke Pity or Compassion
Because the story aroused our sympathy for the underdog?
Sharing
Because we would relate to similar stories in our own past?
Humour In Others Tragedy
Because what happens to others is funny?
Because you can laugh at your fears when they are exaggerated or happen to somebody else.
Compulsive Obsessional Re-telling
Because the painful story is unforgettable, so the speaker wants to keep telling it, whether or not the audience wants to hear, whether or not the audience is sympathetic, whether or not it shows the speaker in a good light - just can't help it, can't let go.
Attention Seeking
To get attention. to eclipse and outdo other speakers. to eclipse and outdo the audience's own dramas.
One-upmanship in drama.
Manic-Depressive
Today is their drama day. Half an hour later, having got over their speech, they are laughing. However, you are shattered by their story all week, and whenever you see them.
Finally, Is It True?
Did the story actually happen? Did the drama take place exactly as described? When writing a novel, especially one based on your or someone else's life, you are often told to reduce the time span and the number of characters. For example, instead of two different enemies, the stepfather and the boss, you have the stepfather who is later your boss.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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