How to start and end a solemn speech. How to write a draft
Do you want to know in what sections of your speech you are most likely to show experience or inexperience, skill or lack of skill?
At the beginning and at the end. There is an old saying in the theatre, referring, of course, to actors, which goes something like this: "You can judge their skill by the way they get on and off the stage."
Beginning and the end! They are the most difficult in almost any kind of activity. Is it not the greatest difficulty in the public arena to enter beautifully, and no less beautifully to leave the arena? The most difficult task during a business conversation is to win over at its beginning and succeed at its end.
The end of the speech is indeed the strategically most important section of the speech. What the speaker says at the end, his last words continue to sound in the ears of the listeners after he has already finished his speech, and, apparently, they will be remembered for the longest time. However, beginners rarely realize the importance of this advantageous factor. The finals of their performances often leave much to be desired.
What are their most common mistakes? Let's look at some of them and try to find ways to fix them.
First, there are speakers who end their speech like this: "That's about all I wanted to say on this subject.
So I guess I'll end here." This is not the end. This is a mistake.
It is immediately clear that the speaker is an amateur. Such a mistake is almost unforgivable.
If that's all you wanted to say, then why not end your speech there and sit down without talking about what you are going to end. Sit down and conclude that this is all you were going to say can be calmly and tactfully left to the discretion of your listeners.
There are also speakers who have already said everything they wanted, but do not know how to end the speech. It seems that Josh Billings also recommended that you take the bull by the tail, and not by the horns, as in this case it will be easier to let him go. The speaker, who has taken the bull by the horns, wants to get away from him, but no matter how hard he tries, he cannot find a suitable fence or tree to hide. Therefore, in the end, he begins to rush about as in a vicious circle, repeats himself and leaves a negative impression of himself ...
What's the way out? Sometimes the end of a speech should be planned in advance, right? Would it be wise to try to think through the end of your speech when you are already standing in front of the audience, being in a nervous tension, when your thoughts should be directed to what you are talking about? Common sense dictates the desirability of preparing the end of your speech in advance, in a calm and unhurried atmosphere.
Even such eminent speakers as Webster, Bright, Gladstone, who spoke brilliantly in English, considered it necessary for themselves to write in advance and almost memorize the last words of their speeches.
If a beginner follows their example, he will rarely have to regret it. He must know very precisely with what thoughts he is going to end his speech. He must rehearse the end of the speech several times, not necessarily using the same words during each repetition, but translating his thoughts into specific phrases.
When a speaker gives an impromptu speech, the speech sometimes has to be very significantly changed, shortened, so that it matches the reaction of his listeners. Therefore, it would be really wise to prepare two or three endings in advance. If one of them doesn't fit, the other might.
Some speakers can't get to the end of their speech at all. Somewhere in the middle, they begin to speak rapidly and incoherently and seem to falter, like an engine that is almost out of fuel, and after a few desperate jerks, they completely stop. Accident. Of course, they need more thorough preparation and need to have more practice - more gas in the tank.
Many beginners end their speech too abruptly. They lack fluidity and the ability to complete their speech. They don't actually have an ending: they just suddenly stop talking. This gives an unpleasant impression, and listeners see that they are dealing with an amateur.
What would you say if your friend, during a conversation, suddenly broke off his speech and ran out of the room without saying goodbye to you politely?
Even a speaker like Lincoln made this mistake in his original presidential speech.
This speech was delivered at a difficult time. Black thunderclouds of disagreement and hatred were already gathering around. A few weeks later, torrents of blood and a hurricane of destruction hit the country. In his closing remarks intended for the people of the South, Lincoln intended to end his speech as follows:
"In your hands, my disgruntled compatriots, and not in mine, lies the solution to the most important problem of the Civil War. The government will not attack you. We will not have any conflict if you do not become the aggressors. You did not take any oath to heaven to destroy the government while I have sworn the most solemn oath to preserve and protect him. You may refrain from attacking him. I cannot shrink from defending him. It is up to you, not me, to decide the crucial question: peace or sword !"
Lincoln showed this speech to his secretary Seward, who quite rightly noted that the closing words were too harsh, direct, provocative. Seward himself attempted to change the end of the speech; in fact, he wrote two versions. Lincoln agreed with one of them and used it, with minor modifications, instead of the last three sentences at the end of the speech he had originally prepared. As a result, his first presidential speech lost its provocative harshness and reached the height of friendliness, true beauty and poetic eloquence:
"I reluctantly end my speech. We are not enemies, but friends.
We shouldn't be enemies. Although some passions may flare up, they must not break the bonds of our friendship. The mysterious strings of memory that run from every battlefield and from every grave of a patriot to every living heart and hearth in all our vast earth will add their voice to the choir of the Union if they are touched again, and this will certainly happen thanks to the divine principle of our nature. .
How can a beginner develop the right sense of the need to end his speech? With mechanical rules?
No. Just like culture, this matter is too subtle. It should become a sixth sense, almost an intuition. If the speaker does not feel when his speech is completed harmoniously and skillfully, then how can he expect to achieve this?
However, such a feeling can be developed in oneself, and this can be done by studying the methods used by eminent speakers. Here, for example, is the end of a speech by the Prince of Wales at the Imperial Club in Toronto:
“I fear, gentlemen, that I was unrestrained and talked too much about myself. But I wanted to tell you, as the largest audience to which I had the honor to speak in Canada, what I think of my position and the responsibility that comes with it connected. I can only assure you that I will always strive to be worthy of this great responsibility and your trust."
Even if a blind man had heard this performance, he too would have felt that it had ended. It did not hang in the air like an unattached rope, it did not remain unfinished. It was finished.
The famous Harry Emerson Fosdick spoke at St. Peter's in Geneva on Sunday after the opening of the Sixth Assembly of the League of Nations. He chose the topic for himself: "All who take the sword, by the sword will perish." Notice how beautifully, solemnly, and powerfully he concluded his sermon:
"We cannot reconcile Jesus Christ and war - that is the essence of the matter. It is this problem that should worry the conscience of Christians today.
War is the most terrible and destructive social sin that afflicts mankind; it is wholly and entirely non-Christian; in its methods and consequences it embodies all that Christ denied, and it cannot mean what he meant; it is the most emphatic repudiation of any Christian doctrine of God and man than any atheist theorist on earth could ever come up with. It would be good if the Christian Church took upon itself the solution of this greatest moral problem of our time, and it would be good if she again, as in the time of our forefathers, worked out a clear way to fight against the paganism of this modern world and refused to support the warring countries, placed the kingdom of God over nationalism and called the world to peace. This would not be a denial of patriotism, but, on the contrary, its apotheosis.
Here today, under this lofty and hospitable roof, I, an American, cannot speak for my government, but as an American and a Christian, I speak for millions of my fellow citizens and wish you well-deserved success in your great work in which we believe. , for which we pray, for non-participation in which we deeply regret. We fight in many ways to achieve the same goal - a world made for the world. There has never been a higher goal worth fighting for. The alternative is the worst catastrophe humanity has ever faced. Like the law of universal gravitation in the physical realm, the law of God in the spiritual realm does not make an exception for any person, for any nation: "all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
However, these ending patterns would be incomplete without those majestic tones and that organ-like melody that characterize the ending of Lincoln's re-election speech. The late Earl Curzon of Keddleston, Chancellor Emeritus of Oxford University, declared that this speech "adds to the glory and treasures of mankind... is the purest gold of oratory, nay, almost divine eloquence":
“Lovingly we hope and fervently we lift up our prayers that this terrible scourge of war will end as soon as possible. However, if God wills that it should continue until all the riches accumulated as a result of two hundred and fifty years of selfless labor, were destroyed, and as long as every drop of blood that came out from the blow of the whip is paid for by the blood that came out from the blow of the sword, as it was said three thousand years ago, how much more should we say that "the judgment of God is right and fair".
Turning our malice to no one, turning our mercy to all, showing firmness in a just cause, when the Lord gives us the opportunity to see his rightness, let us strive to solve the task before us: to bandage the wounds of the country, to take care of those who who endured the hardships of the battle and fell in it, widows and orphans - to do everything that could contribute to the achievement of a just and lasting peace, both among us and among all peoples.
You have just read what I think is the most brilliant end to a speech ever delivered by a mortal...
Do you agree with my assessment? In what other speeches could you find more humanity, more sincere love, more sympathy?
"Although the Gettysburg Address was noble," says William E.
Barton in his book "The Life of Abraham Lincoln" - this speech reaches an even more perfect level of nobility ... It is the most outstanding speech of Abraham Lincoln and reflects the highest level of his intellectual and spiritual power.
"She was like a sacred poem," wrote Carl Schurz. "No American president has ever said such words to the American people. America has never had a president who found such words in the depths of his heart."
However, you are probably not going to make immortal speeches like the president in Washington or the prime minister in Ottawa or Canberra. You will be faced with the problem of how to end a typical speech in front of a group of people involved in social activities. How will you do it? Let's think a little.
Let's try to develop some useful suggestions.
Summarize the main points of your speech
Even in a short speech of three or five minutes, the speaker is quite able to touch on so many issues that at the end of the speech, the audience will not quite clearly understand all the main points of his speech. However, few speakers understand this. They incorrectly believe that if these points are absolutely clear in their own imagination, then they should be just as clear to the listeners.
Nothing like this. The speaker has been thinking about his ideas for some time, but they are all new to his listeners; they hit the listeners like a shotgun shell. Some of them may affect them, but most fly by. Listeners can, like Iago<Кассио - Прим.ред.>, "remember a lot of things, but nothing exactly."
One Irish politician is said to have given the following advice about speaking: "First tell the public what you are going to tell them; then tell them, and then tell them what you have already told them." Not such a bad idea. In fact, it is very often recommended to "tell about what you have already told".
This should be done, of course, briefly, quickly, that is, it is necessary to give only an overview of what has been said or a summary.
Here is a good example. The speaker was one of the leaders in the Chicago railroad system:
"In short, gentlemen, our own concrete experience in the use of this blocking device, the experience of its use in the east, west and north, the sound principles underlying its operation, the savings that have been saved within one year due to the prevention of crashes - all this gives me the opportunity to recommend in the most serious and strong terms its immediate introduction in our southern branch."
Did you notice what he did? You can see and feel it without even listening to the rest of his speech. He summarized in a few sentences, using fifty-five words, practically all the main points that he used in his speech.
Don't you think that resumes like this help? If yes, then take this method into service.
Call to action
The ending just quoted is a brilliant illustration of the end of a call to action. The speaker wanted something to be done: to install blocking devices in the southern branch of his railway. He justified his call with the means to be saved, as well as the fact that it would prevent crashes. The speaker demanded action, and he got it. This was not a training session. It sounded at the board of directors of a certain railway company and ensured the installation of a blocking device, that is, what it called for.
Brief sincere compliment
“The great state of Pennsylvania must lead the movement to hasten the advent of the new age. This state, the great iron and steel manufacturer, the state that houses the largest railroad company in the world and is the third largest among our agricultural states, forms the basis our commerce.
Never before has this state had such great prospects, never before has its leadership role been more brilliant."
With these words, Charles Schwab ended his speech at the Pennsylvania Society in New York. His listeners felt satisfied, happy, optimistic. This is a commendable way to end a talk, but it must be sincere to be effective. No crude flattery, no extravagance. This kind of ending, if it does not sound sincere, will seem false, extremely false. People will not be willing to accept it as a counterfeit coin.
humorous ending
George Cowan said: "When you say goodbye to your listeners, leave them laughing." If you have the ability to do it, and the necessary material: that's very good. But how to do that? As Hamlet said, here is the question. Each person must go his own way.
It is hard to imagine that Lloyd George would have left laughing the members of the Methodist church meeting, to whom he addressed a super-solemn occasion connected with the tomb of John Wesley.
However, notice how cleverly he did it, notice also how smoothly and beautifully he closed his speech:
"I'm glad you took it upon yourself to repair his tomb. That's to be welcomed. He was a man who had a particular aversion to untidiness and lack of cleanliness. I think he was the one who said:
"May no one ever see a ragged Methodist." Thanks to him, you've never seen anything like it. (Laughter) It would be double ingratitude to leave his grave in an untidy state. You remember what he said to a Derbyshire girl who ran to the door as he was going out and screamed, "God bless you, Mr. Wesley." He replied, "Woman, the blessing will be more valuable if your face and apron are cleaner." (Laughter) That was his attitude towards untidiness. Don't leave his grave untidy.
If he saw her as such, it would upset him more than anything else. Take care of her. It is a memorial and sacred tomb. She is your responsibility." (Applause.)
Poetry ending
Of all the ways to end a speech, none is more appropriate than humor or poetry, if appropriate. In fact, if you manage to find the right verses to end your speech, it will be almost perfect. This will give the performance the desired flavor, nobility, individuality, beauty.
Sir Harry Loder ended his address to the Edinburgh Convention of American Rotary Club Delegates as follows:
“And when you return home, let some of you send me a postcard. I will send you postcards if you don’t do it yourself. You can easily guess that this postcard was sent by me, since there will be no stamp on it. (Laughter. ) But I will write something on it, and this is what will be there:
The seasons will come and go
Everything fades in its time as you know
But there is something, always blooming and fresh as dew, -
It's love and affection
which I feed to you."
This little poem fits perfectly with Harry Loder's personality and no doubt fits the whole mood of his speech. Therefore, in this particular case, it was fine. If any other formal and reserved member of the Rotary Club were to use this rhyme at the end of their gala address, it might sound so unnatural as to be almost laughable. The longer I teach the art of public speaking, the more clearly I understand and the more vividly I realize that it is impossible to give general rules that will be true in all cases of life. After all, so much depends on the subject of discussion, time and place of action, and the person himself.
Everyone must, as St. Paul said, work out his own salvation.
I was present as a guest at a farewell dinner in connection with the departure from New York of a certain freelancer. Speakers rose one after another, extolled their departed friend and wished him success in his new path of activity. There were about a dozen performances, but only one of them ended in an unforgettable way. It was exactly the performance that ended with poetry. The speaker turned to the one who was leaving and exclaimed with feeling: “Well, now goodbye, I wish you good luck, I wish you everything that I could wish for myself!
May the peace of Allah be with you.
Wherever you go, wherever you go
May the beautiful palm trees of Allah grow there,
Days of work and nights of rest may bring you the blessings of Allah.
I touch my heart like the inhabitants of the East:
May the peace of Allah be with you."
J. A. Abbott, vice president of L. A. D. Motors Corporation of Brooklyn, spoke to the employees of his organization about loyalty and cooperation. He ended his speech with resounding lines from Kipling's The Second Jungle Book:
"Here is the Law of the Jungle for you - and It is unshakable, like the firmament.
The wolf lives as long as he watches; The wolf, breaking the Law, will die.
Like a creeper, gossip, the Law winds, growing in both directions:
The strength of the Pack is that the Wolf lives, the strength of the Wolf is the native Pack."
Kipling
If you go to the library in your city and tell the librarian that you are preparing a speech on such and such a topic and would like to find a poetic quote to express this or that idea, then you may be able to help you find something similar in some reference book. like "Familiar quotes" Bartlett.
The Power of a Bible Quote
If you can quote Scripture in your speech, then you are lucky. A suitable biblical quotation often has a profound effect. Renowned financier Frank Vanderlip used this method to end his speech on the debts the Allies owed to the United States:
"If we insist on the literal fulfillment of our demand, then it will certainly not be fulfilled. If we insist on it out of selfish considerations, then we will receive not money, but hatred. If we are generous - wisely generous - then debts may be paid to us, and the good we do by it will mean more materially to us than anything else that we could part with.
"For he who wants to save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for me and the Holy Scripture will save it."
climax
A climax is a popular way to end a performance. It is often difficult to pull off and is not always the right ending for all speakers and all topics. But if it is well executed, it makes a brilliant impression. She reaches the top, becoming more powerful with every sentence. A good example of a climax can be found in the end of the Philadelphia speech, which won an award and appears in Chapter Three.
Lincoln used the climax when preparing his notes for a lecture on Niagara Falls. Notice how each following comparison is stronger than the last, and how it culminates in comparing the age of Niagara with the times of Columbus, Christ, Moses, Adam, etc.:
“It brings to mind an infinite past. When Columbus first sought our continent, when Christ suffered on the cross, when Moses led Israel through the Red Sea, nay, even when Adam was first created by the hands of God—then, as now, there roared Niagara Falls The eyes of the extinct prehistoric giants whose bones fill the grave mounds of America gazed upon Niagara as we do now. and ten thousand years ago Mammoths and mastodons, so long extinct that only the remains of their huge bones confirm that they once existed, also looked at Niagara, which during all this long time did not stop for a second, and its flow never dried up, never froze, never froze, never rested."
A good conversation or public speaking is like a good game, movie, or song. It grabs the listener's attention, delivers the material point by point, and then ends brilliantly. But if you don't know how to end your speech, the main points you are trying to get across will be lost.
The words you say at the beginning, and especially at the end of your speech, will be remembered longer than any other part of your speech. Some famous public figures ended their speech in such a way that even today many people remember it.
How to end a speech and get a standing ovation?
1) Think carefully about closing words
To make sure that your conclusion will make a strong impression on the audience, you need to plan every word.
Ask yourself, "What is the purpose of this speech?" In your response, you need to indicate the actions that you want your listeners to perform after listening to your speech. When you have a clear understanding of what end result you want to achieve, it becomes much easier to plan a conclusion that leads your listeners to the idea that they need to act as you suggest.
The best strategy for planning a compelling and powerful speech ending is to plan the ending first and then build the whole speech later. Then go back to the beginning and make an introduction that sets the stage for this conclusion. In the main part of the speech, you simply reveal your ideas and encourage the audience to think and act according to your desires.
2) Always end your speech with a call to action
It is very important to tell your listeners what you want them to do after they listen to you. A call to action is the best way to end a speech impressively. For example:
We have serious challenges and great opportunities, and with your help we will overcome all difficulties, and this year will be the best year in our history!
Whatever you say, imagine an exclamation point at the end, and as you get closer to the end, pick up the appropriate pace and rhythm of speech. Highlight the most important thing in the ending with intonation. Set the final point.
Whether those in the audience are about to share your point of view, or whether they are willing to do what you ask, you must communicate your thoughts clearly and consistently.
3) Summarize
There is a simple formula for the outcome of any speech:
- List what you are going to talk about.
- Tell about it.
- Summarize what has been said.
As you near the end of your presentation, say something like: "Let me summarize the main points..." Then list your key points, one by one, and repeat them to the audience, showing the relationship between them.
Listeners will respond positively to a consistent repetition of what they have just heard. They understand that you are summing up.
4) End your speech with a spicy story
When you finish your presentation, you can say:
Let me tell you a story that illustrates what I'm talking about...
Tell a short instructive story, and tell the audience what its instructive meaning is. They should not try to understand the meaning of your story themselves.
You can end your speech with a story that illustrates all the key points and is related to the key message you are trying to convey to the audience.
5) Make everyone laugh
Tell a joke that is related to your topic and emphasizes the main idea or main points, and also can make everyone laugh.
Public Speaking Ending Functions
The conclusion has two main functions -
recall the main idea and explain what “should be done” with it.
The speaker needs to keep both functions of the conclusion in mind.
Ending options
It is better not to say: "And now I will conclude" or "Now I turn to the final part of my lecture", the ending should be obvious to the listener, without special introductory words. You can offer the following options for endings.
Quote, proverb, proverb, folk wisdom.
This ending is especially well remembered in an audience of average and below average level of preparedness. For example: “Folk wisdom says correctly - endure, fall in love”; “The Russian proverb speaks correctly – patience and work will grind everything. So it's all up to us."
General conclusion
The summary of the speech is necessary verbalize as a conclusion so that it is perceived by the audience precisely as a conclusion, as the main idea of the speech: "So, ...". The main conclusion is formulated in full verbal form. At the same time, it should be short and expressed in simple words; after the output, you do not need to add anything and comment on anything.
Address to listeners
You can end the speech by wishing the audience to have a good weekend or summer vacation, have a good evening, etc., congratulate them on the upcoming holidays, etc. In this case, the listeners remember the speaker to a greater extent than the ideas expressed by him.
Summing up repetition
The main idea is repeated in an extended verbal form in the form of a thesis or enumeration: firstly, secondly, and thirdly. As listeners, we are for the most part lazy, have short memories, and are always grateful for a brief repetition, in whatever form.
Illustration
The main idea is explained by an example, analogy, parable, allegory. After it, nothing needs to be added.
climax
The main idea is expressed at the end of the speech on a high emotional note, for example: “And history will write the name of this person in bright letters above the names of all those who tried to interfere with him!” Experts note that the climax as an effective ending is not suitable for all types of public speaking, but it usually makes a strong impression on the listeners.
Audience Compliment
D. Carnegie gives such an example of a similar ending: "The great state of Pennsylvania should lead the movement to hasten the arrival of a new time!".
humorous ending
It can be a joke, an anecdote, a funny story. “If you can, leave the audience laughing,” D. Carnegie advised.
Thanks for your attention
This is the traditional ending. A slight extension can make it somewhat less traditional - if the speaker not only utters the on-duty phrase “Thank you for your attention”, but also says a few words that positively characterize today's audience, its level, interesting questions that were asked, etc., that is, say audience compliment.
For example: “In conclusion, I would like to thank you for your attention, for listening to me so carefully and asking interesting questions. It was a pleasure for me to speak in your audience.” Or: “Thank you for your attention. It was a pleasure for me to speak in your attentive and friendly audience.” Or: “Thank you for your attention. And I want to thank you separately for the very interesting questions that you asked me.”
How not to end a speech
You should not apologize: “I understand, I didn’t manage to cover everything”, “I see, I tired you a little ...”, etc.
There is no need to remember anything additionally after you have formulated the conclusion - the whole impression of it will be blurred.
You can not cut off speech without a conclusion and leave.
In no case should you leave the audience in a mood of hopelessness and hopelessness in connection with the gloomy pictures you have drawn - you must definitely give the listeners some perspective, outline a way out and express confidence that the worst will not happen. It is necessary to end the speech only on an optimistic note.
Answers to questions from the audience
How to answer questions? This is a problem for many speakers. Beginners, inexperienced speakers are afraid of questions, and sometimes they even consider such a speech to be successful, which did not raise questions from the audience. This is mistake. Questions should not be feared, and in order to increase the impact of your presentation, questions from the audience should even be stimulated, and
sometimes provoke. What are the basic principles of the speaker's response to questions?
All questions must be answered.
Note that it is not necessary to answer all questions immediately. You can postpone the answer by saying: “I understand you, I will answer you a little later. This is not entirely relevant to our topic, but I will try to answer you at the end of our conversation...”. You can also say this: "This is a private matter, please come to me during a break (or after my speech), we will discuss this with you." It is better to answer even a not very serious question seriously, finding some rational grain in it.
Respond equally respectfully to everyone.
This means that the speaker must show attention, respect for anyone who asks a question, recognize any question, the question of any listener, as legitimate, legitimate, worthy of attention. By the way, when answering a question, you should never say to the questioner: “You misunderstood me”, you need to say: “It seems that I expressed myself unsuccessfully” or “Apparently, I could not explain my thought well”, etc.
Answer briefly.
Do not turn the answer into a lecture! We have already noted above: a minute and a half is the limit for answering any question.
Tasks
1. Which statements are correct?
1. Ending is only necessary for big performances.
2. An ending is essential in any public speaking.
3. The output must be expanded.
4. Conclusion with enumeration (so, firstly, secondly ...) is inefficient, poorly perceived by the audience.
5. The ending-climax is always well remembered by the audience.
6. A humorous ending is effective in any audience.
7. Gratitude for attention is effective if the speaker specifies what he is grateful for to the audience.
8. By apologizing to the audience for not being able to cover everything, the speaker improves the audience's impression of himself.
9. If the audience has no questions, then everything is clear to them and the performance was successful.
10. The speaker has the right to leave some questions on the topic of his speech unanswered.
11. Asking a question, you can say "You misunderstood me."
12. Asking a question, you can say "Apparently, I did not express myself clearly enough."
13. Private questions can be answered by inviting those who asked them to come up to the speaker after the speech has ended.
14. Offensive questions should not be answered.
15. Offensive questions must be answered seriously, like all others.
2. Read the endings of the speech. Which of them are correct, which are incorrect?
All. Goodbye.
And in conclusion, I will tell you an anecdote that I recently heard ...
That's all I wanted to tell you. Goodbye.
I finished.
That's all. Unfortunately, I did not tell much, because I had little time.
Goodbye. I wish you would listen to me more carefully next time. Your audience is inattentive.
Thank you for your attention. It was a pleasure to have you perform.
So, let's conclude: if everyone takes their duties responsibly, we will have prosperity and order in our country.
All I'm done. Sorry if I spoke too long.
So, we will work - and everything will work out for us.
I wish you all a good holiday ahead. All the best!
If you have any questions, I'm ready to answer them.
I end here. I see that you are all tired.
3. Recall the fables you know. Formulate a general conclusion from each fable.
For example: "Dragonfly and Ant" - So, who works, he is guaranteed to provide himself with a normal life.
4. End your presentation with an address to the audience. What can you wish them? give advice?
Facts to use:
· what was discussed today will be useful to listeners in their work;
The information from today's speech will help listeners improve relationships with friends, bosses, and families;
Holidays are coming soon
· the professional holiday of listeners is approaching;
· the performance that took place can cheer you up in today's difficult time;
Holidays are approaching
Summer is coming
end of the academic year;
Exams are approaching
The New Year is approaching.
5. End your presentation with thanks for your attention. Be sure to verbally expand the expression of gratitude for the attention.
Facts that can be used to expand the ending:
The audience listened carefully
· the audience has accepted you kindly;
the audience asked interesting questions;
the audience willingly participated in the discussion;
the audience showed a sense of humor;
Few listeners came, but everyone was very interested;
the audience did not always agree with you, but always objected with reason;
It was a pleasure to discuss with the audience;
The audience is very well prepared in this area.
6. Gradation (rhetorical device, which consists in strengthening the power of expression from word to word: I wanted see her, I longed for see her i rushed to her soul every minute and every second) is a sign of a journalistic, especially excited speech. It is effective in a positive-minded, benevolent, emotionally sympathetic audience.
7. You complete your op-ed. Build the final phrase using the gradation technique. Use the words and expressions given in brackets. If necessary, change the construction of the phrase.
1. It's not just….. it's…., it's…… it's finally simple -…!
(Negligence, mistake, lack of work, crime, hindsight, inattention to the performance of one's official duties, blatant indifference to the fate of people, negligence)
It is necessary to completely exclude the possibility of a repetition of such situations in the future!
2. I'm not just….. texts of modern pop music, I'm them….., I'm them….. I'm them….. I'm just…!
(I am indifferent, I don’t like, I can’t stand, I don’t tolerate, I hate, I can’t see and hear, I feel disgust, I despise, I don’t feel interest).
We must return to music with meaningful lyrics!
3. Such behavior of a Duma deputy is not just…, it…., it……, it……., it….!
(indecent, ugly, dishonest, outrageous, unacceptable in his position, criminal)
We must take immediate measures to recall this deputy from the Duma!
8. You are speaking as a representative of the youth at the congress of the Russian intelligentsia. Come up with and say excitedly and expressively the final phrase of your speech.
· If our young intelligentsia does not help Russia, no one will help them.
· The Russian intellectual at all times was distinguished by humanism and nobility. Now is the time for our intelligentsia to once again show their best qualities for the good of Russia.
Build the final phrase of your speech according to the model “Don’t ...., it’s better ...”, “Enough ...., it’s time ...” (“don’t teach me how to live, better help financially”, “stop whining, it’s time to work”).
Stop complaining...
No need to explain why it's hard to do...
Stop being nice...
Stop judging others...
Enough general talk...
Topic 9. Argumentation
Thesis and arguments
speaker in public speaking argues a certain point of view, that is, it carries out an argument.
Under argumentation is understood as the process of bringing evidence, explanations, examples to substantiate any thought in front of the audience or the interlocutor.
Thesis- this is the main idea (of a text or speech), expressed in words, this is the main statement of the speaker, which he tries to substantiate, prove ..
Arguments- this is evidence given in support of the thesis: facts, examples, statements, explanations, in a word, everything that can confirm the thesis.
From the thesis to the arguments, you can ask the question “Why?”, And the arguments answer: “Because.”
For example:
"It's good to watch TV" - thesis our performance. Why?
Arguments- because:
1. On TV we learn the news.
2. The weather forecast is on TV.
3. We watch educational programs on TV.
4. Interesting films are shown on TV, etc.
The arguments that the speaker gives are of two types: arguments "for" (for his thesis) and arguments "against" (against someone else's thesis).
Arguments "for" should be:
accessible, simple and understandable;
as close as possible to the opinions established in the audience,
Reflect objective reality, comply with common sense.
Arguments against should:
· to convince the audience that the arguments given in support of the thesis you are criticizing are weak and do not stand up to scrutiny.
Important rule of reasoning: arguments must be given in the system. This means that you need to think about which arguments to start with and which ones to end with.
Persuasiveness of arguments
Arguments must be convincing, that is, strong, with which everyone agrees. The strength, persuasiveness of an argument is a relative concept, since much depends on the situation, the emotional and mental state of the listeners and other factors - their gender, age, profession, etc. However, there are a number of typical arguments that are considered strong in most cases.
These arguments usually include:
scientific axioms,
provisions of laws and official documents,
laws of nature, conclusions confirmed experimentally,
eyewitness testimony,
· statistical data.
In ancient times, such arguments included evidence obtained under torture.
It should also be borne in mind that weak arguments with descending argumentation look better than with other methods of argumentation: as E. A. Yunina and G. M. Sagach note, “if “weak” arguments are used as a complement to “strong” ones (and not as relatively independent), then the degree of their "weakness" decreases, and vice versa.
Sometimes people think that the most important thing in argumentation is to find as many proofs and arguments as possible. But that's not exactly how. A Latin proverb says: "Evidence should not be counted, but weighed." There is a proverb: who proves a lot, he proves nothing. The most important thing is to think through each evidence: how convincing it is for a given audience, how serious it is.
The optimal number of arguments is three.
Starting from the fourth argument, the audience often perceives the argumentation no longer as a certain system (first, second, and finally third), but as "many" arguments; at the same time, the impression often arises that the speaker is trying to put pressure on the audience, “persuade”. Again, remember the saying: who proves a lot, he proves nothing. So, "many" arguments in an oral presentation usually begin with the fourth argument.
Argumentation rules
1. Determine the topic of your speech and formulate it.
For example: “I want to talk about .....”, “Today I am interested in the question of ....”, “There is such a problem -...”, etc.
2. Formulate the main thesis of your speech. Express it in words.
For example: "It seems to me that ...., and here's why."
3. Pick up arguments to support your thesis.
4. Organize the arguments - arrange them in a certain order: first, second, third, etc.
5. If necessary, refute the opposite thesis by giving arguments against it.
6. Draw a conclusion.
Methods of argumentation
There are several ways to argue.
1. Descending and ascending argumentation.
These methods of argumentation differ in whether the argument strengthens or weakens by the end of the speech.
descending argumentation lies in the fact that at first the speaker gives the strongest arguments, then less strong ones, and ends with an emotional request, motivation or conclusion. According to this principle, for example, a statement will be built asking for help in solving the housing problem: “Please pay attention to my plight with housing. I live ... I have ... I ask you to provide me with housing.
Rising argumentation suggests that the argumentation and intensity of feelings intensify towards the end of the speech. For example, the following speech is based on this principle: “There are a lot of old people in our city ... They usually live on small pensions ... Pensions are always delayed ... Life is constantly becoming more expensive ... The state with the provision help pensioners can not cope ... Who will help the elderly? ... A lot of the elderly need urgent help now ... We must immediately create a special service to help them.
2. One-sided and two-sided reasoning.
One-sided the speaker's argumentation of his position assumes that either only the arguments "for" are stated, or only the arguments "against" are stated. At bilateral argumentation to the listener, setting out opposing points of view, make it possible to compare, choose one of several points of view. A variation of the method of bilateral argumentation is the so-called method of counter-argumentation, when the speaker presents his arguments as a refutation of the opponent's arguments, having previously stated them. For example: "They say that we do not know how to work, are not able to manage ... Well, let's look at the facts .." - and then this thesis is refuted.
3. Refuting and supporting arguments.
At refuting argumentation, the speaker destroys the real or possible counter-arguments of a real or "invented" opponent. At the same time, positive arguments are either not given at all, or they are given very little attention in the process of speaking. At supportive argumentation, the speaker puts forward only positive arguments, and ignores counterarguments.
4. Deductive - from conclusion to arguments and inductive - from arguments to conclusion.
Argumentation from output to arguments - First, the thesis is given, and then it is explained by arguments.
For example: We need to teach Russian better. First, the literacy of schoolchildren is declining. Secondly, we pay little attention to improving adult literacy. Thirdly, our journalists and TV presenters do not speak Russian well. Fourth....etc.
Argumentation from argument to conclusion Arguments first, then output.
For example:
Consider the state of the Russian language. Our schoolchildren's literacy is declining; little attention is paid to adult literacy; our journalists and TV presenters do not speak Russian well, and so on. Thus, we need to teach the Russian language better.
Different types of argumentation are effective in different audiences.
Rules for Effective Argumentation
Be emotional
The emotionality of the speaker must necessarily be obvious to the audience, but it should not dominate the very content of his speech. In this regard, the following rule should be followed:
Refer to facts and examples that evoke emotions,
not to the emotions themselves.
Do not abuse logical pressure
Of course, logic must be present in the argument, but logic must be “hidden” behind the emotional form of presentation, concrete examples, humor, etc.
Address facts vital to listeners
Speaking to any audience, try to find and explain to the audience the reason why it should be important for them what you are going to tell them about: “the neighbor’s son will get drug addicted, and you will pay for the treatment,” etc.
Try to show the real benefit for the listeners from your assumptions or information - what they can do, get - down to the details: “this will help you gain health”, “I will teach you to remain calm in critical situations”, “you will learn today how you can live for the minimum wage, etc. Before the speech, you need to think carefully about what practical benefits the listeners should get from your speech, and inform them about it.
A speaker who has the skills to “decorate” the beginning and end of a speech will be remembered by the public and will establish himself as a confident, experienced and knowledgeable person. The audience remembers, first of all, the final part of the speech. Therefore, in oratory much attention is paid to the composition, wording, intonation of the end of speech. It must be completed in such a way that the listeners retain in their memory the meaning, the main “message” and remember the speaker as an interesting, successful, even brilliant speaker. To do this, the final must have both logic and emotionality.
Think carefully about the ending, pay special attention to it. Choose what is closer to the topic and to you personally: a clear, emphatically unemotional summary of the results or a fiery appeal to the audience. You need to end your speech with a short, capacious phrase in which every word is thought out. Therefore, when writing a speech, ask yourself the following questions:- what is the meaning and purpose of the text;
- what should be the end result of the speech - what actions the audience will take after the speech;
- what is the image that you want to be remembered by the audience;
- what tools will you use to support the theses of the speech in the end.
- logical statement - summing up, summarizing the theses of the text, focusing on the problem;
- addressing the audience - for example, with gratitude, a compliment;
- an artistic or emotional message - a joke, a catchphrase, an illustration, and so on.
Reviews and debriefing
Specific conclusions and generalizations are appropriate in the final of almost any speech. You can’t cut off the speech in mid-sentence, and the “loopback” phrase is well suited as an ending, reminding the listeners what the speaker was talking about and what the speaker wanted to convey. This technique was used even by biblical narrators. Therefore, when finishing your speech, place the accents of the topic in one of the ways, not forgetting the call to action:- list the points of the text (“firstly, secondly”): the technique “works” on an inexperienced audience, helps it remember key thoughts - but remember about positive ascending argumentation from the weakest to the strongest thesis;
- emphasize the main idea of the speech (“so ...”) - this is especially appropriate for a persuasive speech, poorly prepared audience, new to the topic;
- emphasize the relationship between the theses of the speech - the built-in "chain" will help to more clearly assimilate the speaker's thought and appeal;
- summarize ideas and derive a specific proposal from them - this is a strong call to action, and it must be well-argued;
- sharpen the problem or show ways out of it - give advice, remind about your idea, and so on.
Ending the speech with an address to the audience
The logical part of the final speech can be strengthened by directly addressing the audience. This is not a semantic appeal, but rather an emotional "aftertaste" from speech. Having finished speaking on the topic, you can thank the audience for their attention. The ending is neutral, does not carry a special semantic load, but is effective and appropriate for:- protocol speeches - the rules of courtesy are reinforced by diplomatic etiquette, requiring underlined ceremonial thanks;
- round tables, neutral discussions (you thank colleagues, not competitors);
- professional conferences and so on.
Emotionality and artistic techniques
Artistically colored, emotional speech can even be narrow-profile, saturated with important information. The use of such techniques helps the presentation, it does not turn into a dry presentation of facts, it does not “lull” the audience. Emotional ways of ending speeches can be combined with others - you will get an ending that is rich in meaning, confident, colorful and bright. Use:- climax - the final thought is pronounced on an elevated emotional note (the technique is not suitable for all performances, but leaves a strong impression);
- illustrations - analogies, comparisons, quotes and even couplets will explain the idea, help to remember it, make it emotional and capacious;
- “rounding” the speech with a story, a short story that also illustrates the narrative, but also contains an element of comparison, an instructive meaning - the method is suitable for informational, entertaining, neutral speeches;
- a witty joke - it must be connected with the topic of the speech, otherwise it will become inappropriate and spoil the finale, correspond to the type and "mood" of the audience, be really funny (sensibly evaluate the joke or check it on third-party listeners in advance).
What to avoid in the conclusion of a speech
There are details that will spoil the performance, no matter what it says. At the end of the speech, avoid:- stating the fact of the final (“here I am finishing”, “that's all I wanted to say”) - speaking of the obvious, you cause reasonable irritation in the audience;
- expressions of uncertainty that "lubricate" the impression - avoid a forced smile, do not shrug helplessly;
- platitudes, well-known facts and phrases;
- new thoughts and sections - you will reduce the impact of speech theses;
- apologies - avoid mentioning the lack of time for preparation, your inexperience and incompetence, otherwise the audience will decide that they were wasting time on you;
- long, drawn-out conclusions - the finale becomes uncertain, the feeling of a logical-emotional “point” is lost.
"Well said! Well Said! Presentations and conversations that get results.
At the beginning of your speech, you have only 60 seconds to capture the attention of the audience, gain confidence in people, orient them in the topic and set them up for further listening. If you waste a precious introductory minute on jokes, agendas, apologies, useless details, thank yous, or incoherent stammers, your audience's attention will be irretrievably lost. You must be creative with the introduction, the most important part of the work. This is a difficult task for any speaker, and you will have to rehearse well and work out the challenging opening.
Darlene Price
1. Tell an exciting story
Storytelling is one of the most powerful and successful techniques. From birth, people like to listen and learn from. Fairy-tale heroes, villains from campfire tales or theatrical characters captivate us with their dialogues, conflicts and destinies. With their help, we gain worldly experience and draw parallels with our own life, which easily holds the attention of any person.
At best, it should be a personal first-hand story, telling the audience why you were puzzled by the topic of the report. Although a story about another person whom the public can recognize will do. Alternatively, reveal a fable, fairy tale, wisdom, or historical event. The idea is that your 60-90 second introduction will captivate the audience and contain the key idea of the entire subsequent report.
What problems have you (or someone else) encountered on the topic of the talk? How did you (or someone else) overcome them? Who or what helped or hindered you? What conclusions were made? What should your audience get and feel after reading the story?
2. Ask a rhetorical question
And what Russian does not like to drive fast?
And who are the judges?
Dreams, dreams, where is your sweetness?
Rhetorical questions help to convince. If they are thoughtful and presented in the right form, the audience will follow the path that the speaker intended. With their help, it is easy to persuade listeners to their point of view.
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com At the same time, the question does not always have to give an unambiguous answer “yes” or “no”. You can arouse people's curiosity and make them think about the answer by asking something more "heavy".
3. Voice a shocking statistic or headline
A bold statement or catchy headline is the perfect way to convince your audience to take your advice and follow through. The main thing is that they accurately reflect the purpose of your speech.
For example, the VP of Sales for a leading US healthcare company successfully sells hospital software in a very flashy manner. He begins with dry but painfully poignant numbers: “Medical errors leading to the death of a patient have become the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. We are talking about 400 thousand cases per year. This is much more than previously thought. We are creating a world without medical errors, and we need your help.”
4. Use a strong quote
Give the wise words of a famous person whose name will add attractiveness and social weight to your speech. But it is important to understand that the quote must be relevant: make sense and relevance specifically for your audience.
Imagine that you are the conflict manager and you are trying to convince the group to reach an agreement. When opening a negotiation, you could quote Mark Twain, who once said, “If two people agree on everything, there is no need for one of them.” The next sentence should add a touch of unity: "Even though not all of us see the way out of the problem in the same way, the efforts of each of us are essential in reaching an agreement."
5. Show an effective photo
A picture is worth a thousand words. And maybe more.
Use pictures instead of text whenever possible. A good photo adds aesthetic appeal, enhances comprehension, fills the audience's imagination, and makes the presentation more memorable.
Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock.com For example, the president of an electrical equipment company skillfully inspired his managers to cut costs. Instead of showing them the usual diagrams, graphs and tables, he opened the meeting with a rather strange question: "Why did the Titanic sink?" In unison, there was a mention of a collision with an iceberg. Then the head of the company displayed an image of an iceberg on a common screen: its tip was visible above the water, but a much larger part was hidden under the surface. “The same is true for our company. Hidden costs are the same underwater danger that will pull us to the bottom.” This visual metaphor inspired executives, and their proposals ended up saving millions of dollars.
6. Get creative
Themed props are a sure way to keep your listeners' attention. Visual support will emphasize your idea.
So, being an avid tennis fan, the head of a large insurance company began his speech with a spectacular hit with a racket. Thus, he expressed his determination, "won a point against competitors", rallied the team and ultimately "won the Grand Slam".
Think about how you could use a wall clock, a colorful bag, a bunch of carrots, ball juggling, or card manipulation to captivate your audience, add humor, and get your message across.
7. Start a short video
Imagine you start your production presentation with a video in which satisfied customers give a positive review of your product. Or you open a fundraising event for endangered species with a mini-film about the Amur leopard and its offspring.
The video evokes an emotional reaction. Unlike words and slides, a short film adds drama and conveys the essence of what is happening faster.
As Walt Disney said:
I'd rather entertain people and hope they learn something than educate people and hope they have fun.
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