Delegation Resource Manual: Preparing for the Model Legislature
Page 90
YMCA PA Youth & Government Program
TIPS for the DELIVERY of an EFFECTIVE SPEECH
Don’t let your great message share the fate of so many would-be novelists whose best work doesn’t
get published because they don’t know how to tell agents about it.
Indeed, Sherry Minton, director of direct response for the American Heart Association in Dallas,
asserted that the “real impact of your message is not in what you say, but how you say it.”
Minton presented a few of her ideas to bridge this gap during a recent conference in Washington,
D.C.
Key visual and verbal skills must be mastered to deliver powerful presentations. A few
examples are your stance, gestures, facial expressions, and voice.
People’s response usually depends 55 percent on body language and expressions, 38 percent
to vocal inflection and 7 percent to what is said. The most common sense advice is
reminiscent of a high school public speaking class, but is nonetheless important to master.
Increase your presentation’s power by standing straight, weight evenly balanced, hands and
arms at your side, shoulders squared to the crowd, and up slightly on the balls of your feet.
Avoid swaying hips, shuffling feet, leaning tower, moving target.
Gestures help emphasize main points, allow the crowd to follow along, and involve them.
Gestures should have a flair of spontaneity, involve the whole body, be broad and sweeping,
and vary.
Avoid gestures such as the stern parent, the soldier at parade rest, and overusing the same
gestures or meaningless ones.
As for facial expressions, maintain an overall pleasant countenance, make sure what your
mouth says matches your expression, and practice in front of a mirror. Think of yourself as
an actor.
Your voice inflection is also important. People listen four times faster than most people
speak. Use it to project enthusiasm and excitement, improve recall, and imply that you are
bright and more interesting.
There are several ways to deal with stage fright. Try visualizing the presentation, practice,
breathing, focusing on relaxation, release tension, and keep eye contact with the audience.
