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| Speaking Techniques |  1. You should begin with a high-impact statement:
- challenging the group to use an essential notion;
- providing the group with some anecdotal information that sets the picture for what is to come;
- taking a sample that will show the worth of the group's investment in time listening to you.
2. You should not read your speech. Picture the whole speech in your head in advance so that you can imagine the flow of ideas. Then record the most important ideas on prompt cards, every containing a heading and three or four key ideas. Or just sum up the whole speech on one piece of paper, noting key ideas by underlining or writing them in bold.
3. Change your voice modulation frequently. Speak louder than you usually would, to show your confidence.
4. Emphasize key points by pausing earlier than you share them, speaking more slowly and intentionally, raising your voice and punching the air with suitable hand gestures.
5. Keep away from remaining static. Move around from time to time, mainly when you are engaging in dialogue or answering questions. Move closer to the audience to show your interest.
6. You should make the audience think about what you are saying. Ask members questions even hypothetical ones. Pause to let them contemplate the answers.
7. Poll the audience to demonstrate your interest in them and to show members' support for the most important points you are proposing.
8. Go constantly to cover different parts of the room. If you sense some hostility, however, center more on those people who are nodding their agreement with you.
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