THERE’S nothing like a rousing speech to rally the down-hearted, set a fire raging in everyone’s belly and even bring a tear to the eye.
This week The King’s Speech waltzed home with no less than seven Baftas and is now tipped for success at the Oscars at the end of the month.
Then footballer Scott Parker gave what was described as a Churchillian address to his West Ham team mates at half-time on Saturday.
They were three-nil down and if any fans prayed for a miracle it looks like they were answered because in the second half they turned their fortunes around to end with a 3-3 draw.
Now the midfielder who was known to be shy and retiring has become “a leader to shout about” after his big speech.
But Brian Jenner of Bournemouth who runs the UK Speech Writers’ Guild, says that a memorable oration depends on the circumstances.
“Speeches become legendary in retrospect. If Scott Parker’s team had lost after that it would have been forgotten. The same goes for Winston Churchill – if we had lost the war those speeches wouldn’t have been so significant.
“We promote the emotional element – so many speeches can be very boring. A good speech is about shaping the audience, playing with their emotions, lifting their spirits and encouraging them to perform more than they think they can.”
Many sportsmen rely on inspirational quotes to boost their performance. There is an ultra marathon in the Western States of America where they always read out Shakespeare’s King Henry V’s St Crispin’s Day speech at the start of the race.
If you’re a politician, a speech can make or break a career. Perhaps it’s not surprising then that public speaking topped the list of what Americans fear most – death was third place.
Richard Tyler, of BTFI Ltd in Bournemouth, specialises in personal development and runs courses to help people overcome fear of public speaking, also known as glossophobia.
“It affects so many people in so many ways; some will just about survive it whilst coping with profuse sweating, going blotchy and rapid breathing.
“But there is hope. Learning new responses, thought processes and behaviours can help break down the old fears and install a more enabling approach.”
From Mahatma Gandhi’s keynote speech in the struggle for Indian independence to Martin Luther King’s powerful I Have A Dream oration during the civil rights movement, a speech can change history.
Memorable speeches: • Winston Churchill in June 1940: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds.”
• Nelson Mandela’s statement at the opening of his trial in 1964: “An Ideal For Which I’m Prepared To Die.”
• Earl Spencer’s speech at Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997: “The Most Hunted Person Of The Twentieth century.”
• John F Kennedy’s inaugural speech in 1961: “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You.”
Richard Tyler’s speech-making tips
• Know your purpose and the outcome you want to achieve. Is your message to inspire, provoke, teach others?
• Is it a call to action as it was for Scott Parker at the weekend?
• People don’t always want to hear facts, figures and information. Use stories, metaphors or quotes to help your audience listen and hear.
• If you want to capture a child’s imagination with a story you have to make it lively, enticing, energetic, interesting. The same applies to grown-ups! Be prepared to adapt the volume, pace, tone and pitch of your voice to fit with the message you are giving.
• Be interesting! You have to believe in what you are saying and that it is the most interesting thing ever. If you don’t, others won’t either.
• Less is more. Some people will ramble on and on and on and on without realising that the audience are asleep or have left. Keep your message short.
• Enjoy it! People love listening to others that have something to say. They want you to do well. Find a way to make speaking fun and enjoyable for yourself.
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