Getting down to it: the language of your speech, the preparation of notes and rehearsal

1. The Language of your Speech

How do we make sure that we use the “right” language? As already mentioned in Unit 3, it is better while preparing your speech to avoid writing down exactly what you plan to say. Instead, you should concentrate on the ideas that you want to present. While this is the recommended approach, speaking in a foreign language may require more work from the speaker. You will need to check your vocabulary choices, the pronunciation of difficult words, and, last but not least, the grammar of the phrases that you wish to use.

How to work on the language of your presentation

• First of all, check the basics.  Look at the vocabulary you are going to use: is it simple and easy to understand for everybody?
• Use the right words for a given topic, precise expressions that are not too abstract and not too complicated. It is better to avoid technical jargon unless you are talking to an audience of specialists in the field. Be specific!
• Use appropriate expressions, i.e. ones that fit a given occasion and that will be understood by a particular audience. Refer to the section “Understanding your audience” in Unit 3. It only takes one inappropriate sentence with a shocking expression to ruin your whole presentation.
• Think about grammar: are you going to use simple forms and clear expressions? Avoid the passive voice as it sounds very impersonal in a speech.
• Consider the pronunciation of difficult words - perhaps you need to check it? There are websites with pronunciation dictionaries that can help you do just that.
• Think about the style of your speech. Your language carries meaning, both direct and indirect. Some people feel strongly about specific words, or attach values to them. What you need to do as a speaker is to recognize the impact your language may have on your audience. It is best to use simpler language and refrain from using expressions that are too grandiose and may sound unnatural.
• You want to sound natural, but also enthusiastic. To do that, your language should be expressive, making your speech memorable. Use comparisons and contrasts, for example. Remember that the audience will probably be able to tell quite early on in your speech if you are enthusiastic about your topic or not. Apart from your language, they will notice your facial expressions, body language and tone of voice. We will discuss these in more detail in Unit 9.
• Most speakers want to show that they have a sense of humor. However, using humor in your speech is a tricky proposition. When you do not know your audience well and you attempt to make a joke, you may end up with a group of very embarrassed people. Therefore, it is best to avoid humor altogether, especially when speaking in a foreign language.
• Sometimes you may want to be more emphatic, underlining important issues in your presentation, for example, when presenting solutions to a particular problem. In such situations it is best to repeat certain thoughts, using different expressions.
• When in doubt, remember the KISS acronym = Keep It Short and Simple! Eliminate anything that is not necessary, expressions like, “you know…,”, “well…,” ”erm…,” etc.

When working on the language of your presentation you need to remember that, as you will not be writing down the exact expressions (or perhaps only a few), you will always have the chance during the presentation to adapt the language and style to the audience. What you need to remember is that it is better to sound conversational rather than like you are preaching (Anderson, p.153). Do not talk down to your audience!

2. Making notes

While most people have a preferred way of preparing notes for a speech, there are a few general ideas, which should be taken into account. First of all, choose the right paper size: do not go for a big sheet of paper, which will hide you from the audience. It is best to use paper which is cut to smaller size, maybe half of the European A4 page.

Second, use several smaller pieces of paper. Each one of them should be devoted to one part of your speech, or one argument. When you speak, it is much easier to find a specific point in your notes if you keep a small pile in your hands, and set them aside while you speak.

Third, do no go for any peculiar colors, unless they help you pay special attention to something.

3. Rehearsal

Anybody that has to perform in front of an audience needs to rehearse, especially actors and musicians. Even if you are not one of these, you will still benefit from rehearsing your speech thoroughly. As a speaker, you want to sound spontaneous and natural. To achieve that, you need to practice your speech beforehand, as many times as possible. If you practice it many times, in the end you will almost know it by heart and you will sound more natural.

If possible, ask your friends or family members to listen to you and give you their honest feedback. If you cannot find anybody listen to your presentation, you can always record your speech or perform it in front of a mirror. Your friend, or you yourself, should then answer the following questions:

• Did the speech fit the time limit?
• Was the main idea easily understood?
• Did the introduction/opening capture the audience’s attention?
• Was an identifiable pattern discernible?
• Were transitional expressions used correctly?
• Did the conclusion provide a summary and a sense of closure?