Before you speak.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH FIRST
Who the audience is What they already know What you want them to take away How long you have
THAT THIRD ONE
If you cannot state it in a sentence, the talk has no purpose yet.
WHAT TO PLAN
The single main message Three or four supporting points An opening that establishes why it matters A close that restates the message
WHY SO FEW POINTS
Audiences retain very little. Attempting more reduces what survives.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT DETAIL
Put it in a handout or a document, and say so.
WHY
Detail spoken aloud is lost; detail written is available.
WHAT TO PREPARE
Notes of your structure, not a script.
WHY NOT A SCRIPT
Read speech sounds read, and loses the audience.
WHAT TO REHEARSE
Aloud, and timed.
WHY ALOUD
Because it is different from reading it silently, and reveals what does not work spoken.
WHAT TO PREPARE FOR
Less time than you were given.
