Writing a Speech for the International Speech Contest What makes a winning speech? Introduction This presentation was originally given at the District 11 TLI in January, 2008. At that time I had entered the International Speech Contest four times, never having progressed before the district level. In 2008, though, I progressed all the way to the International final. So, I have since modified this presentation to include lessons learned from that experience. If you are entering this year, good luck! It can be a wild ride… International • The big one! • Six levels – Club, Area, Division, District, Region, International • Think: – What do you remember from the best contest speeches? – What do you remember from the best speeches you’ve heard outside TM? “What Do The Judges Want?” • This is the wrong question – Practically speaking, judges are a very heterogeneous group – Moreover, when you get up on any stage, you should be speaking for the audience’s benefit, not for the judges • The better questions to ask yourself are: – What do I want the audience to get out of this? – What do I want to get out of this? – What does the ballot ask for? Questions to Ask Yourself • What do I want the audience to get out of this speech? – As I prepared for the WCPS final, Darren LaCroix (WCPS Champion, 2001) repeatedly told me, “This is not about you – it’s about the audience.” – Do I want to move them to action? – Do I want them to change the way they think? – Do I want to bring about an emotional state? Questions to Ask Yourself • What do I want to get out of this? – The speech contest is also a growth exercise – So, it’s worthwhile to ask how you are hoping to grow from this exercise as a speaker, and as an individual The Ballot • In terms of the contest, think not in terms of judges, but in terms of the ballot • The ballot does allow a lot of subjective judgment • However, attention to the ballot can help you understand why sometimes the speech you remember most isn’t necessarily the one that wins The Ballot on Content • Speech development (20 points) – “speech is structured around a purpose”, “as a unified whole” • Effectiveness (15 points) – “audience response”, “subjective judgment”, clear purpose • Speech value (15 points) – “responsibility to say something meaningful to the audience”, a “contribution to [the audience’s] thinking” The Ballot on Content • Be sure to think about all of these – Coming up with your core message is the most important step in speechwriting – Darren LaCroix and Jim Key both told me that I should be able to summarize my key message into 10 words or less – Within the speech, you should challenge your audience to think about how your message relates to their lives, and give them time to think about this What One Champion Says • Jim Key, 2003 World Champion: – “Johnny Carson has said that people will pay more to be entertained than educated; however, if you can educate while entertaining, then you're truly hit upon something.” – Talk about something you “completely believe in, from which you sincerely believe that the audience would benefit.” Structure • The ballot emphasizes being clear of purpose • Use a clear structure – Grab attention immediately – Have a clear introduction – Develop a meaningful, coherent speech body – Revisit introduction or body in conclusion Delivery • Consider the statement on the next slide – First, imagine it as delivered by the most boring professor in the world – Then, imagine it again, as delivered by a professor who is dynamic, dramatic, and really cares about her material Delivery • “So with PET scans, MRIs, CAT scans, EEGs, and BEAM imaging we have all sorts of brain imaging equipment at our disposal; however, psychology still can’t address Descartes’ original question, of how the mind is connected to the brain. Psychology still can’t tell us what consciousness is.” Delivery • From this exercise you should have learned that it’s important to think about how you deliver every sentence – This is not to say that every sentence should be delivered with maximum drama – Rather, there are no throwaway sentences; every sentence is important, every sentence can benefit from thoughtful consideration as to its delivery The Ballot on Delivery • Physical (10 points): – “appearance should reinforce the speech”, “body language should support points through gestures, expressions, body positioning” – What can you do? • • • • Move around – but not excessively! Use the entire speaking area Address the whole audience Videotape your rehearsals and performances – Sometimes what the audience sees is different from what you think they see The Ballot on Delivery • Voice (10 points) – “flexible”, “variety of rate and volume”, “clearly understood” – Think about pauses, tone and pace • Darren LaCroix emphasizes the use of pauses to let the audience think and absorb your points • A great contest speech is often like a rollercoaster ride - you lift the audience up and down, around corners in directions they never expected. You steer them using your delivery The Ballot on Delivery • Manner (10 points) – “indirect revelation of the speaker’s real self”, “enthusiasm and assurance”, “interest in the audience and confidence in their reactions” – Don’t just let the audience hear a speech, let them experience you as a speaker • Your confidence and enthusiasm send the message that your message should be as exciting to them as it is to you The Ballot on Language • Smallest component of the point scoring, but may be the easiest place to lose a few points, or to set yourself apart to gain points – The higher the level of the contest, the more likely that the top speakers will only be separated by a point or two The Ballot on Language • Appropriateness (10 points) – words that “relate to your speech purpose” and to the audience. • Correctness (10 points) – “proper use of grammar and correct pronunciation” to show you are the “master of the words being used” – have someone who’s grammatically knowledgeable listen to your speech a few times, to catch things you might not notice Language • Try to develop a few powerful turns of phrase, things you want the audience to remember • This is not a matter of complex wording, often quite the opposite – Straightforward wording can pack real power: • “I have a dream” • “Ask not what your country can do for you” • “Tear down this wall” Language Exercise • Change the language to make this sentence more interesting: “George got out of bed, went downstairs, stepped outside and picked up the mail.” • Think about ways you could change the wording to make this more vivid and have the audience feel what George feels So, What Else? • Practice • Jim Key practiced at 20+ clubs for each of regional and international levels, and “hundreds of times privately” • Darren LaCroix: – "I knew I was not the most talented; not the best speaker in the world. But, I thought, I can be the best prepared." Finally… • Before contests, get your game face on – Drink enough water to avoid dry mouth – Make sure your energy level is up – Walk up there with a spring in your step and a sense of enthusiasm • Enjoy the rush!