Atention getters: A great place for us to start talking about good speeches. Think of a speech or speaker you either admire or can't stand! How do they hold the attention of their audience? Do they do it well? Why? Typically, unusual visual or video samples, startling statistics, moving quotes and even PC jokes can be used effectively. Combine them for even more "wow"power! It is most important to begin and end memorably, but peppering the speech throughout with these clever devices is even better! Be sure they suit the theme and tone of your speech overall! Feel free to share a link in your response so we can see what you are talking about!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aggaIXpstoQ
ReplyDeleteIt would be easy for me to find speakers I like, so I decided to talk about one I don't. I normally think Rush Limbaugh is a blowhard and a knucklehead, but he definitely gets your attention with his overly dramatic style and in-your-face delivery. Kind of like an accident on the side of the road gets your attention; you say you don't want to look but you slow down and look anyway. This little tirade, however, did get me thinking. With all of the focus on immigration directed at us (the U.S.) it's interesting to think that Mexico has it's own strict immigration laws, possibly stricter than ours. Most countries do for that matter. While some of what Rush says here may be hyperbole, I did a bit of internet research and found some things that backed him up. Man, to think that Rush actually made me question some things....that stings! Of course the other side of all this is that if you have money you are pretty much welcome anywhere. It's just the poor that really feel the brunt of immigration laws. I know we have some Mexicans in our class and it would be interesting to hear your take on it. How are immigrants really treated in Mexico?
"All the problems we face in the United States today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian."
Pat Paulsen
"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The main characters, Alan Shore and Denny Crane, on the now defunct show "Boston Legal" always got my attention. I loved the show because of the abilty of each of these characters whether in court or not to grab the spotlight and make it their show. This show with its strong political views was the perfect stage for two characters who were so outrageous yet brilliant in their ability to execute the usually well written dialogue with poignant emotion and charisma. The show and it's weekly courtroom productions highlighted the farce that courtroom proceedings could become but also showed the pursuasive power of public speaking. Alan Shore and Denny Crane made the show great with their attention grabbing and thought provoking diatribes and behavior. They were able to make controversial issues more palatable and tangible with humor, good writing, and statistics. Mad Cow Disease killed Denny Crane.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any particular speakers in mind, just general memories of what I've seen work and what I've seen fail.
ReplyDeleteI think that yes, good quotes, jokes, and surprising facts are great openers. They definitely have helped pique my interests whatever the topic. Laughter and surprise or awe are good emotions to bring out in an audience. Sometimes even eliciting anger or sadness can make someone more likely to pay attention. If you can get a reaction from someone, that usually means they were paying attention.
Opening with visuals of people or characters in silly or inappropriate situations, or a one to three panel comic connected to the topic, are some examples of good, light-hearted, eye-catching aids. Moving photographs of starving or ill-stricken children (or both) are often used with great results. Visual aids do not just help getting an audience's attention, they can help set the tone of the speech as well. I think having visuals spread throughout a speech, whether they are charts, artwork, photographs, diagrams, etc help keep the audience's attention. After all, while there is nothing wrong with books without pictures, who doesn't like a book with pictures?
But in addition to having a good opening line, I think that part of getting an audience's attention and keeping it is dependent on the delivery. One can have a great opening or ending line but if the lines are said in a deadpan voice, who will care? If a speaker reads from their papers, eyes stuck to the pages or the computer monitor, where's the connection? I have always found that speakers who make eye contact, have movement and life (don't just stand still or if they have to at least make hand gestures), and sound like they know what they're talking about and are genuinely interested in or passionate about they're talking about make me more likely to stay focused. Even if a speaker goes off on a tangent, but still sounds interesting and excited, I won't mind at all.
Secretary of state Condoleeza Rice is an exceptional speaker. She is able to hold the attention of her audience through her enthusiasm for the topic being spoken upon. Her passion for the topic she speaks about makes her audience excited as well. What also works with the way she gives her speech, is how she pauses after certain phrases so as to emphasize what she is saying. She also starts out her speeches by connecting with her audience through identifying with them. She compares herself to the audience and she makes it feel as if she understands the audience and is just like them. In connecting with the audience through sharing with them personal information about how her past experiences may overlap with their's, Rice is definitely able to grab the attention of her audience very well early on.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esQ7WSzJUxk
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the few speeches where I thought the jokes were genuinely funny. His idea to base his speech around how he became the keynote speaker was both entertaining and relevant, as there had been a huge backlash at the original choice(James Franco). He manages to use that set up to place jokes throughout his speech and never breaks stride, even when he changes clothes and stops for a guitar number. The only downside to the emphasis on humor is that any serious point he had sort of gets lost in the jokes and the laughter of the crowd. Still, a memorable and entertaining speech, definitely the highlight of the entire graduation ceremony.
I'm not much for cheesey best man speeches, but I loved this one! (Guys, and some girls, dont let the words "best man speech" discourage you from seeing this!)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDyoVwgUFxM&feature=related
Despite the first toast "to the bartender," I loved how he opened with reading off cards as some best man speeches may start, and then turn it into a joke. He really uses his props well. It's almost like he has multiple openings, using his cards and props, using jokes, and even using a quote that turned into another joke. I generally would start tuning out after the "Toast to the bartender" but as he started to open his speech I couldnt help but want to keep listening becaues his opening jokes were hilarious!
Sara Perry
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of good speakers I think of Jason, Kelly, and Gavin on the morning wakeup show for 107.9 The End. They always had my attention and had something either hilarious off the top or even something that is very interesting to talk about. Giving that I am their every morning audience I like to hear something different each morning and they have the topics for that. Just waking up and listening to them puts a smile on my face. They’re so carefree and spontaneous with their show.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, there are also dislikes about them. I really dislike how some times they can be so inconsiderate about the audiences’ feelings or the callers that calls them. If they can just do the normal show and also include some considerations with the audience that would make them an absolutely awesome speakers; however, dispite all the inconsiderate blows they're pretty great speakers.
Thanks,
Mary Jo Saelee
http://www.mytherapypractice.com/Successful_practice/good-speaker.html
ReplyDeleteI don't have a good speaker in the U.S but I found good characteristics a speaker should has. As a summary, to say fresh ideas, be on time, has a funny intro, focus on 3 or 4 ideas,has aid contact, and good conclusion make the speech terrific.
I read my classmate comments and I checked out the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esQ7WSzJUxk by Poulmcg on the blog and it is a great example because every one is focus in what he will say and he gives funny ideas in his speech.
Juliana Diaz
I could not think of any public speakers that I have heard off hand, so I ended up looking for public speakers online and I found Jim Key.
ReplyDeleteJim Key was the world champion for apublic speaking in 2003. I watched the link below and the entrance started off with loud music that got the attention of his audience. When he first started he thanked the audience for their enthusiasm in his greeting. He started off his speech with a humorous and enthusiastic story. He used hand gestures to get his point across in his speech. He related the story to his topic. He used jokes and examples throught out his speech and it kept the attention of the audience. At the end he used the same music that he came in with to exit with and he reiterated his main point. The only thing I noticed was there was no visuals for the audiece to relate to or statistics for their minds to cling to. However, I think his jokes and examples made up for his lack of visuals.
http://www.youtube.com/watchv=UpnGvCMstWg&feature=PlayList&p=086B3D3DF9032572&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=30.
Well I’m not going too far out the box here but I decided to pick Barack Obama. I wouldn’t say that I am a huge fan of him but when I think of speeches in general he is the person that come to mind. The tone of his voice comes off to seem very honest and concerned for the well being of the American people. Most of the time when he comes on stage the crowd goes wild for him and he applauses to the crowd like in his way for saying thank you for being here. He also has awesome music playing. I like and also think its kind of funny when he points at the crowd, it reminds me of the Uncle Sam poster saying “I WANT YOU”. One thing I am not a huge fan about is how he list things. Like when he talks about need support from across the country, from California, Washington, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Alabama and so on. Why need to name so many I get it. Overall I think he is a good speaker and is able to excite the audience and keep them interested.
ReplyDeleteAlex Drumheller
My trainer at work is horrible with any given training presentations. He is very unclear and he doesn’t present his training activities or agenda very well. He is very unorganized and jumps back and forth in his lectures. Most of the times I’m so confused on where or how to follow with him or are on the activities.
ReplyDeleteI give him the effort for trying to improve each time, but I think maybe his best quality is to get some training on how to train or be a speaker. He tends to forget what he says or what training activities to go with next. With this said, he is one of the worse presenter or trainer I have met. Overall he is a great guy. He is very kind and he does try to put effort in it each time. It is never enough.
Tonya Pierson
My Dad. What a speaker, I know that it's strange but let me tell you this man could talk. He was a football Coach and he persuaded so many of his players to go out to the field and win. When they didn't win he was still able to bring them into the locker room and get them pumped for the next game. He could tell the whole family a story and make us all listen.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have anyone else in particular. I do like movie speeches like Brave Heart, A few Good Men. In Conclusion I really enjoy people who are passionate when they talk, have a point to get across, and a person with a strong voice.
Aurea Smith J.
Well... since we are talking about good speaker or bed, I will say President Obam will be the best speaker I know so far. I can wach his speach more then half hour. Now, I am not a political dude, I really easy to get bord after max of 10 min if the speaker keep talking to me about political and only one way speach. But for Obam, some how maybe is the way he move or the way of his tone, make it really easy to go into the ear. For something that don't have to do anything to do with me, make me feel I am part of it. He make me feel he is not talking to everybody, but only speak to me. The reason why he is a great speaker not only he can do that to who ever that is lessoning. Also he do not write the speach, wich mean he is a turth great speaker for he only using his voles.
ReplyDelete(Obama just have a school speech go wach it, and see if I am righ or not)
These are great examples--I like the details you all shared to keep your examples clear for those who aren't familair with the speaker or show--Great class last night--also I fixed the nonymous post option too--Smiles--S
ReplyDeleteNicole Dulin
ReplyDeleteCom 301
I have read this week’s blog. I can thing of a speaker who I admire, and the reason why she could hold the attention of her audience. If a topic is of interest to someone it’s because they agree or disagree with the topic, or find interest to learn more about the topic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqlJdlPmXUE
Speaker: Oprah Winfrey
Title: Chang
I’ve recently listened to a speech from Oprah Winfrey about change. She started the speech involving the audience by repeating the word we. For example she says, “We can all look around us and know that we don’t just want to reinvent the same reality that we are now all experiencing.” She kept the audiences attention by using hand jesters and maintaining eye contact. To cover from showing her performance anxiety, she brought to the audience’s attention that she feels out of her range, in a funny manner, making the crowd laugh.
My current favorite public speaker is our president. He just grabs the attention of the audience immediately. I like the way he appeals to the people or group his is speaking to how he is able to take a human approach. Children or adult. I Also like that he speaks with confidence which makes you feel that he is very knowledgeable about what he is saying. His closings are usually insightful and or inspirational.
ReplyDeleteKatrina Harvey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K3xU9FJpg8
ReplyDeleteI really like chris rock. I know its not really a speech but he is in front of many people talking so....I like his energy and how is is always smiling and looking happy. It keeps the audience intruiged i think. Also i like how he has so many different tones and waht not to make it a lot more fun to listen to.
Off hand, I can not think of a current public speaker that has captured my attention. (Although, I would say that Obama is effective.) In the past I have been impressed with Cesar Chavez. I think that what made him effective is that he was an unconventional speaker. I have heard Cesar Chavez speak and have witnessed the crowds reaction to him. He was effective because he was humble and passionate about his cause. He captivated the audience by speaking with honesty and a down to earth style. He was able to empower and motivate his audience to act by sharing his experience.
ReplyDeleteJoel Lopez
I think it's true that when humor is used at the right moments, it can really add to a speech. I think President Obama's speeches are really inspriring and great because sometimes he does add a joke or two to them. An example of a horrible public speaker (although, HILARIOUS) is Michael Scott from "The Office". He always bores/disrespects/humiliates his employees in his speeches.
ReplyDelete-Heather Buchanan
I think it is so annoying when people always end their sentence with "you know?" A random example would be Jennifer Lopez. I just saw her on a tv interview the other day and she adds "you know" to all her sentences. I just wanted to yell "no I do not know!" Especially when the speaker is giving an informative speech or a speech about their lives, how in the world would we know if they are just telling us? A lot of doctors, I notice, do the same thing. The veterinary I work for adds "you know" when hes trying to teach me something or give me information, because I will nod my head that I understand or hear what he is saying and he'll think I had already known what he was telling me. Very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThomas McDowell (aka anonymous)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite speaker would have to be Kevin Trudeau who has written the book Natural Cures "they" Don't Want You to Know About. I watch stand up constantly and no comedian is as comical or demands as much attention as kevin. He is a pro at grabbing your attention by promising you a solution for all of lifes problems!!! I think I am going to utilize this technique next time I want a bunch of idiots to buy something I wrote.
Ryan Takao
ReplyDeleteI can't think of one at this very moment. Humor is a great way to open a speech and gather the audience's attention. Likewise, startling or emotional images or references are also good attention getters/holders. I admire the way President Obama carries himself when giving a speech and commands respect.
Ryan Bennett
ReplyDeleteIve got to say I dont admire the man but Benito Mussolini the Italian dictator in the 30's and early 40's had an amazing ability for speech. He was extremely charizmatic and knew how to appeal to both the fears and wants of the people. However, his captive audience didn't stay captive long, they ended up executing him