1. INTRODUCING A SPEAKER
Be brief. Never more than two minutes, except on very formal occasions. Avoid Stale and stilted phrases i.e. “It is indeed a pleasure”, “a man who needs no introduction’, “we are gathered here
tonight”.
Avoid an over-florid prediction of the treat that awaits the audience. Avoid exaggerating your speaker’s qualifications or listing his achievements in great detail and length. List only the most recent qualifications and/or those of interest to your audience.
Avoid mentioning your speaker’s name until you are ready to present him. The proper sequence is-preamble, background qualifications etc, then, “May I present the managing director Mr Charles …Jones” (The fractional pause between title and names allows them to be clearly heard) Announce the speaker’s name to the audience. Don’t face the speaker. He knows his name! Avoid spotlight stealing. You’re merely making an introduction, not a full speech. The hero of the evening is the speaker – not you.
Answer the questions in the formula listed below when preparing your introductory speech:
(a) Why this subject?
(b) Why this subject for this audience?
(c) Why this subject or this audience at this time?
(d) Why this subject for this audience at this time by this speaker?
If you prepare your introductory speech based on this formula, your speech is bound to be good in content, whether or not you have reached the stage of able delivery.
Here is an example showing how to introduce: (A student has the assignment of introducing Edward Russell, speaking on “The New Industrial Era”, to an annual meeting of the Witwatersrand Association of Manufacturers)
Why this subject?
Ladies and Gentlemen, the whole world Today is craning its neck to peer around the corner. Will the “New Industrial Era” lead up or down?
Why this audience?
To all the manufacturers here this evening, this question is doubly interesting.
Why this occasion?
We are particularly interested in it right now – because the dark shadow of world depression, which hangs over this year’s meeting, seems to indicate that the old industrial era – as we knew it
– will not return.
Why this speaker?
As an interpreter of the New Industrial Era, our speaker is most capable. He is a journalist, lecturer, and author of many important books. I present to you a member of our special diplomatic mission to Russia, our Commissioner to Great Britain on Public Information, a member of the present Industrial Commission – Mr….Edward….Russell.
When you speak, listeners expect to hear something new and interesting. Draw upon your experiences.
Above all be enthusiastic!
You’ll generate excitement and enthusiasm in your talk in direct proportion to the amount of excitement and enthusiasm you put into it.
John Shedd said, “I like a man who bubbles with enthusiasm. Better be a geyser than a mud puddle”.
Cottingham once said, “Merit begets confidence, confidence begets enthusiasm, enthusiasm conquers the world”.
2. THANK-YOU SPEECH
Be brief – 30 seconds to one minute.
Don’t refer in detail to the speech material – you are not critiquing or evaluating the speech – you are thanking the speaker on behalf of the group.
Comment, if appropriate, on worthwhile qualities/results likely to emanate from the speech.
Express thanks for entertainment – thought, preparation, useful information, special news to your group, a long journey (possibly at the speaker’s own expense), sacrifice of time etc. End with applause.
3. PRESENTATION SPEECH
Refer briefly to the occasion.
Refer to the achievement of the recipient.
Express your goodwill.
Make a formal presentation.
Start applause as you sit down.
4. ACCEPTANCE SPEECH (gift)
Express your most sincere thanks. Mention your debt to the group making the presentation e.g. “As I look back over the years spent here, I find so much to be thankful for….” Express thanks again.
5. PROPOSING A TOAST
Make opening reference to the occasion.
Refer to the achievement of recipient/recipients.
Express on behalf of all those present, goodwill toward the recipient of the toast.
The formal toast: “Ladies and Gentlemen, will you please rise and drink a toast with me to….”
6. REPLYING TO A TOAST
Say thanks – freely, but sincerely.
Reflect the spotlight back on your audience e.g. “If all the nice things you say are true, it’s largely because of my association with such valuable friends that are here tonight”.
Say thanks again and sit down.
7. ENTERTAINING SPEECHES
Be brief, particularly if you are not a natural humorist. This speech demands thought, full preparation and confidence.
Set about collecting a supply of humour – a few stories, a few jokes. Pleasant good humour is the key. However, it must be tied up in some way with the subject of your speech.
Personalise the material. Adapt it to your audience and yourself. Assume your words are personal, and that your listeners are your friends. Play good-naturedly on the persons present. Find out who is on the program and in the audience. Establish who will introduce you.
Keep your language and comments in line with the theme of the gathering. Don’t make unpopular remarks. Poke a little fun here and there. If speaking on something commonplace, try to dig up an unusual feature or aspect to make it really interesting.
Select something that will serve to introduce the serious content of your speech. Find a conclusion that will leave the audience upbeat and smiling.
