WAKE 'EM
UP!
Business
Presentations
A book on public speaking by Tom Antion
Learn how to use humor and other professional techniques to create alarmingly good Business Presentations.
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No Brainstoppers!
Evoking Emotions
Words that Sell
Public Speaking Glossary
No Brainstoppers!
The word "brainstopper" is a term
from my book on public speaking that means something you say or do that causes
the mind of an audience member to stop and think. Usually when this happens
it is a bad thing.
An example of a good brainstopper would be to say something like, "Take a moment and think about the first time you remember getting a birthday present."
A statement like this would take the audience's minds back to a distant memory. For most of the audience this will be a pleasant experience, even though some may find it unpleasant. Either way you still are directing the show. You will learn how to lead the audience and direct them to certain thoughts by reading my book on public speaking.
An example of a bad brainstopper is if you said, "That man's elocution is impeccable." All of us brilliant minds and greatly educated people know the word "elocution" means fine form in speaking or reading. But if you used this word in a less educated audience, the second it was out of your mouth, the brains of the audience would be trying to figure out what the word "elocution" means. Thus, you have created a brainstopper because you used a word that was not easily understood by the entire audience. They will not hear your next few sentences because they are still trying to figure out what the word "elocution" means. Do this several times and they will tune out altogether.
Another way to create a brainstopper is by distracting them by displaying an unusual prop before explaining what it is. This would make an audience member stop listening while their minds tried to figure out what the prop is. If you were talking during this time, they wouldn't hear a word you said.
Examine your word choice and actions carefully before you perform on stage. It is hard enough to keep the attention of you audience. Don't make it worse by using bad brainstoppers. Carefully selected brainstoppers can be a good part of the skills you will learn from my book on public speaking.
Evoking Emotions
Another great skill from my
book on public speaking is to involve the audience's emotions to get a better
response. If you tug on their heart strings a little bit you can make it
happen. This is where your storytelling ability can really pay off.
My friends Maggie Bedrosian and Thelma Wells are wonderful storytellers who can take a simple set of facts and paint really detailed pictures in the minds of their audience.
You can get an emotional response from your audience by doing more than just telling a good story. You can ask them certain questions to involve the audience mentally and stimulate many kinds of different emotions. "Do you remember when you were a child and you could barely get to sleep Christmas Eve because you just knew Santa was going to bring you that special toy?" This question would stimulate good feelings in audiences where people celebrated Christmas. It would not, however, connect so well with people who don't celebrate Christmas.
Here is another question you could ask to get them thinking, "Do you remember doing something really bad as a child?" "What kind of punishment did your parents give you?" These questions would cause the audience members to remember bad feelings.
"Did you ever have a pet that died, or did you have a friend who had a pet that died?" This question would definitely evoke sad feelings. If you want the audience to smile, ask them this, "Can you remember the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?" You will find that most people laugh when remembering back to an embarrassing situation. One of the definitions of humor is tragedy separated by space and time. So in your presentation, tell stories and ask the right questions to move the emotional state of your audience.
There are many different emotions you can trigger in the audience just by choosing the right words. Happiness, anger, sadness, nostalgia are just a few. You must know your purpose for speaking to a group so that you can pick which emotions you want to tap into. Then you can choose words to get the desired emotional response your looking for.
Here's an example of a simple set of facts that a speaker could say to the audience:
"There have been twelve accidents in the past year at the sharp curve which is two miles north of Cherokee Lake on Route 657. Installation of guard rails, warning signs, and a flashing light will cost approximately $38,000. Even though we have not balanced the budget this year, I feel that we should appropriate money for this project. Thank you."
Here is a little different version that uses emotional appeal to get the message across.
"On July 18th of this year John
Cochran was found dead. The radio of
his car was still playing when the paramedics got to his overturned
vehicle. John's neck was broken. It was snapped when his car flipped
over an embankment. No one here knows John Cochran because he did not
live here, but he died in our neighborhood. Most of you do know of the
hairpin turn on Route 657 that has been the scene of twelve car accidents
this year alone and has injured many friends as well as strangers. We
need money to put up guardrails, signs, and a flashing light. I know
money is tight, but I hope you see fit to find the funds to remedy this
situation before the unknown John Cochran becomes one of your loved
ones."
Can you see the difference in these two appeals? The first was simply a set of facts. Facts are important, but they rarely stimulate people to action. The action comes when emotions get attached to believable facts. You can bet the second version of the above story would have the best chance of securing that $38,000. Moving people to action is part of using the skills that you will learn in my book on public speaking.
To create the emotional appeal in the second version of the story, words and phrases were chosen that used emotional power. ... John Cochran was found dead. The radio of his car was still playing ... John's neck was broken. It was snapped ... His car flipped ... hairpin turn ... He died in our neighborhood. All these phrases were put into the original set of facts to create the emotional response of horror about this terribly dangerous turn.
Words that Sell
This article from my book on
public speaking has the same title as a famous book written by Richard Bayan.
This book is used by marketing professionals all over the world. I was
skimming through this book the other day, and realized that the same words
used by marketers and salesmen could be applied towards a speaker to get the
same kind of response from your audience.
Basically we are trying to sell our ideas and thoughts during our presentation, and maybe our books and products we sell. We want to increase our credibility to the audience don't we? We want to move people to action don't we? These are all the things that good advertising copywriters try to accomplish when writing their words. Judiciously using the phrases in this book will give you a more scientific way to accomplish the goals of your speech. This book will give you the specific words or phrases to get a specific response from the audience. I recommend its use in my book on public speaking.
For instance, What if you wanted to tell the audience to go check out a good resource. You want to persuade them to seek it out and take advantage of it. If you look in the "Words that Sell" book and go to the "Informative" section you will find words and phrases that mean valuable and informative.
Then you could say, "This
resource will:
* keep you abreast of ...
* give you new insight ...
* take the guesswork out of ...
* expand your knowledge ...
* help to alter your perceptions of ...
* give you the hard facts ...
* keep you ahead of the game ...
There were 33 phrases in that section alone. This book will definitely simplify your work when searching for just the right thing to say to make a particular point in your presentation or to move your audience to action. In addition, it is an indispensable tool to have around when you are writing copy for your promotional material and website that advances your presentation skills.
Public
Speaking Glossary
Acronym: A form
of abbreviation where the letters of the abbreviation form a new word as in
HUD for The Department of Housing and Urban Development (not HUT, but HUD),
or JIRC for Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission (Truly, it exists in
Virginia.)
Ad-lib: Unplanned words or phrases spoken during a
presentation.
Alliteration: The repetition of the same first sound or
the same first letter in a group of words or line of poetry as in from stem
to stern.
Anachronism: A person, place, or event that is placed in a
time period in which it does not belong.
(Such as "George Washington", live, sitting in front of a computer in my
office.)
Analogy: A comparison of two things that are alike in some
ways and different in others.
(An example is your brain is similar to a computer.)
Anecdote: A short interesting or amusing incident.
Aside: In the theater, something said to the audience that
is pretended not to be heard by the other actors. In television, the actor
would look right at the camera and talk to the viewers. In a speech or
presentation, the speaker would make a temporary departure from the main
theme or topic.
Attribution: Crediting the source of material used in a
presentation.
Audience gag: A joke pulled on the audience, sometimes with
some of the audience members used as shills (willing participants).
Audience Participation: The
audience doing something other than listening during a public speaking
engagement. Some of them could be on-stage with you, carrying on group
discussions, playing games, singing, etc.
A/V: Abbreviation for audiovisual equipment, such as
overhead projectors, tape recorders, slide projectors, microphones, etc.
Bits: A short section of material so related that it is
easy to memorize. Also called Chunks, Series.
Black Humor: According to Webster's Dictionary, (Note:
Please don't use in a professional presentation),
"Humor that ignores human suffering and looks for the absurdity in any
experience, even the most tragic." Used as a stress reliever in many high
pressure occupations (medicine, law enforcement, military, etc.).
Blocking: Positioning of you and your equipment on the
stage. Also your intended movement on the stage.
Blooper : A clumsy mistake, especially one made in public;
a "faux pas" (a "foe - pa", not a "fox paw", haha).
Blue Humor: Risqué or dirty humor. Humor that is risky to
use, and can kill a career. Also called Off-color humor.
The kind of humor everyone likes, tells in private, but won't admit it in
public. (OK, I'm kidding -- or am I?)
Do not use this type of humor in your public speaking skills, because blue
humor is not meant to be public.
Bomb: In the USA a GIANT failure. In Great Britain a
smashing success. (Anyone speak English?)
Bombproofing: Term coined by your lovable author to signify
the steps you take as a presenter to be sure you don't bomb.
Breakout session: Splitting the entire group into smaller
groups to hear special interest public speaking topics.
Callback: Referring to a word or phrase you mentioned
earlier in your presentation.
Canned act: The use of standard material regardless of the
makeup of the audience (not customized). Also Planned Spontaneity.
Canned ad-lib: Pre-planned response to a presentation
problem or audience member comment.
Caricature: A picture in which the
subject's distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a
comic or grotesque effect.
Cartoon: An illustrated joke. Also Comic Strip.
Cheap laugh: Simple, sometimes tasteless, laughs that
anyone, regardless of skill level, could elicit from the audience during a
public speaking engagement (this is my specialty Ha-ha).
Chunks: See Bits .
Classroom seating: Seating style where chairs are placed
behind tables.
Cliché: A worn-out saying such as "It's better to be safe
than sorry" (that's a sorry cliché).
Comeback: A humorous or clever retort to an audience
comment. Also Repartee or Riposte.
Comedian: An amusing person whose primary purpose is to
entertain. Also Comic.
Comedienne: Older, less politically correct, term for a
female comedian.
Comic: See Comedian.
Comic relief: An amusing element introduced into a serious
speech or play to temporarily relieve tension.
Comic strip: Cartoon progressing over a series of scenes.
Concurrent session: A session occurring at the same time as
another (breakout) session.
Content: The usable information in a presentation.
Convulsive laughter: Violent laughter that causes a person
to lunge forward, backward or both.
Cordless microphone: A microphone which works by
transmitting radio signals to a receiver which is connected to the public
address (PA) system. Also Wireless Microphone.
Custom humor: Humorous comments, skits, role playing, gags,
or costuming devised specifically for a particular audience. Dais:
A raised platform in the front of the room where the speaker stands. Also
Podium, Riser, Stage or Platform.
Deadpan expression: A serious expression contrasted with
funny lines.
Demo tape: An audio or video tape used to promote speakers,
bands, magicians, etc.
Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience.
Dynamic range: Gradation of intensity available for use by
a presenter from demure whisper to boisterous screams.
Easel: A tripod or frame used to support flipchart pads or
other visuals.
Emcee: Abbrev. MC, An informal term for Master of
Ceremonies. Also Toastmaster, Roastmaster.
Exaggeration humor: Expanding or diminishing features or
information to outrageous proportions for comic effect.
Extemporaneous: An impromptu or spontaneous presentation.
Extender line: Line added to the end of a humorous comment
that evokes additional laughter.
Flipchart: Large pieces of
paper either bound or loose that are supported on an easel.
Flop sweat: 1. Fear of performing 2. Perspiration while
fearful of performing or while bombing.
Fluff: Normally lighthearted information in a presentation
used to entertain or motivate (not hard data).
Gag: Wordplay or horseplay with the audience.
Gag order: Meeting planner "Judges" you and tells you to
shut up (I couldn't resist throwing this one in).
General session: All attendees present at the same
presentation.
Gesticulate: To gesture in an animated and excited manner
or simply to gesture.
Goldwynism: 1940's term for comical misuse of language.
Named after movie mogul Sam Goldwyn.
Greenroom: A backstage room where speakers and performers
can relax when they are not on stage.
Also applies to television studios.
Handheld microphone: A corded or cordless microphone that
can be held to your mouth or mounted on a lectern or microphone stand.
Handout: Any promotional or educational material given to
each audience member.
Handsfree microphone: A corded or cordless microphone that
attaches to the presenter's clothing. Also Lavaliere.
Head table: A table at the front of the room reserved for
the leaders, special guests and speakers at an event.
Heart story: Touching story that normally brings tears to
the eyes of audience members.
Heckler: Audience member who purposely annoys or bothers
the presenter usually by means of verbal abuse
Hey stupid question: Trite question posed to the audience
like "How many of you want to make more money?"
Honorarium: Payment for speaking or other services. (The
answer to the question, above.)
House lights: Lights that illuminate the audience.
Humorist: Speaker who uses humor to make points, convey a
message, and entertain.
Humorous acknowledgment: Mildly amusing admission of guilt
immediately followed by a serious response.
Idiom: An expression of a given language that cannot be
understood from the individual meanings of its words,
as in 'keep tabs on'.
Impostor guest speaker: Speaker with false credentials
employed to pull a gag on the audience for the purposes of stress reduction,
morale boost, and/or entertainment.
In fun: A climate in the presentation area such that the
speaker and audience are in the mood for laughter.
Introducer: Person who presents the speaker to the audience
and gives a brief account of the speaker's history.
Introduction: A normally written opening to a speech used
by the introducer to present the speaker to the audience.
Jokes: Something said or done to create laughter or
amusement.
Juxtaposition: The placing, side-by-side, of two ideas or
items usually for the purpose of comic comparison or contrast.
Keynote: The main speech at a
meeting delivered to all attendees in a general session. Originally the main
point of a speech.
Lavaliere: A corded or cordless microphone worn around the
neck or attached to a piece of clothing. See Hands free microphone.
Lectern: A stand with a sloping top from which a speaker
delivers his or her program. Sometimes incorrectly called a podium.
Localization and personalization: The process of changing
details of a story or joke to suit the intended audience
Malaprop: An absurd misuse of words. See Goldwynism.
Master of ceremonies: A person who acts as host of an
event, making the welcoming speech and introducing other speakers or
entertainers. Also Toastmaster, Roastmaster, Emcee, MC.
MC: n. Abbreviation for Master of ceremonies. v. Acting as Master
of ceremonies as in Joe will MC the event.
Meeting planner: The person in charge of planning the
logistical parameters of a meeting like room setup, hotel arrangements,
meals, travel, and sometimes hiring of speakers. Also Coordinator, Organizer
or Planner.
Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that
ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another,
thus making a comparison, as in "She is an angel on the platform".
Mic: Abbreviation for microphone pronounced mike.
Moderator: Person who presides over a meeting, panel, or
debate.
Multimedia: The use of several media, such as movies,
slides, music, and lighting in combination
normally for the purpose of education or entertainment.
Off the cuff: In an extemporaneous or informal manner. Old
time speakers would make notes on their shirt cuffs instead of preparing for
a talk.
One-liner: A general term for a very short piece of humor.
Overhead projector: Device used to project images from
transparent film onto a screen or the wall.
Oxymoron: Two concepts {usually two words} that do not go
together, but are used together like old news, extensive briefing, criminal
justice, military intelligence, direct circumvention and random order.
PA: Abbreviation for public
address system.
Panel: A group of presenters, normally seated, that hold a
discussion on a particular subject. Audience members are invited to pose
questions to individual presenters or to the group as a whole.
Parody: A humorous imitation of a serious piece of
literature or song.
Plant: A person pretending to be a normal audience member,
who, in fact, is there to assist the speaker in some way.
Platform: Raised area in front of the audience where the
speaker stands. Also, Dais, Riser, Podium or Stage.
Pleonasm: The bringing together of two concepts or words
that are redundant like frozen ice, sharp point, killed dead, sandy beach,
young child, positive praise (in ways different than 'oxymoron')
Plug: An informal advertisement made during a presentation
used to promote a product or service.
Podium: See Platform. Many people call a lectern a podium.
This is technically incorrect, but very common.
Practical joke: A playful trick that usually puts the
receiver in an embarrassing position. Also Prank.
Prank: A practical joke that could be good natured or
malicious. See Practical joke.
Pratfall: In comedy, an on-purpose, exaggerated fall to the
floor usually accompanied by flailing arms and legs for effect.
Pre-program questionnaire: Information gathering document
used to customize a presentation.
Press kit: A package of information used to promote a
speaker or performer.
Prompter: A device used to electronically display a
magnified version of the script the speaker can see, but the audience can't.
(Commonly called a TelePrompter, which is actually a registered trade name.)
In theater, a person in the pit, the orchestra pit, out of sight, to help
actors with their lines from the script.
Prop: A shortened version of the theatrical term "property"
used to describe
any object handled or used by an actor in a performance.
Public address system: Abbreviated PA. The equipment used
to amplify sound for the audience.
Public domain: Material that anyone can use without the
need to give credit.
Public seminar: An educational event which is open to the
public.
Pun: The humorous use of words that sound alike or nearly
alike but are different in meaning as in "Isn't this a punny book?"
Punch line: The climactic word or phrase of a humorous
statement that provokes laughter.
Q&A: Abbreviation for the question and answer portion of a
presentation.
Rapport: Of French origin, connection with the audience,
especially one of mutual trust or emotional attraction.
Rehearse: To practice for a presentation until all the
rough spots are smoothed.
Relevance, Theory of: Belief that the only humor used in a
business presentation should be related to the subject of the presentation,
the speaker, the audience, or the location.
Repartee: A conversation full of quick, witty replies. Also
Comeback, Riposte.
Repeat engagement: A second presentation for the same
group.
Response to Introduction: After the introduction, comments
directed to the introducer or the audience about the introduction or
introducer.
Riposte: Sharp, quick action or reply. Also Comeback.
Roast: An event where the guest of honor is ridiculed and
teased in a good-natured, comical manner.
Roastmaster: The Master of Ceremonies at a roast, as
derived from a "Toastmaster".
Role play: An audience involvement exercise where the
audience members and/or the presenter interact
while assuming the attitudes and actions of others.
Rule of Three: Structure of humor where two serious items
set a pattern then the third unexpectedly switches the pattern
which provokes laughter, or three jokes on one topic in a bit.
Running gag: A gag that repeats itself or plays off a gag
that occurred earlier.
Saver line: Comment made to recover from a (supposedly)
humorous comment that failed.
Sarcasm: A cutting, often ironic, form of wit intended to
make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule
Segue: To move smoothly and unhesitatingly from one section
or theme of a presentation to another.
Pronounced seg-way.
Self-effacing humor: A very powerful form of humor that
highlights your own weaknesses.
Seminar: An educational session lasting from 30 minutes to
several days.
Series: See Bits, or Chunks. Portions of a longer speech
that is easier to learn, or remember.
Shill: In comedy, a person planted in the audience to
assist in a gag.
Shtick: A characteristic attribute, talent, or trait that
is helpful in securing recognition or attention.
In entertainment, a routine or gimmick attributed to a particular performer,
i. e. smashing watermelons is part of Gallagher's (the comedian) shtick.
Signature story: A story that is credited to a particular
person. This type of story should never be used without attribution.
Simile: A comparison of two things which, however different
in other respects,
have some strong point or points in common. The words like and as will
normally be used when making the comparison as in "His brilliance is like a
burned out light bulb."
Site: The location of the meeting. Also Venue.
Slapstick: Broad comedy involving boisterous action like
throwing pies and fake violence ala The Three Stooges.
Slide: A 35mm transparency. Sometimes used to describe an
overhead transparency.
Sound man (person): Person in charge of public address
system, sound board, recording, etc. during a presentation.
Sound system: See Public Address System.
Speakers bureau: A service company that provides speakers
for meeting planners.
Spokesperson: A person who speaks for or represents a
company, organization or other person.
Stage fright: Nervousness associated with performing or
speaking before an audience.
Stage left: As the performer faces the audience, the side
of the stage to his/her left.
Stage lights: Lights illuminating the stage area only.
Stage right: As the performer faces the audience, the side
of the stage to his/her right.
Stooge: An entertainer who feeds lines to the main
performer and frequently is the butt of the joke.
Tailoring: Adjusting material to better suit a particular
audience. Not quite customizing.
Test Humor: Humor used either in the introduction or early
parts of a talk to determine the extent to which the audience is in fun.
Testimonial: A statement, usually written, in support of a
another's character or worth; a personal recommendation.
Theater style seating: Seating where chairs are set in rows
without tables.
Timing: Adjusting one's speaking and pausing for dramatic
or comical effect.
Trainer: A person who conducts workshops and training sessions.
Transcribe: To make a written copy of a voice recording or
presentation.
Transparency: A slide that is viewed by light shining
through it from behind or by projection. Also Slide.
Two-step seminar: A free seminar where attendees are asked
to buy a second seminar or purchase products.
Upstage: The area of the stage
farthest from the audience. Also to steal the focus of the audience from the
intended main performer.
View-graph: Alternate name for overhead transparency.
Wings: Extreme sides of the stage normally hidden from the
audience by curtains or walls.
Whisper: Attention-gaining device where presenter speaks with
extremely low volume to one audience member.
Workshop: An educational session lasting from one hour to
many days. Usually includes hands-on practice in the particular skills being
taught.
ZZZs: The sound of dozing, or dozzzing, during a speech,
not allowed by a "Wake 'Em Up" speaker.
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