Pacing a Speech

You've written your speech.
You've read your speech.
You're confident you've given it your best because it's your story, and your story is invaluable to you and showcases what's best about you.

Now...how do you deliver your treasured story so other people get what you're trying to convey to them?

Well...one of the best orators in history is thought to be the late Sir Winston Churchill.

If you know his story, then you know he made some world-class mistakes as a younger man. He was often rude, eccentric and a know-it-all. He definitely didn't have looks going for him (Sorry, Winston).

But he had his moment in time, and he gave it all he had.

Head to the video icon and watch his speech. It's from the movie, "The Darkest Hour."

Notice how his use of words and his carefully paced delivery were effective in inspiring a nation to rise up and defend itself against Nazi Germany.

He knew that if England continued to ignore the power that was coming against it, then life as they knew it would be destroyed by the pending invasion. He was desperate to awaken the people of England to this very real danger and get them to fight for their freedom. He only had one shot to do so.

Let us know what you thought of his delivery when you've finished.

Sir Winston Churchill's speech was from the heart.

He delivered it with passion and made sure the importance of his message was slowed down enough for it to sink in with his listeners.

Take a moment to read your speech as if you were urging people to hear and understand the significance of your message.

It's your story. If you don't present it as the best part of you, then no one is going to be able to embrace it as you do.

Now, head for a mirror and practice if you're home alone. Otherwise, ask a friend, relative, mentor, teacher, etc. to hear your speech. Deliver it the way you want people to absorb it.

Describe what you saw in the mirror - or were told by your friend, etc. - in the space provided.

Remember, Churchill was not a popular man. He wasn't a looker. He had an awful reputation for insensitivity. But he had "it" (passion, honesty, humility, clarity and cadence) when he needed it most.

He was confident. He knew this was the most important speech he would ever deliver. It had to be put across so that his own passion, honesty, humility, clarity and cadence would make a profound impact upon his listeners.

Can you check all five of those boxes in your own presentation?
1-Passion
2-Honesty
3-Humility
4-Clarity
5-Cadence

If not, which of them do you think needs work?

Let's focus on what needs improvement.

First, though, how confident are you in your material? In other words, how much do you like what you wrote in your speech?

Is there anything you need to edit in your message so it has more impact? If so, take a moment to do so now. Return and select "successful" when you've finished.

If not, skip and go to the next step.

Think about the characteristics in Step 3 that you listed as needing some work.

Practice your delivery in front of a mirror or friend, etc. until you feel it has passion, feels honest and isn't fake or cocky (humility). Particularly look for improvement in the qualities you thought needed work.

Notice if you convey your message clearly (clarity) and if it's said in a way that the audience gets the full impact of what you're trying to convey (cadence).

These aren't just words. They're your story. They're a part of you. People want to connect to you as much as to your words.

Bring that to your presentation and describe how you felt after you've delivered it this time around.

Do it again and focus on speaking more slowly and earnestly, looking around the room at different people as you talk.

Your face should match your words. Sometimes your face will register pain. Sometimes joy. Sometimes humility.

The point is to connect your expression to your words. Give it punch when it needs punch and pause to emphasize something particularly impactful.

If you need to revisit the Churchill speech, do so as often as it takes until you see the same level of passion, honesty, humility, clarity and cadence in your own speech.

When you've finished practicing and/or rewatching the clip, select successful.

How do you want your listeners to feel after hearing your speech?

Focus on that, and your confidence, passion, humility, honesty, clarity and cadence will follow.

How much has your confidence grown since starting these steps on a scale of 1 (nope not happening) to 10 (I got this)?

It's a speech that reflects your passion.

Go for it!