Speech Creation Lessons From My Mom

Sep 30, 2017 | Connect with Every Audience, Public Speaking Tips, Speech Writing, Stand OUT! Speaking Tip, Write a Meaningful & Memorable Message | 0 comments

Speech Lessons From a Jigsaw Puzzle

When I was a kid, my Mom and I enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles.

What My Mom Taught Me About Creating a Speech

We’d open the box, and dump the 500 pieces all over the kitchen table, and go to work.

It is a cherished memory. Little did I know at the time that Mom was laying a foundation for how I would create speeches later in life.

She was an excellent teacher. Being young and impulsive, I wanted to start putting any part of the puzzle together, just so we’d get going.

Mom helped me discover the value of creating a plan. This started with the picture on the box. It was always present to serve as our guidepost.

One of us would gather the edge pieces.

The other would create different piles of pieces that had the same colors or patterns.

We then put together the outline.

Following that, we’d each work on a specific pile.

Section-by-section, a mess of pieces began to take shape.

The picture on the box was an important part of the process. This guidepost kept us focused on the big picture. It saved us time. We could refer to it to ensure we weren’t wasting time putting incorrect pieces together.

Working together, with a plan, we created beautiful pictures. And we did it in a reasonable amount of time.

What does this have to do with speaking?

A process for speech creation

It’s a terrific model for writing your speeches.

As you craft your presentations, do you have a process?

Or, are you like I was, the over-eager kid?

Do you want to get going, putting pieces together in haphazard fashion?

When most people write their speeches, they start at the beginning. They create an opening, then they might add their foundational concept.

Then they throw in a few points. They may also add data, statistics, or a story or two.

Finally, they add a conclusion. This is usually a question-and-answer period.

Is this bad, or wrong?

No, but it is not an efficient way to create a memorable and impactful presentation.

A more efficient method of speech creation

A better way is mom’s jigsaw puzzle process:

Start with the ‘picture on the box.’ What’s your objective, your ‘foundational idea?’

Then, create your outline, like we did it with the edges of the puzzle.

Add your supporting points for your foundational concept.

Next, determine how you’re going to support those points. Use a mixture of stories, activities, acronyms, and analogies.

Now, it’s time to create your opening. Make sure it orients your audience to your foundational concept.

Then, craft your conclusion. Use this to summarize your message. For lasting impact, avoid closing on Questions and Answers.

Lastly, include transitions. Ensure that one thought or idea flows smoothly into the next.

One of my speaking coaches, Craig Valentine, says that “a message is a mess with age.” Without a picture on the box, or a plan of action, a jigsaw puzzle is a mess that will take ages to complete.

If you want to efficiently put it together, it helps to have a plan like the one my mom taught.

When you follow the method outlined above, you’ll save time and energy.

You will also be spared a tremendous amount of frustration.

Thanks mom! Neither of us could’ve known the long-term lesson you were teaching me back then. I appreciate you influencing a terrific method of speech creation.

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Speech Creation Lessons From My Mom ultima modifica: 2017-09-30T11:30:00-04:00 da Michael Davis

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"Michael transformed our everyday managers into conference presenters by coaching them and by challenging the traditional methods they were using to present. The outcome was phenomenal.

Our conference was elevated to a new level of professionalism. Michael will be retained to help make our trainers become better communicators, both visually and verbally and to assist us with next year’s conference. We highly recommend him and Speaking CPR to assist with your next event."

Robert Gerbus, President, Trans Ash, Inc.

Speaking CPR

2018-05-10T09:44:06-04:00

Robert Gerbus, President, Trans Ash, Inc.

"Michael transformed our everyday managers into conference presenters by coaching them and by challenging the traditional methods they were using to present. The outcome was phenomenal. Our conference was elevated to a new level of professionalism. Michael will be retained to help make our trainers become better communicators, both visually and verbally and to assist us with next year’s conference. We highly recommend him and Speaking CPR to assist with your next event."

https://speakingcpr.com/testimonials/robert-gerbus/

“As a former Green Beret and professional storyteller, I give dozens of speeches every year. I am very selective about who trains me.

Michael Davis exceeded every expectation and was one of the best coaches I ever worked with. His quiet professionalism, and unsurpassed knowledge of storytelling helped make my Ted X Cincinnati talk extremely powerful.
I would recommend Michael, as a story and speaking coach to anyone with a high stakes talk to give. Michael will help you take your speech from good to great!”

LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann, Green Beret, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, Author

Speaking CPR

2018-05-10T09:45:38-04:00

LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann, Green Beret, Storyteller, Trainer, Coach, Author

“As a former Green Beret and professional storyteller, I give dozens of speeches every year. I am very selective about who trains me. Michael Davis exceeded every expectation and was one of the best coaches I ever worked with. His quiet professionalism, and unsurpassed knowledge of storytelling helped make my Ted X Cincinnati talk extremely powerful. I would recommend Michael, as a story and speaking coach to anyone with a high stakes talk to give. Michael will help you take your speech from good to great!”

https://speakingcpr.com/testimonials/ltc-ret-scott-mann/

“We are privileged to have Michael Davis of Speaking CPR as one of the Speaker Coaches for our TED x Cincinnati event. I had the opportunity to be on several of the calls with Michael as he worked his craft with his speakers. I was impressed with how genuine, exuberant, and in touch he was with each speaker.

He truly has a gift in connecting with the heart of each person he works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk. All of the speakers raved about his work with them. Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”

Allison Wonders Gars
Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati

Speaking CPR

2018-03-20T17:08:04-04:00

Allison Wonders Gars
Speaker Coach Manager, TED x Cincinnati

“We are privileged to have Michael Davis of Speaking CPR as one of the Speaker Coaches for our TED x Cincinnati event. I had the opportunity to be on several of the calls with Michael as he worked his craft with his speakers. I was impressed with how genuine, exuberant, and in touch he was with each speaker. He truly has a gift in connecting with the heart of each person he works with and helping them to unleash their story into their talk. All of the speakers raved about his work with them. Each of them has had broad experience in speaking, but they all felt that working with Michael raised the bar on their ability to speak. You can listen to all of his speakers, Anthony Munoz, Richard Bernstein and Graeme Joffe, at http://www.tedxcincinnati.com/talks/.”

https://speakingcpr.com/testimonials/allison-wonders-gars/

“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss.

Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money.

I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”

Natalie Holder
Founder, QUEST Diversity

Speaking CPR

2018-03-20T17:33:18-04:00

Natalie Holder
Founder, QUEST Diversity

“Investing in Michael is one of the best investments I have ever made. I speak on the subject of diversity in the workplace, which can at times be a difficult topic to discuss. Michael taught me a repeatable process that allows me to create a foundational concept, a logical structure, an opening that grabs the audience’s attention, and a conclusion that encourages my audience to take action that will save them time and money. I found Michael easy to work with, flexible with his schedule, and a wealth of information about the art of speaking. If you need to improve your presentation or speech, I highly recommend you consider hiring Michael. It is one of the best investments you can make in your own growth.”

https://speakingcpr.com/testimonials/natalie-holder/

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