Effective Public Speaking

Here are a few rules for speaking and even fewer for giving a speech on the issue of money and politics.

See Sample Raps and Talking Points for models for speaking to classes, other student organizations, community groups, high schools – anywhere you can get the word out!

Rules for effective speaking:

1. Prepare – know your subject and your audience
2. Try the talk out on someone else
3. Don’t read your talk – use notes
4. Talk slowly
5. Talk loudly and with enthusiasm
6. Make eye contact with your audience
7. Make only a VERY few points
8. Give examples for these points
9. Leave plenty of time for questions and interaction
10. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know something (and will get back to the questioner later)
11. Pretend you are speaking to a friend- make a joke!

Rules for speaking on money and politics:

General:

1. The goal is to get people excited about being able to make change and make a difference in something important.

2. Don’t try to get into the details of campaign financing and campaign finance reform – boring to most people.

3. Talk about things that everyone believes in like democracy, justice, and social change.

Specific:

1. Talk briefly about “The Problem” (why are you upset; why should your audience should be upset; give one or two examples to illustrate the problem; choose examples that your audience can relate to, e.g. environment, education, etc).

2. Talk about “The Solution” (how could this problem be solved; what kind of Clean Money/Public Financing would work; how that would create a better world; give examples from Maine or Arizona).

3. Talk about “The Action” (what you personally are doing to get to the solution and why you got involved; what others are doing; what is the role of the audience; how can they help; why should they get involved; what two specific things you want them to do after this talk).

4. Throughout the talk, try to make it interactive: ask questions (that people can answer) to involve them in the discussion.

5. Ask members of the audience to answer questions that are raised by others.

6. Tell them where they can find out more: organizations and websites.