Write A Better Speech By Practising It On A Novice

Write A Better Speech By Practising It On A Novice

If delivering a speech isn’t intimidating enough, writing one can be just as difficult. And if you’re dealing with a complex topic, it might be hard to gauge whether or not you’ve simplified that topic enough for people to understand it. One way to make sure you have is to practise that speech on a novice.

Photo by bohed.

This tip doesn’t just apply to speeches; it can apply to writing, too. I sort of do this when I write about boring, confusing topics like investing. It’s easy to get my head stuck in the jargon and the research, so I’ll read my draft to a friend who knows nothing about the topic, just to make sure I’m explaining it in an accessible way.

The Muse suggests something similar: reciting your speech to a child.

This exercise is all about conveying your business idea in as few terms and as simply as possible. Children have far less experience in the real world than adults and need ideas simplified for them — meaning you have to remove all those fancy-sounding buzzwords and fluff sentences. The twist is that even though you’ll simplify your pitch, you’ll actually end up with one that carries more meaning. Use this to get used to using simple, concise phrases.

A child might be a little too novice, but you get the idea. To make sure you’re not going over people’s heads, practise your speech on someone who has no idea what you’re talking about. They will point out areas that might need a bit more clarification.

You can read more about this tactic at the link below.

7 Simple Exercises That will Up Your Public Speaking Game [The Muse]


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