Monthly Archives: March 2012

Spontaneity Personified: The Ad Lib

Posted on by

What to say when the lights go out, or when the microphone starts popping, or when the dishes go crashing in the kitchen next door are all situations we do not prepare for when getting ready to speak. We do not prepare for getting tongue-tied, either, during a presentation, yet when something goes awry, having the right word can save the moment and increase credibility for a speaker. That is the ad lib.

The ad lib is important in many communication situations, but never more important than in public speaking situations. The right word can keep the momentum of the presentation going, and the wrong word or no words can destroy the connection between speaker and audience.

Although the ad lib literally means “at one’s pleasure,” and implies speaking without forethought, the best way to have words that appear to be ad libs is to prepare ahead of time. Consider all the possible things that might go wrong during a presentation and compose a comment that you might use when that unexpected situation occurs. The audience will love it.

Here are some examples that you might use for your next speaking emergency. If you have a tendency to get tongue-tied, say, “I just got my teeth fixed and now my tongue won’t work.”

When my projector kept vibrating because the hotel’s heating system was shaking the floor and my slides were impossible to focus clearly, I said, “This the first time my equipment is more nervous than I am.”

Be careful in your choice of remarks that you aren’t too caustic. Once when someone came in late, the speaker said, “Could I get you something—a snack, a pencil, a watch?”

When the microphone starts making weird sounds, you might say, “Obviously someone in the control room has heard me before.”

Terry Paul uses this one for any distracting situation: “This life is a test. It is only a test. If it had been a real life, I would have been given instructions on where to go and what to do.”

Here are some tips on how to use the ad lib, whatever you choose to say.

  • Pause before you say anything. This gives you time to think and to set the tone for whatever you say.
  • Use facial expressions that show you are in fun.
  • If you say something that is truly spontaneous and it works, write the comment down afterward so you can remember to use it again.

One of the most memorable ad lib lines ever occurred in the movie When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal ad libbed it in rehearsal, and it was quickly written into the script. At the conclusion of the famous faked orgasm by Meg Ryan, the nearby customer at the restaurant says to the server, “I’ll have what she is having.”

Operation Preparation

Posted on by

I had a delightful experience recently—participating in a career day, “Operation Preparation,” for Grant County, Kentucky, eighth graders. I was part of a panel of educators who talked to four groups of students interested in becoming teachers.

I enjoyed the experience especially because my wife, a retired elementary school teacher, was on the program with me, as were a librarian, a retired principal, and a career counselor. I represented the university system. We all gave short talks on the preparation for a career in education and answered student questions.

This experience reminded me of what is more important in preparing for college or a professional school than just your prior education. Here is some of the advice I gave them.

Probably most important is to research occupations that will be in demand when you expect to graduate from college. I agonize for students who major in history, psychology, or other liberal arts majors. These majors are interesting, but finding a job will be very difficult. On the other hand, with the aging population increasing dramatically, any career that deals with senior citizens will probably be in demand.

Develop good study habits. Self-discipline will be critical. Learn to set aside time for study, even if you are not in school currently. Becoming a lifelong student is vital in any career.

Network whenever possible. Talk to people who are successful in the career that you are considering. Ask their advice on how to prepare for that career. Join groups that can provide helpful information.

Those of us who are older have a responsibility to train those who are young; you don’t have to be a parent to do that. Talk to the eighth graders—or seniors—you know about their life goals and offer suggestions based on your experience. Your advice could be invaluable to them.

As Francois de La Rochefoucauld said, “Good advice is something a man gives when he is too old to set a bad example.“

 

Stephen D. Boyd, Ph.D., CSP, is Professor Emeritus of Speech Communication, College of Informatics, Northern Kentucky University, near Cincinnati. He presents keynotes and seminars to corporations and associations whose people want to speak and listen effectively. See additional articles and resources at www.sboyd.com. To book Steve, call 800-727-6520 or email him through his website.

 

A Catchy Title

Posted on by

I sometimes read the index of “Vital Speeches” just to look at speech titles. I find that if a speech has an unusual or humorous title, the speech is of better quality. I look at book titles and indexes for the same reason. This is simply my own intuitive response; I have no data to prove this.

Let me explain. I have always asked my students to give their speeches titles when they submit outlines to me before they speak. In listening to thousands of speeches, a catchy title more often than not was the beginning of a well-thought-out and engaging presentation.

In fact there have been times when I think of a title before I have the main thought in preparing the speech. I find that a title will give me ideas for the introduction and a theme I may use in deliering the speech. If nothing else, pondering a clever and relevant title will get the creative juices flowing for preparing my presentation.

There are a variety of ways to find the appropriate title. One is to examine the stories you might include. I have a speech entitled “Practicing Short Leaps” which is about motivating yourself; the little things you do make you get the most out of your day. I tell the story of a man who is on an African safari and on his way back to camp spots a huge lion just a short distance away. The lion sees him and prepares to leap at the man. At the same time, the man raises his gun to shoot. The lion leaps and the hunter shoots. Neither hits his target; the man escapes and returns to camp.

He realizes how close he came to dying so he decides to work on his marksman skills and is out behind the camp the next morning practicing. As he is shooting, he hears some rustling in the bushes. He looks and here is the same lion practicing short leaps. Seeing this title on the program, I believe, gives me better attention at the start of my speech because the audience wants to know what the short leaps are.

Another way to choose a title might be an exercise or some activity you may have the audience participate in during your speech. In my popular speech, “High Bid,” the thesis is that we sell ourselves each day to others by the way we speak and listen. I use an auctioneer’s chant at different times during the presentation and as part of my conclusion I actually have an auction where I auction off a uniquely painted hummingbird welcome sign to hang at the purchaser’s home. The victorious bidder donates his or her high bid money to a favorite charity. I make the connection between the potential of the hummingbird and each of us and conclude the speech.

Another way to choose a title is by a play on words. One of my most requested speeches is entitled “Be Present When You Are Present.” This presentation is about paying careful attention and the dangers of multi-tasking. An underlying principle is that if you are going to be a part of a meeting or a conversation, really be there. Don’t allow distractions such as cell phones or texting, but be single-minded with whatever the purpose of the activity or event might be. Be really present.

Certainly the title is not as important as other elements of a successful presentation such as organization, delivery, excellent main points, and engaging supporting material. But the great title will give you a competitive edge in the market place against the dull and uninteresting titles you find with many speeches.

Stephen D. Boyd, Ph.D., CSP, is Professor Emeritus of Speech Communication, College of Informatics, Northern Kentucky University, near Cincinnati. He presents keynotes and seminars to corporations and associations whose people want to speak and listen effectively. See additional articles and resources at www.sboyd.com. To book Steve, call 800-727-6520 or email him through his website.