|
6. What would you recommend that
a contestant do in case another contestant speaking before
him/her uses the same quote or story he/she prepared for
his/her speech? |
Dilip Abayasekara: First of all, when
preparing your speech, try to use stories that are original to
you. That should eliminate or at least greatly reduce this
problem of redundancy. With quotes, it is not that easy to
eliminate that possibility. In such a case, I recommend that
you have an alternate quote ready should your planned quote be
used by a previous speaker. However, if the previous speaker
used "your" quote in a weak manner or in a different context
from the one you have been planning to use, you might be in a
position to not only use that quote, but also show your
ability to be flexible by acknowledging the previous speaker’s
mention of the quote, and then shining the light of your
originality by interpreting it in your unique way!
David Brooks: Having the poise to
acknowledge it and then put your spin on it counts a lot. To
ignore the previous reference shows inflexibility; to address
it shows maturity. Fortunately, this never happened to me, so
my observations, admittedly, are purely hypothetical.
Mark Brown: In the 1994 finals, I used
subject matter and a phrase that Speaker # 8, Hans Lillejord,
had planned to use as well. When he got to it, he said, "Mark
has already referred to it." That approach worked well for
him. I didn’t place. He finished 2nd.
David Nottage: Turn it into their
advantage... if someone used a quote that I was going to use
such as, "Far greater it is to dare mighty deeds then to take
stock with those weak and timid spirits that know neither
victory not defeat" (Theodore Roosevelt) I would say in my
speech at the appropriate t time, "I was fascinated to hear my
fellow contestant quote President Theodore Roosevelt, "Far
greater..." I believe that that quote even more so applies to
the very crux of my message..." etc. The purpose being to make
it sound like you've picked up on the previous speaker and as
an impromptu, you've quoted him/her.
Brett Rutledge: I have never actually been
faced with this problem but the approach would probably be to
look as though you had just found the previous speaker's
quotation superbly appropriate to your own subject and
spontaneously decided to borrow it (with due deference to the
previous speaker, of course).
V.J. Smith: I've always been impressed when
the second speaker says, "As Mark already mentioned..."
Bruce Trippet: If you are flexible enough
refer to the material/contestant before you. Audiences like
speakers who are flexible and can adapt to the current
speaking environment.
|
7. Do you think "special effects"
like singing, huge props or audience participation makes a
significant impact on the outcome of the contest? Why or
why not? |
Dilip Abayasekara: The above special effects
have been used by a few previous International Speech Contest
winners, but they also have not been used by many winners
while others in the contest used them. I don't think that they
are essential. It would be nice if they "fit" in the speech,
but I don't think they should be "forced" into a speech for
effect.
David Brooks: If not significant,
at least perceptible. In the finals, for example, you will be
one of the best nine speakers in the organization that year.
Therefore, you can expect that all of them will be good. Your
task then becomes to be good and memorable. If nine are
excellent, but one stands out, who do you think has an edge?
Mark Brown: Singing worked for Doon Wilkins
in 1992. He finished 2nd. It worked for me in 1995
when I won. Props worked for Morgan McArthur '93 when he came
2nd, and again in '94 when he won. Audience
participation worked for my mentor, "The Master Mentor," David
Brooks, in 1990 when he won. If it is essential to the speech
but not the center of the speech, it can be a great tool. The
speech is more important. The prop, like the humor and drama
should support the speech, and not the other way around.
David Nottage: Hmmmmm yes and no. I believe
one of the greatest skills of public speaking is the ability
to get into the heads and the hearts of the audience with
nothing more than the voice. I'm not a big fan of such things
although I will occasionally add a small prop if I think it
will help me look funnier (sillier). Apart from that, it's not
my cup of tea. I have seen some use them very well but I've
seen more use them poorly. I guess if you are going to use
props or audience participation etc then just make sure that
it adds to your over all effectiveness and that you haven't
added it in because some World Champion did it last year.
Brett Rutledge: Special effects done well
and with a purpose can be very effective in a speech. However,
they are seldom done well or indeed have a purpose beyond
trying to be clever. Any prop, if employed, must naturally
enhance the central message and be an equally natural
occurrence in terms of the flow of ideas and the structure of
the speech. Too often they are used as a gimmick with no
logical connection to the body of the speech. As I mentioned
earlier I believe an audience likes to see a speaker who is
both genuine and natural - if props or special effects hinder
this then don't use them.
V.J. Smith: No. Just look at the history of
the contest. Also, props can get you burned.
Bruce Trippet: There are no guarantees. Just
make sure that they don't overwhelm the message. Remember that
the speaker is the best prop that he/she has. PS If you sing,
you better be very good!
|
8. From your experience, what
have you learned NOT TO DO when participating in the
International Speech Contest? |
Dilip Abayasekara: 1) Don't focus on winning
but focus on giving the audience a blessing.
2) Don't focus on beating any other speaker, but focus on
being the best that you can be.
3) Don't focus on being perfect, but focus on your message,
your audience, and on enjoying the moment.
4) Don't hang around negative people or distractions, but stay
focused on your mission as a speaker.
5) Don't eat crackers or cookies or drink soda pop before a
contest, but avoid starvation and drink only water!
David Brooks: 1) Don't try to
please everyone; it has not and cannot be done. 2) Don't let
the clock be your enemy.
Mark Brown: Do not be "some other famous
speaker." Like Zig Ziglar, Les Brown or Tony Robbins.
David Nottage: I've learnt not to try to make
the audience follow me... rather, I should lead them. This
relates more so to the topic. I tried in 1992 to make the
audience "think" about mercy killing and I tried to make them
wrestle with their own minds and beliefs... and it worked.
They were emotional drained and tired after my speech in the
regional final... in which I came third. I didn't win because
the audience, although impressed, were forced to follow where
I was taking them. In 1996, I took them where they wanted to
go.. so they enjoyed the ride.
Brett Rutledge: Do not
underestimate or belittle your audience. Much like the analogy
with art, an audience may not know much about public speaking
but they do know what they like and they should be respected
for it. Too many speakers believe their own publicity and
begin to think that the audience is there for them. The truth
is the speaker is there for the audience. In my experience the
audience knows the difference and reacts accordingly.
V.J. Smith: Listen to too many people. Keep
your "cabinet" to a minimum.
Bruce Trippet: Don't worry about the other
contestants. You are really competing against yourself.
Whether you win the trophy or not, if you give the speech the
best that you can, you walk away a winner.
|
9. To what do you attribute your
success in the International Speech Contest? |
|
