Make 'em Wonder

I'm pretty sure that most of my students and readers know that when I'm speaking in public I try to push the limits - most of the time - to make sure my audience is staying awake.

It should be no surprise to you then in this article from my public speaking course that I will attack another common old style snoozer technique (and I know I will get letters from educational theory folks, but that is OK) . . . that is, telling the people in the audience what you are going to cover during your presentation.

I say let 'em figure it out as you go.

If they think they know where you are going during a speaking engagement, then it is easy for them to 'zone out' since they 'think' they know what you are going to say.

The way I do it is to make them wonder, 'What in the heck is he going to do next?,' which forces them to stay alert to find out.

If they are asleep, and the canvass of their mind is rolled up, it will be next to impossible for you to use what you learned in your public speaking course and paint in their mind your wonderful word picture. Make 'em wake up, and Make 'em wonder at your words!

Back to Articles