Audience Speakers Public Liven People Members Introducing Speech

Good "public speakers" (people who give speeches) know not only what they're talking about and how to present it clearly, but also how to "capture" (get; catch) their audience's attention and keep the listeners interested throughout the speech, no matter how long it is. Public speakers use many different "techniques" (ways of doing something) to "liven up" (make more interesting) their speeches, depending on the audience and the "setting" (where something happens, under what conditions, and in what environment).

Many public speakers try to liven up their speeches by telling "anecdotes" (short, funny stories) or "inspirational stories" (stories about people who did very difficult things, making other people admire them). For example, a speech about alcoholism might include an inspirational story about someone who "overcame" (won; beat) alcoholism "against all odds" (in a very difficult, seemingly impossible situation). Other public speakers tell "jokes" (funny stories), especially at the beginning of their speech, to try to get the audience members to laugh.

Other public speakers try to keep the audience "engaged" (involved) by "encouraging" (helping something to happen) audience participation. They might encourage the audience members to "speak up" (say something aloud) when they have a question, or they might ask the audience questions and wait for audience members to shout the answers.

Using "visual aids" (things for people to look at that support one's message) is another way to liven up a speech. Sometimes speakers bring "props" (physical objects) or "posters" (large pieces of paper) related to their main ideas. More and more often, speakers are making "multimedia presentations" that use many tools, including slide presentations, photographs, usic, video, and more.

Most audiences "appreciate" (like and are thankful for) speakers' efforts to liven up their speeches, as long as the techniques don't "detract" (reduce the value) from the main message.