How can you ensure your speech is easy to understand?

The definition of "easy to understand" varies depending on who you're addressing. For example, using jargon with a group of experts can be the most efficient way to communicate complex topics. However, this approach wouldn't be suitable for a group of 5-year-olds. Interestingly, while most people naturally adapt their language to their conversation partner, they often forget this principle when on stage. The key is not to make this mistake. Always keep your audience's needs in focus and commit to conveying your ideas in a manner that resonates with them. This approach ensures clarity and understanding.

You do not have to imitate anyone, be the real YOU while conversing. You need to know your recipient well to set the tone with them, if they are professionals, set it accordingly, if they are students, go ahead accordingly. Being simple at times becomes the key to having swift communication in place.

It may seem simple, but understand your audience. Something that is relatively simple to do but helps to ensure you pitch your talk at the right level. Allowing you use or avoid technical language to good effect and use relevant examples and case studies plus references that resonate and visuals that work to support key aspects and messages. If a more international audience, consider language, are interpreters being used, is their signing. If so you will need to take care over the use of technical words, the pace of your delivery and incorporate small pauses. Also use examples that work in country, as not everything travels well. Speak to the organisers but don't solely rely on them, Do your homework.

One way to determine the purpose is not to thinking about your message but instead think about what you want the audience to think, feel, believe or do after your speech. It could be to think differently, connect with you afterwards, do something differently, feel inspired, buy from you, etc. This will ensure your speech is focused and geared towards a transformation for the audience, rather than just an information dump. As you put your content together ensure each element contributes to moving this audience from where they are (point A) to where you want them to be (point B).

My approach begins with identifying the final communication goal of the speech: the key message to resonate. This goal is my lens for selecting relevant topics, aiming for essence and coherence. A strong introduction is vital. If defining the goal is tough, try reversing the process. In radio, we'd write, then create an intriguing teaser to start. Key takeaway: Offer a compelling value proposition to engage your audience, but avoid unrealistic promises to maintain credibility.

Using simple language is most essential. For that you can keep the objective of your presentation is mind and be authentic- the way you are. Using simple daily vocabulary is one of the best ways to find a connect. Talk to the audience using language which you would use while having a conversation with them.

What happens when you listen to a speaker who uses words that you do not know or understand? If you are like most people, you will likely stop paying attention. You might check your phone for the meaning of the word. You might also ask the person next to you. For the speakers, this is an issue because their role is to deliver a clear message that the audience understands. The moment your audience struggles with words, your message gets weaker. Next time you have to prepare a talk, 1. Get to know your audience first. What is their background? Are they familiar with the topic? 2. Remove any words or abbreviations that are too technical. If possible, replace them with simpler words.

Avoid using jargon - imagine that you are speaking to a group of 5 year olds - and give lots of examples and share anecdotes to elaborate on your point clearly.

Three effective ideas for simpler, more engaging language: Shift your speech preparation to bullet points rather than fully written texts. This approach naturally leads to a more informal and lively language during rehearsals, enhancing the relatability of your delivery. Practice your speech with a colleague or friend. Engaging in eye contact during these sessions can make your language less formal and more genuine, strengthening your connection with the audience. Try a visual method: condense your speech or story into 3 to 7 key images. This strategy focuses your content on what's essential and encourages you to choose words that sound more free-flowing and natural, making your storytelling more effective and memorable.

Crafting a clear and engaging speech involves key strategies. ?? Know your audience, adapt language, and avoid jargon. ??? Establish a clear structure with introduction, body, and conclusion. Use simple language, analogies, and examples for clarity. ?? Emphasize key points through repetition and employ visual aids for enhanced understanding. ??? Engage multiple senses with vivid descriptions and encourage interaction. ?? Clarify and summarize complex ideas, testing comprehension through questions. ?? Practice in front of diverse audiences for valuable feedback, ensuring your speech is not only clear but also enjoyable and memorable. ??

Only use visual aids if they're going to enhance the meaning and understanding for the audience. Not every speech requires a slide deck or flipchart. You should be audience-centric, instead of thinking of the slide as your script or crutch. What image, key word or phrase, or number/statistic, or basic (simplified!) graph could help the audience understand this point?

Rehearsing as close to the "real thing" as possible will ensure that you find the "right" words when you need them. If you'll be standing when speaking, practice standing. If you're using a slide deck, practice with it. If you'll have a microphone pretend you have one in your hand (or attached to the lecturn or your lapel) as you rehearse. By practicing in this way you will make your sentences clearer and simpler for the audience to digest. They will then be more likely to follow the logical structure and key message or take away. You will also feel more comfortable on stage/in the board room/online, as your body thinks that you've already been there before and survived. Yay for a solid confidence-boost!

Use storytelling. I teach my clients to weave their story into their presentation. It is critical that it be relatable, ideally an every day parallel, that is free of jargon. Be sure to include humor, emotion and play to relatable pain points. Start with a few intriguing questions you intend to answer over the course of your presentation to capture their attention and then, like any good book, movie or TV show, give them just enough meat to maintain their attention and interest. Build toward your climax/conflict and do not feel the need to rush it. Taking your time allows you to gain investment in the 'characters' and the outcome.

Another fabulous way to ensure your speech is easy to understand is to use metaphors. By drawing parallels or comparisons with something everyone is familiar, you can get across complex ideas in a simple idea. Metaphors are also often visual, so make them more memorable.

The format of a Hook followed by a Beginning/Middle/End or Conflict/Climax/Resolution/Takeaways structure works really well for most speeches.

In his book, "Communicating Science Concisely", author Bruce Kirchoff challenges readers to stick to just one image, preferably one without text, for the whole presentation. I REALLY like how this causes speakers to rethink the use of slides and images. For traditional oral presentations, the aid(s) should increase message clarity, retention, and interest for your audience. If they are not serving any of those three functions, the aid(s) are not helpful to your audience. Do not let presentation aids take over the message. Get Bruce's book to understand better how to limit your oral presentations to one image.