The Media Coach 22nd May 2024

Speaking Tip of the week - The Argumentative Baseline

It's very important that you start from the same place as the audience when you begin your speech.

That's known as establishing The Argumentative Baseline - the point at which no-one in the audience questions the assertions that lie behind your argument.

Of course, you need to make sure that your baseline is relevant to your speech, not just a device to get the audience on your side. Also, it should not be so bland that it's not a good starting point.

So how do you formulate your argumentative baseline?

Consider the topic of your speech, and the message you wish to deliver. The baseline is not the message, but a point from which you can create a logical argument that ends in your message.

The baseline should not only be true, but should be something that the audience cares about and believes. It may be different for speeches on the same topic to different audiences.

Suppose you were delivering a speech about ways of reducing violent crime, Your baseline might be "Violent crime is on the rise, and that's an issue we are all concerned about". Of course, you'll have checked your fact about rising crime, but you're on pretty safe ground to say that we're all concerned about it. You can then go on to develop an argument about how you would tackle the issue. If you don't have an argumentative baseline, you may have lost some of the audience as you begin. Don't take that risk. Play from the baseline.

Media Tip of the week - Hold the Line

Media interviews can be stressful especially with a skilled and seasoned interviewer.

Your job is to answer the questions while ensuring that your message gets across. It's unusual (unless you're a politician) to meet an aggressive interviewer, but you may find. that the interview goes off in a direction that you didn't intend.

You need to hold the line that you had planned in your interview preparation, and to brinre the interview, be very clear what your message is

• Plan several different forms of words to deliver the same message
• State your message very clearly in your first answer
• Don't distract the interviewer with phrases like "there are some other issues too". Stay on point.
• Don't allow yourself to become distracted by talking about a different issue
• If you do go off-topic, return to it with a phrase like "But the key point here is..."
• Repeat your message in your last answer.

Social Media Tip of the week - Be more Kenny.

The late singer Kenny Rogers used to have a song called The Gambler. The hook went like this:?

"You've got to know when to hold 'em

Know when to fold 'em

Know when to walk away

And know when to run?..."???

I don't know whether Kenny was a user of social media before his death in 2020, but his song represents terrific social media advice in my view.

Social media can be addictive, and the desire to respond to someone, especially if we disagree with them, can be very strong.

But Kenny wouldn't have taken part in every debate. Sometimes he would simply fold his cards and walk away. There may be some satisfaction to be gained by besting an opponent in an online debate, but there's very little benefit in it.

So the next time you're tempted to charge into an online debate, think about Kenny. And maybe just walk away.