An Athletic Approach to Leadership and Life
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How to Edit a Speech: Remove One Jewel Voices of Experience, National Speakers Association © Mariah Burton Nelson I learned something about editing speeches from Coco Channel, of all people. She used to say: After getting dressed, remove one piece of jewelry. I use this technique with speeches: After planning a speech, I’ll remove one precious element I had wanted to include: a fact or a quote or even a signature story. Figuring out what to remove helps me decide what’s essential. It also creates room - for dramatic pauses, for repetition, for digressions, and for spontaneous interactions with the audience. It helps me not feel rushed. Professional speaking coach Ron Arden talks about “the stuff in between.” This is the stuff that gets left out altogether. It’s like white space. We’re all eager to share so many pearls of wisdom, but I find that it’s best to leave some of my favorite jewels at home.
Questions? Contact Mariah at Mariah@MariahBurtonNelson.com |