President's
Tip of the Week
Ideas
for Project #4: How to Say It
(10/06/08)
In
writing a memorable speech, word choice is critical. Project 4 in the CC manual
focuses on developing this skill, which should then be used in all your future
speeches. Here is Andrew Dlugan's take on how to choose a topic for project 4.
"1.
Choose Descriptive or Story-based Topics
"Any topic can work, but
to flex your speechwriting muscles, choose a topic which lends itself to vivid
descriptions. Speeches based around stories or experiences will challenge you
to select words and phrases to transport your audience from their chairs to the
setting where your speech takes place.
"2. Use Sensory
Language
"Make your audience see what you see, feel what you feel,
taste what you taste, smell what you smell, and hear what you hear. In short,
draw upon all five senses to create a completely immersive description. Transport
your audience to a movie theatre by describing:
Sight: the
dizzying special effects of the martial arts scene
Smell: the wafting aroma
of buttered popcorn
Sound: the booming surround-sound effects which made you
jump from your seat
Taste: the sweet licorice Twizzlers which melt in your
mouth
Touch: the claustrophobic squeeze of your knees pressed into the seatback
in front of you
"3. Use Repetition Wisely
"Repetition
of phrases throughout a paragraph, and repetition of sentences throughout your
speech make your speech memorable. Wrap your speech around a signature phrase.
Read
the entire article by Andrew
Dlugan.
