This isn't a large question. Because of the users we have here, I think we could all benefit from short sharp tips to edit our own words.
In this topic, can you provide advice on how to curate yourself when you throw words in speech and on 'paper'.
Links to 'speechcraft' sources are appreciated.
I'll start:
- Take a second to think about how someone else would hear your words if they were you. (rule 0)
- Curate and cut your words before you throw them.
- "Brevity is the soul of wit" - Hamlet - Shakespeare.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
Speak to your audience, not just your subject matter. Additionally, never blame your audience for not understanding your point.
A lot of (good) advice is spent on the importance of brevity, but not as much on what to abbreviate to.
This leads to people shortening their [huge list of extensive background material and supporting argument] to [things], which in turn often leads to speakers focusing on [summarizing the things] rather than [the implication of things]. Worse, people often abbreviate to [things[that are interesting to them]] as opposed to [things[that are important to the audience]].
It is your job- as the speaker- to communicate what they need. If they already knew it, you wouldn't be wasting everyone's time saying it.
Distilling information is critical, but so is packaging it in ways the audience will understand.
Sometimes you need to distill the same mass of information into points suitable for highly knowledgeable subject matter experts, and then take the same information and distill it for people with no technical expertise but general familiarity. Sometimes you need to do it yet again for people who are so unfamiliar they might as well be high schoolers. Entire lines of argument or categories of information may be worse than useless depending on the audience, but counterproductive by confusing them or giving them wrong impressions.
It is, in turn, your job- as the speaker- to know your audience, and how to communicate to them. If they knew what you meant, and not what you said, you wouldn't be wasting everyone's time by saying it.
More options
Context Copy link