Public Speaking Tip No. 2

You have a message that has got to get through. But living in an age where youth and young adults are a click away to a wealth of information, how do you present God’s Word so that it stands out in a student's mind instead of ending up in the pile of needless data.

Public Speaking Tip #2 The Power Phrase.

Step One: Simplify

In your scripture passage there are 5 different messages that you could address in that one little passage. In speaking to youth, be aware of how much information you are sending their way. ( ie. the number of scripture references used to support your message.) RESIST THE TEMPATION to address them all! Pick one message, one point, one focus. If you want the students to remember what you said... PICK ONE MESSAGE!

Example: Mark 4 The Parable of the Sower

There are numerous messages in this passage. Perhaps I’d do a series with it, but no matter what today I’m picking one message.

vs. 15 As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Step Two: Clarify the Main Message

What is it that you want to say to the students? To find the main message ask yourself, “When the students leave tonight what do I or what does God want them to remember.” What’s the gold they will need to hold onto that will help them prosper even when life is tough. The answer to that question becomes your main message and my speech will support that truth.

You heard from God – Don’t let Satan take that truth away.

Step Three: Finding the Power Phrase

The main message is quite wordy. You are looking for a short memorable phrase that when a parent or friend asks the student, what the message was about? They don’t reply with the typical “Umm, I don’t remember, not sure.” Give them a line to pass on to their family members and friends. It’s a sentence they can tweet or post on facebook. It’s one that they remember and end up preaching to their friends which increases your sphere of influence!

Satan...You Can’t Touch This!

Step 3: Repetition

After each point you use to support the main message repeat the power phrase. Stand up Comics, Writers and Professional Speakers abide by The Rule of Three’s for impact. Incorporate the phrase at least 3 times into your talk. Have the students repeat it. If you use it a number of times, in mid sentence they will finish the phrase for you.

i. Hammer time...Can’t Touch this.

ii. My brother said...You Can’t Touch this.

iii. Satan...You Can’t touch this!

Power Phrases are a great tool to help make the message memorable. They serve as triggers for students to call up the word of God associated with that phrase so that in a time of crisis it is engrained in their brain.

Practice finding your own Power Phrase using the passage above. Create a new message and find the Power Phrase within.

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A member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) Alison has dedicated her time to developing her gift of Public Speaking so that her listeners would believe the truth that she shares and to raise up other strong youth communicator’s in Canada. She has been speaking full time for four years and is currently enrolled in Youth Speakers University.

Speaking Tips are from Alison’s Public Speaking Enhancement Workshop for more inquires message her today. http://www.inspiringteengreatness.com