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Why is PIZZAZZ important?

PIZZAZZ helps. According to the dictionary, Pizzazz means vigour and style, the qualities exemplified by outstanding speakers.

Today, more than ever before, we are inundated with information. This is not a news flash. It is, however, a reminder . . . a reminder that your message, no matter how important, is competing for space in your listeners' attention span.

You may not care how carefully your doctor chooses words or how dynamic he or she is telling you you are going to recover from a serious disease. Let that same person, however, tell you why doctors need a pay raise; and, the message had better have a well crafted language and be enthusiastic in delivery.

Combine the tidal wave of information with poor listening habits, and you understand the challenge you face as a presenter.

So, whether you want to knock your listeners' socks off, convince them to take action, impress your boss or colleagues, or, just keep on doing the job you enjoy, you and your message must be heard through the din.

Sound like a lot of work?

Maybe the first few times you try it. But, this is where the PIZZAZZ of SpeechGems.com comes to your aid. (No, we don't totally write it for you -- that's in Special Services); but, we do provide you with all kinds of techniques and examples to ease you into truly professional presentations.

You will save time and impress even yourself.

What's Inside?

SpeechGems.com PIZZAZZ section is formulated into two basic categories:

• Impact Ideas : Living Language
• Choreography

The language section gives you broad techniques, with examples, for developing more descriptive wordings; adding punch through sentence constructions, and replacing all those worn out words and phrases you may have used as crutches for your presentions. You will also find specific techniques such alliteration (also in the demo below), and, repetition to create an impact .

Choreography, on the other hand, covers all aspects of:
...hand and body gestures
...eye contact
...prop use
...audience dynamics
...fundamental A/V approaches.

In all cases, emphasis is on effective usage rather than how-to, which is covered in Coach's Corner. Each section is filled with actual examples and suggestions for including them in your presentation.

What's Available Right Here? To Use Right Now?

From the on site files, we've selected

• a quick tip on A/V use,
• an introduction to choreography,
• an introduction to more picturesque language and
• the discussion on alliteration

SAMPLES

Description:
Painting pictures with words: that is just what we mean by "picturesque" language. "Sounds good," you say, "but how do I do that?" To get started, scroll down for a few examples and a couple of exercises to get you thinking.

Examples:

Painting word pictures is what this section is all about. Let's start with a few words. Try a few examples.

First, let's check out some phrases:

"smart card"

"swing lock report cover"

"ambient temperature"

"as dark as ebony"

"voluminous file"

"a braying neighbor"

"incandescent idea".

While any specifically descriptive adjective works well, often, the most effective phrases come from combining an item with a word which normally describes something else...our braying neighbor, for instance.

Alliteration

From the time we are children, alliteration brings us enjoyment. We happily chant the tongue twisting,

"She sells sea shells by the sea shore",

or challenge friends to a rapid rendition of,

"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers".

And all these years later, we remember them.

Why not add this memorable quality to your presentations? Discuss a problem with a solution as elusive as a "slithering snake", or, encourage your listeners to object to a "patently preposterous policy".

Then extend the technique to explain the five C's of good communication. Do you remember them from high school?

Or to the three R's of motivation:

• Recognition
• Reward and
• Reenforcement

The repeated letters offer listeners pegs on which to hang your principles . . . and to keep them in their memory long after your talk.

How could you use them in your presentations?

A/V Tip

Overheads, A/V effects are the condiments and garnish for a nourishing presentation. Slides, videos, and computer generated audio visual visuals are called AIDS.

The dictionary tells us that means they SUPPORT the presenter and the content: they do not OVERSHADOW the presenter and the content. When you deliver a presentation, you are promoting your project, policy, or product, . . . often even your own reliability as a professional. When the special effects take over, they are all the audience remembers, . . . and your presentation is a failure.

Choreography

A major percentage of your presentation's impact is visual. Your body, legs, and face, then form a major part of your talk. The face alone can express over 300,000 expressions, moods. Adding arm and hand gestures, body postures, and overall movement gives you a complete arsenal of visual cues to influence your audience.

Our main site fully covers our body language P-factors; but, the most important element to remember is consistency. Bouncing across the platform with a wide grin, while discussing environmental hazards is not consistent.

• posture,
• facial expression,
• gestures, and
• movement

Inside SpeechGems.com:

• Dozens of hand gestures to try
• Eye contact
• Movement
• Group Dynamics
• Perfecting prop use
• Effective use of A/V and computer generated aids

Try a few of the suggestions above, then, join us in the main SpeechGems.com site

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