Too Formulaic!

Bo, you are right on! I don't think Darren, Dave or Vikas' used a loveone lost in a Air Balloon accident and yet look what they achieved!! It would be interesting to see how many of the recent Champ's didn't have a tragedy in their speech. Don. S. 

In 2006, nobody died in the Top 3 speeches, though 2nd and 3rd did have what might be considered overacted openings. Ed's winning speech proved more humorous than emotional.

In 2005, nobody died in Lance's speech - in fact in was very uplifting with nary a tear in sight.

In 2004, Randy's parents both died, but the story was more about their life than their deaths.

In giving a speech on "The Big Stage", there is a significant struggle between giving what
is expected and giving something new. With so much at stake, trying something new is a fear-inducing proposition. But it is also apparent the formula will be identified quickly, and
points subconsciously docked.

I believe that for success, the speech ultimately must contain a message the speaker
desperately wants to give, and would give it just as well without the audience or trophy
hanging in the balance.

Great post, Bo. Since I didn't see the contest, I can't really comment but I have to say the worst thing that I see in speech contest speeches is this formula: 

1. Paint a picture about someone who has some sort of challenge or obstacle.

2. Explain how that person triumphed over the obstacle.

3. Start the conclusion with something like "I was that boy|girl|person|etc..."

4. End with something inspirational.

I just find this tacky – it’s too cliché.

 Personally, I'm not a fan over acting (and I think most of the time, it's due to nerves and not intentional). I feel that it does damage to the speaking industry because people who aren't into public speaking get turned off by it. As someone who teaches public speaking, I'm sure my students would run for the door if I exaggerated all my gestures and vocal variety. 

Speakers should try to be more natural in a non-verbal sense - Robert Kiyosaki is excellent at this.  

BTW,I think it's great that Vikas won - Congratulations if you're reading this Vikas!

James

Website: http://www.jamesfeudo.com

Blog: http://blog.jvf.com

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Hi Bo and All others -

May I let you know that at one point Vika's speech DID have a part where someone died -  in fact when he delievered it at Darren's Champ Coaching Event in Rhode Island this July 07 - I offered this feedback - "careful that this speech doesn;t sound too similar to POST CARD "- the speech he used at Region Vii and won (about his uncle who died) because there will be Region Vii judges there and they too may think it sounds similar - 

But the good news is with that little cut of a speech with a death in it - which wasn;t really necessary to the overall message of the "THE SWAMI'S QUESTION" perhaps gave him an edge to his message because he didn;t rely on the suffering and tears.  He let the message be the message - WHO ARE YOU? 

My point is that it is about content and Vikas had to make changes and cuts to fine tune his speech - but I agree gentlemen and others - WCPS should be fun to listen to TOO! Why can;t speeches inspire and enlighten with a smile instead of with a TEAR?

        
                                                  © 2007 Angie Flinn, all rights reserved

Thanks Sherri Raftery

http://sherriraftery.blogspot.com/

http://talkingtoastmasters.blogspot.com/

I'm with you there brother. I thought it was just me seeing that approach. I was happy to see Vikas win the contest. I have seen Vikas speak several times and always enjoyed what he had to say. I didn't always like the way he presented his speeches but he got it right when it counted. Good for him.

                                Jef

This year I counted two deaths and two near deaths.

It can become a little too much of a formula, and the emotional impact of the "real-life" experience of loosing somebody becomes a bit jaded I think - "oh no, not another one..."

Craig

Hmm - don't think I overacted, but maybe. Two stories with a fair amount of humor. Did tie it in with dreams. Didn't kill anyone...just severed a limb.

Ah well, someday I'll get it right.

Rich!

You did great - remember you were the first one up - so you set the bar.  I thought you tied your leg into your message very well.

LaShunda spoke about Lupus and she won.  Katherine didn;t have any ailments - and she came in third - who knows what the judges are looking for - (oh ask Craig!) hha

We'll see you on the big stage again Rich - Keep going!

Sherri

www.findyourplatform.com

Skype :  sherri.raftery

I've had this discussion many a time with contestants.  Most of the time we are always surprised with the outcome of the contests.

Personally, I believe that the winners are those that develop their speeches based on the criteria outlined on the judging ballots.  

I've yet to try that strategy, though.