Reason, Season, Lifetime...

Are You a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime?

People always come into your life

for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime.

When you figure out which it is,

you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed

outwardly or inwardly.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty,

or to provide you with guidance and support,

to aid you physically, emotionally, or even spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend to you, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part

or at an inconvenient time,

this person will say or do something

to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.

Sometimes they just walk away.

Sometimes they act up or out

and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met,

our desire fulfilled; their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered

and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON,

it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.

They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

And like Spring turns to Summer and Summer to Fall,

the season eventually ends.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;

those things you must build upon

in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson,

love the person/people (anyway);

and put what you have learned to use

in all other relationships and areas in your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

(author unknown...)

Thank you for being part of my life.

Never Doubt...

8 Keys... Q/A...

8 Keys to an Effective Q&A (Questions and Answers) Session

(By Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking)

Key 1: Set expectations as to how many questions you will take or how long you will entertain questions. For example, I usually say, “We’ll take 4 or 5 questions and then I’ll wrap up the message.” Or I might say, “We have 5 minutes for questions and then we’ll put a bow on the message for today.”

Along with setting expectations, you should also let your audience know that this is not the end. This is why I add “and then we’ll wrap up the message.” Otherwise, because audiences are used to most speakers ending with the Q and A, they might think you are at the end, which could prompt them to start packing up their papers and shuffling around in anticipation of leaving. You can solve this by setting the right expectations at the beginning of the Q and A.

Key 2: Do not ask, “Do you have any questions?” or “Are there any questions?” People might not respond. Instead, ask, “What questions do you have?” This is no longer about whether or not they have a question; it is about what questions they have and how many. Questions will flow out if you prompt in an open-ended way rather than using the yes or no question.

Key 3: Rephrase the questions. This accomplishes the following three things:

1. It affirms the person who asked the question and makes him or her feel understood.

2. It helps the other audience members understand what was asked because many times the questioners do not have a microphone and the audience can't hear them

3. It gives you time to formulate your response.

Key 4: Frame your responses. For example, if it is going to be a 3-part response, let them know. You might say, “There are 3 critical strategies you can use. First, second…and finally…” This way, even if you do speak a little longer than you want, it will not feel like you are rambling. It will still be a structured response.

Key 5: Make sure your answers are brief. Anticipate what they will ask and prepare for those answers in advance. The longer you take to answer, the quicker they will stop believing you.

Key 6: Try to call on questioners from all 4 major sections of your audience. Call on someone in the front, the back, to the left, and to the right. Make them all feel involved. Also, don't just call on the "friendly faces."

Key 7: Acknowledge the importance or validity of the question. I know some speakers say, “Don’t tell people they asked a good question because then everyone else you didn’t say that to will get offended.” Let them be offended. If somebody gets offended because you praised someone else, that’s their personal problem not yours. Occasionally saying, “Great question” does much more good than harm. However, only say it if you mean it.

Key 8: Occasionally ask, “Does that make sense?” Do not overdo it, but do use it especially if you are not sure you addressed the person’s question adequately or you read uncertainty on the person’s face (or hear it in the person’s voice). It does not hurt to check.

Final Thoughts

If you incorporate these 8 keys into your question and answer period, you will keep deepening your connection with each response without destroying the flow of your speech.

A Five-Part Formula...

A Five-Part Formula for Making a Content-Rich Speech

If you want to be known as a content-rich speaker, you will want to follow my PARTS Formula.

(By Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking)

P = Phrase

Have you ever seen a story or speech that was all over the place? Have you ever given one? Chances are this is because the speaker did not start creating the speech in the right place. You should start creating each story (or other anchor) by writing out your Foundational Phrase. This is the phrase upon which that entire story is built.

For example, I tell a story about a boss who tried to keep me with the company by offering me more money. The Foundational Phrase to that story is “Your Dream is not for sale.” This is the point my audience walks away remembering. If you want your audience to remember your point, then leave them with powerful Foundational Phrases for each anchor you use. Make sure these phrases are fewer than 10 words.

A – Anchor

Every point you make should be anchored by an illustration of some kind. I use 4 kinds of anchors in almost every speech I give. I call these my “4 As for For Anchors.” They are

1. Anecdote (a story)

2. Activity

3. Analogy

4. Acronym

You probably already know that the essence of public speaking is to “tell a story and make a point (i.e. Bill Gove).” However, in longer speeches, you should mix up your anchors and use activities, analogies, and acronyms along with your anecdotes. Just make sure every single point you make is illustrated with an anchor. When your audience remembers the anchor, they will not forget the point, especially if the point is made using a strong Foundational Phrase.

R = Reflection

It’s not good enough for our audience to listen to us. Our job is to get them to listen to themselves. Through our speech, they should think and realize how they will use the tools (processes, formulas, recipes, steps, etc.) to improve their own lives. To do this, we must get them to reflect rather than just listen. You can do this by asking questions before, during, and after your anchor. For example:

• Before getting into the story I mentioned above, I ask, “What do you think is the number one thing that stands between most people and their dreams.”

• During the story, I talk about how we sometimes let the good get in the way of the best. I then turn to my audience and ask, “When it comes to your goals and dreams, are you too good to be great?”

• After the story, I ask my initial question again by stating, “So let me ask you now, what is the number one thing that stands between most people and their dreams?” Hopefully they have changed their perspective a bit because of the anchor.

Another example I use is in regards to imagination as I explain how I stepped on the world championship stage at least 1000 times in my mind before I ever got their physically. To get them to reflect on their lives, I ask my audiences, “What stage are you stepping on mentally at least 1000 times?” The key is to allow enough silence for them to be able to answer (in their own minds of course).

How are you currently getting your audiences to go beyond listening and to start reflecting?

T = Technique

If you want to have a long-lasting impact on your audience, then it is not enough to just give them theory. You must give them a way to turn that theory into a practice. For example, when I extol the benefits of using your imagination, I cannot simply just stop there. I must give them a technique for doing so. So I say to my audiences, “Write down your perfect day. Use all your senses, etc.” This gives them a way to turn the theory of imagination into something they can actually do.

When I talk to managers about innovation, I give them a process for using a WIP (Weekly Improvement Plan). Whenever the managers use the WIP, or my other audience members write down their perfect day, guess what? I am still speaking to them! What techniques (processes, tangible things to do) are you giving to your audiences?

S =Sale

Finally, it’s important to understand that when you are in speaking, you are in sales. We must learn to sell our messages and a great way to do this is to use “If…then” statements. For example, you might use the following:

“If you write down your perfect day, then you will find yourself moving towards your goals, dreams, and aspirations, even while you are sleeping.” [Opportunity for gain]

“If you don’t embrace this change, you will put your entire team at risk.” [Fear of loss]

Show them what they can get when they take an action, and show what they might end up with when they don’t.

Final thoughts:

This is the tip of the iceberg to the PARTS Formula. There are many dos and don’ts that go under each of these 5 keys. However, if you start reflecting on them now, then you will see areas you can immediately improve with your very next speech.

Coming next...

8 Keys to an Effective Q&A (Questions and Answers) Session

5 Ways to Ignite your Audience with your Introduction.

By Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking

(This lesson is about the introduction you provide for your introducer...)

Here is a Traditional Introduction for a Speaker

Do yourself a favour and read the following paragraph out loud as if you are using it to introduce the next speaker for an event. Really get into it.

Our Next Speaker is the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking. With more than 175,000 Toastmasters in 68 countries, and over 25,000 contestants, he came home with the first prize trophy and a significant amount of national and international recognition. In addition, our speaker is absolutely oblivious to the fact that we could care less what he has done and that we are much more interested in what we will be able to do after hearing him. Moreover, our speaker seems to have no idea that we are simply hoping for his autobiographical introduction to end so we can start clapping as if we are interested.

Finally, he does not realize that we are beginning to say to ourselves, "His entire introduction is about him; therefore I bet his entire speech is about him also. Why did I even come here today?" So, with that said, please help me welcome the person who would have the least effective introduction in history if it were not for the thousands of other presenters who have introductions just like his; the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking, Craig Valentine.

What's Wrong with that Introduction?

Do you get the point? How similar is your introduction to my old one that you read above? Is it about you or is it about what your audience will get out of your speech? Everything you do should be about the audience, including your introduction.

Your introduction flavours your entire speech. You can use it to get the audience fired up and excited about what they are going to hear, or you can use it to boost yourself up in their eyes. You can use it to whet their appetite with the valuable tools they are sure to get from your presentation, or, again, you can use it to boost yourself up in their eyes. Here is one thing I know for sure; once I changed my introduction from me-focused to you-focused, I gave myself an extreme advantage before I even said one word. You will too.

5 Ways to Fire Up Your Audience with your Introduction

An effective introduction is the difference between starting off in a hole or on solid ground. Here are some nuts and bolts tools you can use in your introduction to get off to a great start with your very next speech. Do not go into your next speech without them.

1. Start it off about them. Make your very first sentence about them. Instead of starting off with "Our next speaker today is the 1999 World Champion…" start with something like the following:

There is a definite process for keeping your audiences on the edge of their seats. It is not easy to come by and it is not easy to use. However, once you master it, you WILL find doors opening for you that you never even knew existed.

You might have noticed there were 5 you (or your) words used in those two sentences. Make it you-focused first. Start with them not with yourself. How many you-related words are in your introduction? Count them and make sure there are many more you-related words than there are I-related words.

2. Make a promise. Let them know not only what they will get, but also what those tools will empower them to do and to receive. In the example above, I tell them they will get a process that empowers them to keep their audiences on the edge of their seats and rewards them with more open doors and opportunities. That is a pretty compelling promise. What compelling promise do you make with your introduction?

3. Build your credibility but only with your relevant credentials – For example, I have a specific introduction for my teambuilding workshops. This specific introduction includes a piece that mentions how I won 3 consecutive East Coast Conference Championships and played in 2 NCAA March Madness tournaments as a college basketball player. Because this part of my history relates to teams, it belongs in this introduction on teambuilding.

However, as proud as I am about those basketball accomplishments, do you think they belong in my introduction if the speech is about presentation skills? If I was sitting in the audience and I heard the introducer say, "Our presentation coach today was also a college basketball player," I know I would be thinking, "Well, while he was dribbling up and down the court, was he giving speeches? If not, why do I care about his basketball past?" Only use the relevant information no matter how well-rounded you are. Even if you are extremely proud of something, if it does not fit, do not force it. Instead, leave it out. Is all the information in your introduction relevant to the subject at hand?

4. Use the introduction to set up something in your speech - For example, when I begin speaking, I often call back to my introduction by saying the following:

"Do you know, that even with all those accolades, people still do not like me? Do you know why they do not like me?"

Then I go into a humorous story about why they do not like me, but it all is set up by the accolades (relevant ones) in my introduction. Find ways to make your introduction seamlessly feed into your speech. How do you currently tie your speech back into your introduction?

5. Take everything about you and turn it into everything for them. If you do this, your audience will be ready and excited to receive your message. For example, instead of stating "Craig Valentine is the 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking" I could make that actually matter to them by saying, "The process you will pick up today helped our speaker become the 1999 World Champion and you can use it to become a speaker in high-demand."

Do you get it? Turn everything about you into something for them. Doing this will get them fired up to hear your message. It tickles me now because when the introducer gets to the end up my introduction, he or she usually says, "Are you ready for the process?" At this point people actually begin yelling out, "Yes!" That is some great energy to walk into for a speech. Are you turning everything about you into everything for them?

Follow the 5 guideposts listed here and watch as your audience members lean forward in their seats and anxiously await your presentation. That is how you ignite your audience with your introduction.

Final thoughts:

What you say after you are introduced is obviously critical as well and using a powerful story is a great way to begin your speech. In fact, being able to tell your story and sell your point is the essence of powerful public speaking.

Coming next...

A Five-Part Formula for Making a Content-Rich Speech

Joining a Toastmasters Club...

"How joining a Toastmasters Club has made a significant Difference in my life"

By Sam Choo

If I have not join a toastmasters club, I would still be sitting inconspicuously in the class,

never raising my hand and never asking a question, and remain a fool forever. Today, I am no longer a fool. Naturally they look up to me as their spokesman.

If I had not join the toastmasters club, I would have remained a shy recluse. But the club has open up my social life so that I can see issues from many perspectives and respect differences.

If I have not join a toastmaster club, I would have remained jobless. The interviewer was like another table topics session. I was able to speak off the cuff with confidence. In the club I would have gotten a prize. But in that interview, I got the biggest prize of all - the job.

If I had not join the toastmasters club, I would have remained a simple worker who only

knows how to take order instead of making decision. As a club leader, I have discovered the power to impact the quality of people' lives through mentoring and organising workshops. Using the hamburger approach in evaluation, I have become a better listener.

If I had not join the toastmasters club, I would still be imprisoned within my prison walls of fear of public speaking. Now it has open the door to a whole new world of freedom and happiness. Now I enjoy public speaking. I have found my voice..and a new lease of life.

Published on April 2004. This essay won him 5th place in the Singapore Toastmasters Awareness Month Essay Contest

Source: Internet...

The Power of Words

Words can amuse, confuse, charm, and disarm Encourage, discourage, heal or harm.

They can tell a story, bloody and gory, Or take you away, by boat, train or sleigh.

We use words in many different and interesting ways. They are used to share a feeling or a story with another person. They are the building blocks of thoughts. When talking to people, we need to communicate in their language. We do not want to talk above them, or beneath them. A good command of the English language is essential if you want to become an executive or rise to a higher position in most jobs.

When speaking, words are often accompanied by actions, which strengthen the communication, but words can be used by themselves to describe a scene, a painting, an experience.

I have always been fascinated by words. As a preteen I had read all the books in the children's section and moved on to the adult section of the bookmobile. When you read a book you an imagine actually being part of the story. You can visualize a painting being described or feel an experience.

Words are used in songs and stories to make us think of happier times or places or to encourage us to dream. For instance the song Somewhere Over The Rainbow gives us hope of brighter days ahead.

Words may also be used to describe scenes of violence or terror... "He was on his way home from work and she was listening to his message to their young children on the answering machine, suddenly "The story was interrupted by the jarring screech of his brakes, of metal against metal, of cars colliding....her husband had been the only fatality of a four -car pileup" caused by a drunk driver.

Words can even direct our experiences, by programming our minds in a certain way. For example, many people say things like, "That makes me sick" or "This job is killing me." Do you think they want to be sick or die at work? Probably not, so it is best not to repeat declarations that could program an outcome we don't want. Have you ever noticed that when someone asks you how you feel and you say, "I'm feeling great!" how it makes you feel even better, while if you say, "I'm not feeling very well" to two or three people you start feeling worse? If we pay attention to the negative words we use we can try to make them more positive.

According to the Buddhist principle of right speech, one should always know when to speak the truth and when to refrain from speaking it in order to spare someone unnecessary hurt. Hurting words include things like: I hate you, I don't love you anymore, you make me sick, go away and who do you think you are? We often say hurtful words when we are arguing, often without really meaning what we say. The intention of right speech is to make sure our words are used only in a helpful, not a harmful manner, which involves speaking at all times with discretion and compassion. .

We should regard our words as instruments of healing nor hurting. We need to try to choose our words with care, knowing that they will take root in the minds and hearts of others. It is important to become conscious of how we use words.

If you try practicing the art of right speech for just one day, refraining from talking about and judging others or saying anything that could hurt someone unnecessarily you may notice that your thinking and listening skills increase as your verbal activities decrease.

Depending on the context of the words, and/or the body language used, different meanings can be drawn from the same word. Take for instance the simple word "no". Several scenes or events may come to mind with each repetition. No (shock), No (absolute), No (hesitant), No (question). And what about the word "yes". Yes (statement), yes (hesitant), yes (joyful), yes (sexy).

We need to recognize the power of words. A simple "Thank You", said from the heart can bring joy and encouragement to someone who is feeling down. "I love you" said with feeling can lift you up and make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

You can improve your "word power" by reading a dictionary, which gives you the correct pronunciation of the word and a description. Each issue of Reader's Digest has a section on Word Power where you can test your knowledge and gain a new vocabulary. At Toastmasters, the "word of the week" encourages acquisition of new language by introducing a somewhat unfamiliar word and inviting members to use, and acknowledge the use of, the word during the evening's events.

We need to be aware of the power of words and how they can impact the people around us. We must be careful of the way we say things, with our mouths and with our body language. We should always try to make our words positive and encouraging.

I encourage you to use the skills you have gained in Toastmasters to make a difference in the world around you, and remember these words from the Bible, "whatsoever things are true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things", ...and the right words will follow.



Choose your words wisely


All the best


Fran Watson

Public Speaking: Glossary (A - Z)

Acronym: A form of abbreviation where the letters of the abbreviation form a new word as in HUD for The Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ad-lib: Unplanned words or phrases spoken during a presentation.

Alliteration: The repetition of the same first sound or the same first letter in a group of words or line of poetry as in from stem to stern.

Anachronism: A person, place, or event that is placed in a time period in which it does not belong such as George Washington sitting in front of a computer.

Analogy: A comparison of two things that are alike in some ways and different in others. An example is your brain is similar to a computer.

Anecdote: A short interesting or amusing incident.

Aside: In the theater, something said to the audience that is not to be heard by the other actors. In television, the actor would look right at the camera and talk to the viewers. In a presentation, the speaker would make a temporary departure from the main theme or topic.

Attribution: Crediting the source of material used in a presentation.

Audience gag: A joke pulled on the audience, sometimes with some of the audience members used as shills.

Audience participation: The audience doing something other than listeningduring a public speaking engagement. Some of them could be on-stage with you, carrying on group discussions, playing games, singing, etc.

A/V: Abbreviation for audiovisual equipment, such as overhead projectors, tape recorders, slide projectors, microphones, etc.

Bits: A short section of material so related that it is easy to memorize. Also called Chunks, Series.

Black Humor: According to Webster's Dictionary, "Humor that ignores human suffering and looks for the absurdity in any experience, even the most tragic." Used as a stress reliever in many high pressure occupations (medicine, law enforcement, military, etc.). Also Sick humor, Gallows humor. (Note: Please don't use in a professional presentation)

Blocking: Positioning of you and your equipment on the stage. Also your intended movement on the stage.

Blooper: A clumsy mistake, especially one made in public; a faux pas.

Blue Humor: Risqué or dirty humor The kind of humor everyone likes, but won't admit it. (OK, I'm kidding or am I?) Also called Off-color humor.

Bomb: In the USA a GIANT failure. In Great Britain a smashing success.

Bombproofing: Term coined by your lovable author to signify the steps you take as a presenter to be sure you don't bomb.

Breakout session: Splitting the entire group into smaller groups to hear special interest public speaking topics.

Callback: Referring to a word or phrase you mentioned earlier in your presentation.

Canned act: The use of standard material regardless of the makeup of the audience (not customized). Also Planned Spontaneity.

Canned ad-lib: Pre-planned response to a presentation problem or audience member comment.

Caricature: A picture in which the subject's distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.

Cartoon: An illustrated joke. Also Comic Strip.

Cheap laugh: Simple, sometimes tasteless, laughs that anyone, regardless of skill level, could elicit from the audience during a public speaking engagement (this is my specialty Ha-ha).

Chunks: See Bits.

Classroom seating: Seating style where chairs are placed behind tables.

Cliché: A worn-out saying such as "It's better to be safe than sorry" (that's a sorry cliché).

Comeback: A humorous or clever retort to an audience comment. Also Repartee or Riposte.

Comedian: An amusing person whose primary purpose is to entertain. Also Comic.

Comedienne: Older, less politically correct, term for a female comedian.

Comic: See Comedian.

Comic relief: An amusing element introduced into a serious speech or play to temporarily relieve tension.

Comic strip: Cartoon progressing over a series of scenes.

Concurrent session: A session occurring at the same time as another (breakout) session.

Content: The usable information in a presentation.

Convulsive laughter: Violent laughter that causes a person to lunge forward, backward or both.

Cordless microphone: A microphone which works by transmitting radio signals to a receiver which is connected to the public address (PA) system. Also Wireless Microphone.

Custom humor: Humorous comments, skits, role playing, gags, or costuming devised specifically for a particular audience.

Dais: A raised platform in the front of the room where the speaker stands. Also Podium, Riser, Stage or Platform.

Deadpan expression: A serious expression contrasted with funny lines.

Demo tape: An audio or video tape used to promote speakers, bands, magicians, etc.

Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience.

Dynamic range: Gradation of intensity available for use by a presenter from demure whisper to boisterous screams.

Easel: A tripod or frame used to support flipchart pads or other visuals.

Emcee: Abbrev. MC, An informal term for Master of Ceremonies. Also Toastmaster, Roastmaster.

Exaggeration humor: Expanding or diminishing features or information to outrageous proportions for comic effect.

Extemporaneous: An impromptu or spontaneous presentation.

Extender line: Line added to the end of a humorous comment that evokes additional laughter.

Flipchart: Large pieces of paper either bound or loose that are supported on an easel.

Flop sweat: 1. Fear of performing 2. Perspiration while fearful of performing or while bombing.

Fluff: Normally lighthearted information in a presentation used to entertain or motivate (not hard data).

Gag: Wordplay or horseplay with the audience.

Gag order: Meeting planner tells you to shut up (I couldn't resist throwing this one in).

General session: All attendees present at the same presentation.

Gesticulate: To gesture in an animated and excited manner or simply to gesture.

Goldwynism: 1940's term for comical misuse of language. Named after movie mogul Sam Goldwyn.

Greenroom: A backstage room where speakers and performers can relax when they are not on stage. Also applies to television studios.

Handheld microphone: A corded or cordless microphone that can be held to your mouth or mounted on a lectern or microphone stand.

Handout: Any promotional or educational material given to each audience member.

Handsfree microphone: A corded or cordless microphone that attaches to the presenter's clothing. Also Lavaliere.

Head table: A table at the front of the room reserved for the leaders, special guests and speakers at an event.

Heart story: Touching story that normally brings tears to the eyes of audience members.

Heckler: Audience member who purposely annoys or bothers the presenter usually by means of verbal abuse (sometimes throws things).

Hey stupid question: Trite question posed to the audience like How many of you want to make more money?

Honorarium: Payment for speaking or other services.

House lights: Lights that illuminate the audience.

Humorist: Speaker who uses humor to make points, convey a message, and entertain.

Humorous acknowledgment: Mildly amusing admission of guilt immediately followed by a serious response.

Idiom: An expression of a given language that cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its words, as in keep tabs on.

Impostor guest speaker: Speaker with false credentials employed to pull a gag on the audience for the purposes of stress reduction, morale boost, and/or entertainment.

In fun: A climate in the presentation area such that the speaker and audience are in the mood for laughter.

Introducer: Person who presents the speaker to the audience and gives a brief account of the speaker's history.

Introduction: A normally written opening to a speech used by the introducer to present the speaker to the audience.

Jokes: Something said or done to create laughter or amusement.

Juxtaposition humor: The placing, side-by-side, of two ideas or items usually for the purpose of comic comparison or contrast.

Keynote: The main speech at a meeting delivered to all attendees in a general session. Originally the main point of a speech.

Lavaliere: A corded or cordless microphone worn around the neck or attached to a piece of clothing. See Hands free microphone.

Lectern: A stand with a sloping top from which a speaker delivers his or her program. Sometimes incorrectly called a podium.

Localization and personalization: The process of changing details of a story or joke to suit the intended audience

Malaprop: An absurd misuse of words. See Goldwynism.

Master of ceremonies: A person who acts as host of an event, making the welcoming speech and introducing other speakers or entertainers. Also Toastmaster, Roastmaster, Emcee, MC.

MC: n. Abbreviation for Master of ceremonies. v. Acting as Master of ceremonies as in Joe will MC the event.

Meeting planner: The person in charge of planning the logistical parameters of a meeting like room setup, hotel arrangements, meals, travel, and sometimes hiring of speakers. Also Coordinator, Organizer or Planner.

Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making a comparison, as in She is an angel on the platform.

Mic: Abbreviation for microphone pronounced mike.

Moderator: Person who presides over a meeting, panel, or debate.

Multimedia: The use of several media, such as movies, slides, music, and lighting in combination normally for the purpose of education or entertainment.

Off-color humor: See Blue Humor.

Off the cuff: In an extemporaneous or informal manner. Old time speakers would make notes on their shirt cuffs instead of preparing for a talk.

One-liner: A general term for a very short piece of humor.

Overhead projector: Device used to project images from transparent film onto a screen or the wall.

Oxymoron: Two concepts {usually two words} that do not go together, but are used together like old news, extensive briefing, direct circumvention and random order.

PA: Abbreviation for public address system.

Panel: A group of presenters, normally seated, that hold a discussion on a particular subject. Audience members are invited to pose questions to individual presenters or to the group as a whole.

Parody: A humorous imitation of a serious piece of literature or song.

Planned spontaneity: See Canned ad-lib.

Plant: A person pretending to be a normal audience member, who, in fact, is there to assist the speaker in some way. Also Shill.

Platform: Raised area in front of the audience where the speaker stands. Also, Dais, Riser, Podium or Stage.

Pleonasm: The bringing together of two concepts or words that are redundant like frozen ice, sharp point, killed dead, sandy beach, young child, positive praise.

Plug: An informal advertisement made during a presentation used to promote a product or service.

Podium: See Platform. Many people call a lectern a podium. This is technically incorrect, but very common. Also Dais, Riser, or Stage.

Practical joke: A playful trick that usually puts the receiver in an embarrassing position. Also Prank.

Prank: A practical joke that could be good natured or malicious. See Practical joke.

Pratfall: In comedy, an on-purpose, exaggerated fall to the floor usually accompanied by flailing arms and legs for effect.

Pre-program questionnaire: Information gathering document used to customize a presentation.

Press kit: A package of information used to promote a speaker or performer.

Prompter: A device used to electronically display a magnified version of the script the speaker can see, but the audience can't. (Commonly called a TelePrompter, which is actually a registered trade name.)

Prop: A shortened version of the theatrical term "property" used to describe any object handled or used by an actor in a performance.

Public address system: Abbrev. PA. The equipment used to amplify sound for the audience.

Public domain: Material that anyone can use without the need to give credit.

Public seminar: An educational event which is open to the public.

Pun: The humorous use of words that sound alike or nearly alike but are different in meaning as in Isn't this a punny book?

Punch line: The climactic word or phrase of a humorous statement that provokes laughter.

Q&A: Abbreviation for the question and answer portion of a presentation.

Rapport: A relationship with the audience, especially one of mutual trust or emotional attraction.

Rehearse: To practice for a presentation until all the rough spots are smoothed.

Relevance, Theory of: Belief that the only humor used in a business presentation should be related to the subject of the presentation, the speaker, the audience, or the location.

Repartee: A conversation full of quick, witty replies. Also Comeback, Riposte.

Repeat engagement: A second presentation for the same group.

Response to Introduction: After the introduction, comments directed to the introducer or the audience about the introduction or introducer.

Riposte: Sharp, quick action or reply. Also Comeback.

Riser: See Platform. Also, Dais, Podium or Stage.

Roast: An event where the guest of honor is ridiculed and teased in a good-natured, comical manner.

Roastmaster: The Master of Ceremonies at a roast.

Role play: An audience involvement exercise where the audience members and/or the presenter interact while assuming the attitudes and actions of others.

Rule of Three: Structure of humor where two serious items set a pattern then the third unexpectedly switches the pattern which provokes laughter, or three jokes on one topic in a bit.

Running gag: A gag that repeats itself or plays off a gag that occurred earlier.

Saver line: Comment made to recover from a (supposedly) humorous comment that failed.

Sarcasm: A cutting, often ironic, form of wit intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule

Segue: To move smoothly and unhesitatingly from one section or theme of a presentation to another. Pronounced seg-way.

Self-effacing humor: A very powerful form of humor that highlights your own weaknesses.

Seminar: An educational session lasting from 30 minutes to several days.

Series: See Bits.

Shill: In comedy, a person planted in the audience to assist in a gag.

Shtick: A characteristic attribute, talent, or trait that is helpful in securing recognition or attention. In entertainment, a routine or gimmick attributed to a particular performer,i. e. smashing watermelons is part of Gallagher's (the comedian) shtick.

Sick humor: See Black humor.

Signature story: A story that is credited to a particular person. This type of story should never be used without attribution.

Simile: A comparison of two things which, however different in other respects, have some strong point or points in common. The words like and as will normally be used when making the comparison as in His brilliance is like a burned out light bulb.

Site: The location of the meeting. Also Venue.

Slapstick: Broad comedy involving boisterous action like throwing pies and fake violence ala The Three Stooges.

Slide: A 35mm transparency. Sometimes used to describe an overhead transparency.

Sound man (person): Person in charge of public address system, sound board, recording, etc. during a presentation.

Sound system: See Public Address System.

Speakers bureau: A service company that provides speakers for meeting planners.

Spokesperson: A person who speaks for or represents a company, organization or other person.

Stage: See Dais.

Stage fright: Nervousness associated with performing or speaking before an audience.

Stage left: As the performer faces the audience, the side of the stage to his/her left.

Stage lights: Lights illuminating the stage area only.

Stage right: As the performer faces the audience, the side of the stage to his/her right.

Stooge: An entertainer who feeds lines to the main performer and frequently is the butt of the joke.

Tailoring: Adjusting material to better suit a particular audience. Not quite customizing.

TelePrompter: See Prompter.

Test Humor: Humor used either in the introduction or early parts of a talk to determine the extent to which the audience is in fun.

Testimonial: A statement, usually written, in support of a another's character or worth; a personal recommendation.

Theater style seating: Seating where chairs are set in rows without tables.

Timing: Adjusting one's speaking and pausing for dramatic or comical effect.

Toastmaster: See Emcee.

Trainer: A person who conducts workshops and training sessions.

Transcribe: To make a written copy of a voice recording or presentation.

Transparency: A slide that is viewed by light shining through it from behind or by projection. Also Slide.

Two-step seminar: A free seminar where attendees are asked to buy a second seminar or purchase products.

Upstage: The area of the stage farthest from the audience. Also to steal the focus of the audience from the intended main performer.

Venue: See Site.

View-graph: Alternate name for overhead transparency.

Wings: Extreme sides of the stage normally hidden from the audience by curtains or walls.

Wireless microphone: See Cordless microphone.

Whisper: Attention-gaining device where presenter speaks with extremely low volume to one audience member.

Workshop: An educational session lasting from one hour to many days. Usually includes hands-on practice in the particular skills being taught.