Elevator Speeches
The one or two-sentence summary that screenwriters use to explain the essence of their movie, and that speakers can use in their elevator speeches
What is a logline?
The quality that allows leaders to inspire their followers and is essential for effective communication, especially in today's skeptical environment
What is authenticity?
Along with equality, value, and respectful engagement, this core value of invitational speaking insists that individuals should have the freedom to make their own choices without external pressure
What is self-determination?
Light humor at your own expense
What is self-deprecating humor?
These require more technical involvement, a more focused message, and a more deliberate delivery style
What are virtual audiences?
The practice of delivering information in a clear and brief manner, essential for effective pitches
What is being direct and concise?
The skill that involves being attuned to the emotional state of the audience and adjusting the presentation accordingly
What is listening?
No pressure is placed on participants to change their beliefs when this occurs
What is non-coercion?
For example, humorously pointing out, “We’ve all been there, trying to find the perfect Zoom background.”
What is observational humor?
The name of the type of commemorative speech that a boss might give for a retiring employee
What is a toast or speech to celebrate?
The process of rehearsing your pitch to improve delivery and effectiveness
What is practice?
The framework that outlines the beginning, middle, and end of a narrative
What is story structure?
According to Griffin and Foss (1995), while traditional rhetoric focuses on convincing, invitational rhetoric focuses on this instead.
What is understanding?
Reducing your speech to these (no more than three to four per sentence) will help you to remember a whole chunk of what you planned to say without having to write it all out on a notecard
What are keywords?
Along with forensic and deliberative, this type of rhetoric identified by Aristotle best describes commemorative speeches
What is epideictic rhetoric?
This technique involves restating your main message to reinforce it in the audience's mind
What is repetition?
The descriptive elements that appeal to the senses and help create a vivid experience in a story
What are sensory details (VAKOG)?
Even with the best of intentions, speakers cannot erase existing power dynamics between audience members. Scholar use this term to describe this fact about invitational speaking.
What is a limitation?
Using this technique as a form of repetition will help you remember what you plan to say in a speech
What is parallel sentence structure?
One of these might be useful for improving lighting when delivering a speech or presentation virtually
What is a ring light?
The practice of ensuring that everyone in your organization communicates the same key points in their pitches
What is consistent messaging?
The concept that emphasizes the importance of representing others' stories authentically and without manipulation
What is ethical storytelling?
In order to avoid giving away their own personal biases and opinions on a topic, a speaker who engages in invitational rhetoric should ask these kinds of questions of their audience?
What are open-ended questions?
The practice that involves using humor in ways that are inclusive and mindful of how people from around the world may interpret it
What is cultural sensitivity?
Doing these two thing will increase audience engagement during virtual speeches and presentations
What are asking questions of your audience and soliciting feedback from them using polls, emojis, and/or the chat feature?