A speech is a part of life seen through the lens of the speaker. Same is about a movie or a memoir. Life is expressed in many forms through us but the values of life are universal, so are the tribulations and triumphs. When a writer writes his/her memoir, a speaker shares a part of his life, or a movie shows the journey of a man, it’s the universal nature of life that makes them relevant to everyone in the audience.
But what makes it interesting to us as an audience?
Values in life are universal but emotions are personal. When Wallace encounters betrayal while fighting the English (“Braveheart”), Chuck Nolan finds himself alone in an island after plane crash and finds out his most unlikely companion (“Cast Away”) or Gump sees his fellow soldier killed in war (“Forrest Gump”) – we feel angry, lonely, or sad. Without bothering about the universality of justice, need of a companion, friendship. You must be thinking that it’s the story that made us feel emotional, and you are spot on.
Now, how can you make this emotion special?
By adding something out of proportion to the story – a drama slightly bigger than the conflict, a dialogue exaggerating the emotion, a change in pacing to draw attention. Or a quote (my favourite) without being a “quote”. We love life, we love emotions, we love the vulnerability of emotions. That’s why underdogs are so dear to us. And a larger than life “bit” makes the underdog an “emotional” hero of the story in the eyes, mind, heart of the audience. An emotional hero is a superhero!
So, next time – you think of getting connected to your audience, think of this sequence – life, universal value, personal emotion and…something larger than life. YOU will be a superhero!
This is the connectedness with the audience that makes a speech different that other small talks!
(photo credit: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/marine-life.htm)