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disagreed with a quotation from television pioneer Donald McGannon, “Leadership is action, not position.” Orme had seven minutes
to prepare his thoughts and give his speech, a format that he says requires going with gut instincts. “Impromptu is a really unique balance between sounding like everyone else and having enough structure that you’re not just rambling,” he says. According to Ray Quiel,
director of Eastern Michigan’s renowned forensics program, EMU has had more than 70 national forensics champions, but none before in impromptu at an AFA championship. Orme made it to the AFA national semifinals last year before a mishap—he misread the quotation—derailed his title plans. “The joke among the team this year was that as long as I actually read the quotation, I was going to win the event,” Orme says. Now that his collegiate
career is over, he’ll turn his attention to helping others learn how to be more effective speakers. Orme will be the forensics coach at Suffolk University in Boston while he pursues a Ph.D. in economics. Before he leaves, though, we
Say What?
EMU’s national champion impromptu speaker shares his tips for the spotlight
M
any of us dread speaking in front of others, so much
that public speaking ranks first in several fear studies, ahead of spiders, the dark, heights—even death.
Omar Orme (BA11) doesn’t
share that fear of speaking. In fact, he thrives in front of an audience. Orme won the American Forensics Association (AFA) National Championship for impromptu speaking in April, delivering a speech that artfully
asked him to share his expertise with us. What should we do when we’re asked to speak at an event—but the request doesn’t come until five minutes before the event starts? Or when our boss is scheduled to make a presentation but then suddenly defers to us? Here are some of Orme’s tips:
KNOW THE SITUATION: “Even if you’re going to a meeting and you expect your boss—not you—to be giving a presentation, know that presentation. Know the material.
If you have the background knowledge, you’re going to give a better speech.”
KNOW YOURSELF: “I think people get afraid of being themselves. People get in front of a crowd and they act like they think other people would act in that situation. The people who do the best are the ones who let their personalities come out. Don’t give a speech like someone else would; give it like you would.”
REPEAT, REPEAT: “Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself. Sometimes saying, ‘I’m going to tell you this’—then telling it – then saying, ‘I just told you this’—helps people remember and think of that as important information. Previews and reviews are important regardless of whether you’re prepared to speak or not. Especially in a setting like a boardroom, because it lets them know what to take notes on. They’re not writing down every word; they’re writing down the important things that you said would matter earlier.”
BREATHE: “Take a deep breath. No one will be upset if you wait 15 seconds to speak. Everyone knows you’re not entirely prepared. And those 15 seconds can turn you from someone who is confused and stumbling into someone who really feels comfortable speaking.”
GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD: “Public speaking is all in your head. Be comfortable and confident and you will look comfortable and confident. Even if you’re not really excited about giving a speech and you’re not prepared for it, if you look like you are, people will assume you’re saying the right thing.” —Darcy Gifford
6 Eastern | SUMMER 2011
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