Speaking to a group can be difficult, but listening to a bad speech is truly a tiresome task - especially when the speaker is confusing. Don't want to confuse your audience? Follow these suggestions:
(1) Speak slowly and pause.
____36____ First, we hear the words; then, we compare the new information to what we already know. If the two are different, we need to pause and think. But a breathless speaker never stops to let us think about what he or she is saying and risks confusing us. Slow it down. And breathe.
(2) Don't be contradictory (自相矛盾的).
Sometimes we all start a sentence one way and then switch directions, which is very difficult to follow. When you confuse your listeners with opposing information, you leave the audience wondering what part of the information is right and what part they should remember. ____37____
(3) Be well-organised.
Jumping from point to point as it comes to your mind often makes your listeners confused. And it's difficult for them to listen, reorganise, and figure out what you're saying all at once. ____38____You can arrange things from beginning to end, small to large, top to bottom or by some other order. Just be sure to organise.
(4)____39____
Many speakers finish up their speeches with question-and-answer (Q & A) sessions, but some let the Q & A go on without a clear end. ____40____ Do your listeners a favour by closing your speech with a specific signal like, "If you have any more questions, you know where to reach me." Or even more to the point, conclude your speech with "Thanks for your time."