Preparing for the speech
If your speech is scheduled for a Monday, when people have not yet adjusted to the weekend’s being over, or a Friday, when they are thinking of the weekend ahead, you need interesting material to hold their attention. Similarly, gloomy winter days or balmy spring weather can put people in different frames of mind, and their moods can color how they receive your speech.54 Your materials and presentation style will have to be bright and engaging to overcome the blahs or forestall daydreaming.
The amount of time allotted for your presentation is also critical. A short speech does not necessarily mean shorter preparation time. Short speeches require you to focus your topic so that it can be handled in the time allotted. You must limit the number of main points and use supporting materials selectively. Choose the most relevant and impressive facts, statistics, and testimony, the most striking examples and stories. Plan your speech so that you begin with a burst and end with a bang.