The use of humour in public speaking is often ignored as a priority. But the truth is that without an adequate dose of humour in a presentation, an audience will become quickly disengaged, bored and restless. Laughter is the glue that can give a presentation a life force of energy, stress release through laughter and enhance concentration.
Aside from helping to connect to an audience, humour makes the speaker more memorable, entertains and makes the message more palatable and valuable.
Here are nine easily applied sources of humour to include in any presentation:
1. One-Liners
2. Jokes
3. Puns
4. Vignettes
5. Props
6. Cartoons
7. Life Observations
8. Smiles
9. A happy disposition
Always try to surprise your audience. When laughter is completely unexpected, it makes a joke very funny.
Always allow the audience the time to laugh and enjoy it.
Make sure the use of humour is appropriate for the audience.
Always apply the 3 P’s, Practice, Practice, Practice, before delivering it to an audience.
If in rehearsal, it doesn’t work, abandon your humour idea, and move on.
Try to include two to three sources of humour in every presentation.
If using two sources, place one in your script at the beginning and the other near the conclusion.
If using three sources, place one in your script in the introduction, middle and the third near the conclusion.
Your audience will enjoy your presentation and you will become a positive asset to the speaking world.
Written by
Bette Elly Klimitz
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