A speaker can build up to a climax in their speech by gradually increasing the intensity and importance of the points they are making. This can be done by starting with less significant points and gradually moving towards the most important point or revelation. This strategy is effective because it keeps the audience engaged and creates a sense of anticipation. It also makes the most important point more memorable because it is presented as the culmination of the speech.

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How to Develop Self-confidence & Influence by Public Speaking

Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends & Influence People wrote a lesser-known book aimed explicitly at public speakers. Though the book was writ...

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Summarize your points. Even a short speech will likely have included a lot of information. Remind your audience of your key points with a succinct outline summary. Make an appeal for action. "I urge you, ladies and gentlemen, to support this proposal." End with a compliment, something that appeals to your audience's vanity. Just make sure that it is sincere and not a gross piece of flattery. Be humorous; leave them laughing if you can, without it seeming forced. Close with a poetic quotation. The public library or Bartlett's Quotations are good sources. Build up to a climax. This isn't appropriate for every speaker or subject, but if it works this is a very effective way to wrap up a speech.

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Humor plays a significant role in public speaking as it helps to engage the audience, lighten the mood, and make the content more memorable. It can be effectively incorporated by ensuring it is relevant to the topic and the audience. It should not be forced or inappropriate. Using personal anecdotes or light-hearted stories related to the topic can be an effective way to incorporate humor. However, it's important to be mindful of the audience's cultural and social backgrounds to avoid any offensive or insensitive jokes.

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