What Makes a Good Speaker?

Ideas
A good speech contains sound and stimulating ideas. These don't have to be original but they should be expressed in a fresh and stimulating manner.

Purpose
Whatever the purpose of the speech - be it to entertain, arouse, convince, inform or instruct - it will be clearly recognised in advance and it will match the expectation of the audience.

Material
Fact, opinion and evidence will be chosen and logically marshalled to meet the purpose of the speech.

Consideration
The speaker will know his/her audience and speak to their needs. He/she will observe the courtesies of speaking to time, of keeping the audience interested and of being clear and pleasant to listen to.

Delivery
The voice will be well used and varied. Rate and pitch will be modified appropriately to particular passages of the speech. Pause and emphasis will be thoughtfully incorporated and feeling will be reflected naturally.

Control
The speaker will be in command of him/herself, the direction of the speech and the audience. He/she will appear calm and confident and be able to think ahead while he/she is speaking.

Language
Words will be used exactly and will serve to provide colour, imagery and feeling to the speech. The speech will be spontaneous, fluent and interesting.

Personality
The speech will reflect the speaker as a person, his/her feeling for people and his/her topic. It will be natural, sincere and convincing.

from Handbook for Public Speakers by James D Milburn.