Communicate an effective message: giving a speech can be a trying experience, even for seasoned pros. Here's some advice on how to make your speeches effective and memorable.

• Author: Rose, Gene
• Position: Tools Of The Trade

With your stomach tied in knots, your knees buckling, your heart pounding, you approach the podium. It's time to give your speech, one of the most important yet intimidating aspects of being a lawmaker. Is there any way to be totally prepared? Yes. Here's how.

1 Know your audience, and know why they invited you.

As any musician who plays at weddings will tell you, know your audience before you take the stage. Mozart will bomb with rock and roll fans. Get as much information as you can about the group beforehand, including their stands on issues, positions they have taken and their involvement in the community. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what they want you to address. You will be better received if you know and address what interests them.

Questions you may want to consider:

* How big an audience will it be?

* What is the audience's attitude and knowledge about the subject of your talk?

* What is their attitude toward you as the speaker?

* Why are they interested in your topic?

* What values does the audience find important?

* Do they all share similar values?

* What are the basic demographics (sex, age, education level, economic level, etc.) of the audience?

2 Determine your best delivery style.

Some public speakers do best when they have a complete script in front of them. Others do better with index cards that have only talking points. Obviously all major speeches should be scripted, but for most that you deliver as a legislator, notes often work best.

The problem with notes is that it's easy to ramble or get off course. Discover which system works best for you and perfect the style so that your speeches are clear and effective.

3 Have a message.

And stick to it. Don't veer off into other messages, no matter how relevant they seem. You want your audience to leave the event with a clear purpose, not a smorgasbord of ideas that will quickly be forgotten.

"Consider this question: What is my speech about? Then answer that question in one sentience," advises author Philip R. Theibert in his book, How to Give a Damn Good Speech.

Your speech, advises Peggy Noonan, former speech writer for Presidents Reagan and Bush, should go no longer than 20 minutes. In a short speech, she says, "You have to keep to the essential things."

4 Keep a pencil handy!

If you are having trouble sitting down and writing your speech, don't worry. Thoughts, ideas, images, arguments and analogies will come to you on the treadmill, in the shower, when you...