Don't Tell Me You're Going To Just "Wing It!"

I just went through a round of campaign speeches at my University for Class Council positions. I am always intrigued by the wide range of presentations. Some students appear to have actually put some time into it.

I wish I could have just a minute prior to the speeches with all of the candidates. I know that they aren't all polished speakers and that everyone gets a little nervous (or a LOT nervous) when they have to get up in front of people.

I would simply say...

"Don't tell your audience that you're unprepared. Don't tell them that you don't know what you're going to say. Don't tell them that you had something planned, but you've chosen to do something else. Don't get up there and say that you're just going to wing it."

Whenever students begin a speech with one of these statements or a similar one, I have one prediction: pain.

It creates an awkward moment between the speaker and audience. It usually leads to rambling, then to false endings, and then to...well...pain (at least I feel it).

I think the best thing that a person can do if they're unprepared is to stand up in front of their peers and say this:

"Hi. You have one vote. My name is __________________ and I'm running for __________________. I'd like to ask you to use your vote and vote for me. Have a great day."

I would probably stand up and cheer if I heard a speech like that.