As a speaker, it is important to learn how to deliver statistics in your speech. Imagine this. You are giving a speech on the impact of malnutrition in several third world countries, and you get to the statistics of children affected by malnutrition in the last one year, and after you quote the incredulously high number, there is no reaction from the audience – only blank stares, and confused grimaces.

If this has ever happened to you, or something similar, you are not alone. You are just one of the several hundred who have fallen prey to the classic problem of not knowing how to deliver statistics. As stated in “virtual speech,” two in three first-time speakers will fall prey to this conundrum. And, often, people go home thinking their audience is a collection of heartless people who do not understand suffering. Don’t blame the audience; blame your presentation.

The actual problem is that you did not use the statistic in a way that makes your audience appreciate them. This often happens when speakers do not place any iota of emphasis on their key statistical points while presenting a speech.

In this article, I will show how to deliver statistics during your speech or presentation. But first, let us consider some reasons why it is important to incorporate statistics in your speech in the first place.

Why Statistics?

A speech is just another opinion without data to support it. And statistics are persuasive form the data that gives substance to a speech. In many ways, adding statistical data to your speech increases the integrity and persuasive power of the. Public speakers add statistics to their speech for the following reasons:

• To make the speech memorable: People are bound to remember a speech that contains statistical data (when used properly) than they are to remember one that does not.
• Statistics add reality to the speech: You can address an audience about the spread of a dangerous virus, and none of them would flinch until you provide data on how many people have been killed by that virus and the possibility of them being affected by the virus.
• To achieve emotional impact: The use of statistical data in speeches improves the potential to achieve an emotional impact on the audience.
• Statistics help boost your credibility: When your speech contains verifiable statistics, it can help boost your credibility among the audience. When people verify your statistics and find them from multiple reliable sources, it strengthens your credibility.

Now, 5 things to do when delivering Statistics during a presentation.

1. Dramatic pause before and after the statistic

When you approach the point where you need to mention your statistical report, a dramatic pause before the statistic, and then after it, will get the attention of the audience and increase the possibility they will receive the statistic wholly. This dramatic pause should not be unnecessarily long and should not seem like you have forgotten your lines. Check my article on how to use pauses in your speech.

2. Your Tone should hint at the importance of the statistic

At the point where you are about to share that statistic, your tone should immediately reflect that what you are now sharing requires special attention. Use vocal variety to bring the statistics to life. Using monotone when giving statistics neutralizes its potency.

3. Uses graphics to show statistics

If you are using slides for your presentation, you should use graphics to deliver your statistics. Your graphic could be a chart, images, or diagrams that show a vivid illustration of the situation. If you are using a quote, then make the numbers and the source (credible source) of the data standout.

4. Enunciate your words clearly

To ensure the best impact, make sure to enunciate your words clearly, and in a way that everyone can easily grasp what you are saying even if there is no visual aid to help them follow you. When you speak clearly, especially when your slide is not so visible,  you help everybody in the room understand what you are saying.

5. Show magnitude with gestures and facial expressions

Gestures and facial expressions are powerful ways to transfer emotions to your audience. To drive your point home, show the magnitude of the statistics with gestures or use facial expressions, and your audience will feel it. Don’t overdo the gesture and facial expressions.

Always remember that statistics can be tricky. The effect the have on speech, and the impact on your audience depends on how you deliver them. And so, it is important to note that before using them in your speech, you verify them to ensure that they are accurate, and then you deliver them in a manner that will make your audience feel the number

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