| Do you really want to improve in your communication | | | | complicated sentence structure is avoided a sentence |
| skills? Then apply KISS! | | | | will be simple and easy to understand. |
| What's KISS? | | | | So when delivering your presentation remember to |
| Organizing genius Kelly Johnson who took a leading | | | | split up longer thoughts into separate sentences, rather |
| role in the design of 40 aircraft, first coined the | | | | than linking them all together in a continuous style. |
| acronym KISS - "Keep it simple stupid." Once Johnson | | | | For example, suppose you were giving a presentation |
| set a team of jet aircraft design engineers a challenge. | | | | to college students on the importance of goal setting. |
| Handing them a set of tools, he asked them to design | | | | You could say: "One thing we have to realize is that if |
| the aircraft so that an average mechanic in the field, | | | | we don't set goals it is unlikely we will get anywhere |
| equipped solely with this set of tools, could carry out | | | | because if we don't know where we are going we will |
| the necessary repairs. Oh, and it also had to be | | | | be a little bit like a boat on a river just drifting away |
| possible under combat conditions! | | | | from the bank being carried along by the current that |
| The KISS acronym has been used widely since, with | | | | happens to catch it at the time." |
| various interpretations. | | | | Phew! |
| When it comes to your public speaking and for your | | | | Notice how much more effective this thought is when |
| presentation to have the desired effect, it must be | | | | it is expressed in simple sentences: |
| simple. | | | | "Goals get you to your destination. Without goals you |
| Here are 2 guidelines for keeping it simple: | | | | could end up anywhere. Who wants to be like a boat |
| 1. Avoid Jargon And Unfamiliar Terms | | | | drifting on a river just carried along by the current." |
| Unless your audience is made up of specialists in the | | | | Notice with the trimmed version above, unnecessary |
| field you are talking about, avoid technical terms and | | | | wordage such as "One thing we have to realize is |
| acronyms the average person has no idea about. | | | | that" is left out. It adds nothing to the clarity of the |
| Some make the mistake of thinking it makes them | | | | message and amounts to useless 'filler'. |
| appear sophisticated, knowledgeable, and educated. | | | | Just get straight to the point and say what you mean. |
| Actually, it can have a far different effect on an | | | | So Remember... |
| audience. | | | | Avoid the tendency to drown excellent information in a |
| Some may perceive the speaker to be pompous or | | | | sea of words. Use a variety of sentences, long and |
| just a plain 'show-off'. Others may get irritated, wanting | | | | short, but make sure they are uncomplicated. Be sure |
| to understand the speaker's dialogue but getting | | | | to explain unfamiliar terms or avoid jargon altogether. |
| frustrated with the road blocks the speaker keeps | | | | Keeping the KISS principle in mind in the preparation |
| putting in the way. | | | | stage of your presentation will make sure your own |
| Many will just 'switch off' and not even attempt to | | | | mind is sharp and focused. Then you can be sure your |
| concentrate from there on, believing this is all 'over their | | | | presentation will come over that way to your listeners |
| head'. | | | | also. |
| 2. Use Simple Sentences | | | | Remember to add the "Keep It Simple" principle to |
| Using simple sentences does not mean speaking | | | | your list of communication skills. As Leonardo Da Vinci |
| continuously in short bursts. | | | | is quoted as saying: "Simplicity is the ultimate |
| A simple sentence can be short. It can also be longer, | | | | sophistication. |
| perhaps between 15 to 25 words. As long as | | | | |