Public Speaking Course:
Fake Facts and Statistics
A tip from my public speaking course is to state funny false information to
the audience as if it were absolutely true. I am sure you can think of something
to include in your presentation. Just remember when stating your false facts,
don't leave any doubt in the audience's mind whether you are being funny or not.
You can control the impression received by the audience from using the skills
learned in your public speaking course.
A deadpan expression, or
keeping a straight face, is a good way to give fake facts and statistics. Also,
you should really, really sound like you are trying to convince the audience
that what your saying is absolutely true. This overemphasis of the truth also
tells the audience you are lying.
One time during a Secretaries Day function I used a deadpan expression when I
told the audience how scientific studies had been done revealing that the only
reason executives became executives was because they couldn't make it as
secretaries. They loved it.
Another way you can build up your joke is to use official sounding sources
for the information. 'A study done for the Alaskan Pipeline Workers Union
indicated that 97.2 percent of Alaskan Pipeline Workers wear No Nonsense panty
hose.'
When using this type of humor, it is better to use 'exact numbers' which adds
an extra comic emphasis.
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