A great speaker doesn’t just present ideas—they advocate for them passionately with supporting evidence, anecdotes, stories, etc. while also prosecuting weak arguments, doubts, and mental resistance. An effective speaker proactively anticipates audience questions and preemptively answers the most burning / crucial ones. They advocate for a proposition and also prosecute the same. It means to give supporting evidence for and also to argue why the evidence against while present may not cover the whole picture. Here’s what you need to know to do what the best silently do on stage. This understanding of what great speakers do and how they do it will help you to advocate and prosecute the right way when presenting ideas, teaching, selling a product / project / service or vision so that you get buy in.
1. The Speaker as an Advocate – Persuasion and Influence
- They champion their ideas with conviction and clarity.
- They build a compelling case for their message, using logic, emotion, and credibility. It is usually a great approach to paint a picture here using stories, case studies, anecdotes, analogies, parables
- They inspire belief by showing why their perspective matters. They also foster credibility with statistical stories, referencing credible prominent thinkers, using research findings etc.
Example: A keynote speaker advocating for innovation might say, “The companies that thrive are those that embrace change. If we resist, we risk being left behind. This is exactly what happened to the American photography giant Kodak when it failed to make the change from photographic film cameras to digital ones.”
2. The Speaker as a Prosecutor – Challenge and Dispel Doubt
- They anticipate objections and dismantle counterarguments.
- They challenge flawed reasoning, misconceptions, or resistance to change.
- They expose the consequences of inaction or holding on to outdated beliefs.
Example: That same speaker might prosecute doubt by saying, “Some may think innovation is too risky. But history shows that the real risk is staying the same while the world moves forward. We really have just two options; innovation or extinction.”
Why This Balance Matters
- If a speaker only advocates, they might come across as biased or unrealistic.
- If a speaker only prosecutes, they might seem overly critical without offering solutions.
- Masterful communicators do both—they passionately promote their message while skillfully addressing skepticism and resistance.
🔹 Want to be more persuasive? Next time you prepare a speech, ask:
✔️ How can I advocate for my idea with passion, evidence and clarity?
✔️ What doubts or objections need to be prosecuted and dismantled?
This mindset turns a speaker into a trusted, compelling, and unstoppable communicator. That can be you. Great thinkers always stand in the shoes of both sides to bring out points for and against their ideas.
