woman speaking at podium during convocation
closeup photo of a woman's mouth speaking

the speaking center at agnes scott college

Speaking Center News

We’ve Got MAIDS On Our Minds

by Alice Ferron

Have you ever wanted a quick solution to crafting the perfect presentation? Then want no more and think MAIDS or MIDAS. The up to date speaker can use these acronyms interchangeably to help them remember the five canons of rhetoric. We’re at a women’s college so let’s go with MAIDS. statue of aristotle

Note that memory does not entail you memorizing your entire presentation. At the Speaking Center we recommend extemporizing, or using a key word outline to trigger your memory while you present. Of course, we want you to practice, but extemporizing guarantees a fresh delivery each and every time you present.

Arrangement refers to basic organization. Keeping the "A" in mind will help you guarantee that your presentation follows our guidelines, and includes an introduction, conclusion, body paragraphs, and transitions. A good arrangement will guarantee that your speech is easy for your audience to follow.

When it comes to narrowing down a topic, citing sources, and adapting your presentation to a given rhetorical situation, we suggest you keep invention in mind. Invention refers to the argumentative and persuasive aspects of rhetoric and will guarantee that your message will come across to your audience in a clear and credible manner.

Delivery, probably the most well known canon, guarantees that a speaker’s presentation is pleasant to listen to. Eye contact, a fun attention getter, and vocal variety are a few ways in which a speaker can achieve a good delivery.

Finally, we come to style. Style chiefly concerns itself with language. To accomplish impeccable style experiment with the words you use, fashion what you’re saying with how you are saying it. We also love stylistic devices. For example, if you use a rhetorical question for a transition, transition this way each and every time. Repetition is one of our favorite stylistic devices.

If you have any questions about any aspect of MAIDS (or MIDAS) we’re here to help. At the Speaking Center we always have MAIDS on our minds.