“If I ever finish a speech and I can still stand up, then it was a lousy speech.”

- Tom Peters

via: http://coachlisab.blogspot.com/2007/05/when-speaking-is-exhausting.html

As a speaker, to give value to the audience, you need to be able to build a connection with the audience that facilitates the transfer of information. In an effective presentation, as you the speaker provide value, the audience you are speaking with provides feedback on that value, which assists in the flow of information between you and the audience. The Value / Feedback loop can only be built when there is a connection between you the speaker and the audience to which you are presenting.

http://mytoastmastersblog.com/2008/11/11/why-connection-is-so-important-in-speaking-the-value-feedback-loop/

If you have access to one of the World Championship of Public Speaking DVDs, go through the DVD, watching each of the ten speeches, and evaluate as if you were a judge. Then compare your top 3 with the top 3 of the contest. Rather than just doing it in your head, this way will show if the speaker you really thought met the judging criteria was the best.