ROGUE SIDE STORIES

What Are They?

How Do They Work?

by Bruce Carter

OBSERVATIONS

         The first time I saw this concept used, 

I was watching football games.

The quarterback had a note pad like device

strapped to his fore arm.

He would look at it between plays

and see what his notes said

about his play choices.

He may have been sacked hard

on the last play,

but he remained in control

of the game plan.

         I hadn't noticed this technique

until I realized

that Sarah Palin was looking at her forearm

along with a teleprompter.

During her vice presidential

acceptance speech,

the legend was that her teleprompter

went down,

and she continued her speech without missing a beat.

 AN ANOLOGY

Consider Legos.

A variety of colors and shapes can be assembled

to whatever is desired.

        Bullet points  for each speech segment

works the same way.

Being like mini-speeches they are easily

inserted into the main speech.

When Sarah Palin told a side story during

her vice presidential

acceptance speech, the press said  she was  going rogue.

But were her rogue stories pre-planned?

Being a professional speaker, her answer is 'yes'.

         By preparing your own Rogue Side Stories - or RSS -

you always have the components of a speech at  your fingertips. 

Attending a meeting and asked to say

a few words, 

combine a few Rogue Side Stories, and you have a mini speech.

         A planned speech means having a speech ‘in-the-can’.

When the speaker travels, the media 

will hear the same speech all week long.

         But! That canned speech can be taken to the next level

by inserting memorized and rehearsed Rogue Side Stories.

 AN IMPROMPTU SPEECH

When a speaker has 15 memorized RSS,

an impromptu speech will be successful in any venue

no matter who the audience is.

        Review your individual stories that make sense for the audience

you are addressing.

Place them in a certain order and

make notes

as to the order needed.

         When giving the speech, do your 'universal beginning,' 

 then go to your selected RSS.

For instance, when I discuss “global warming” or “climate change”

I put my RSS topics in different orders.

 Methane can be first, Carbon Dioxide second and Two Degrees last.

To break the monotony of a speaking tour,

I might change them to Two Degrees,

Carbon Dioxide and Methane last.

My presentation quality remains top notch

 as each

is “in-the-can” and ready to go as a speech or  even as a comment to an individual.

          Later, add topics as current

events require.

         As I write this, two policemen

were just killed in the line of duty.

A Rogue Side Story would be about defunding the police,

or replacing officers with social service professionals,

and then sending them to a home where a maniacal killer

is waiting for their arrival.

         You can imagine the impact of that presentation,

and ending it with the question:

“What the heck are 'defund the police' people thinking?”

       SUMMARY

With Rogue Side Stories, life is easier. 

As a speaker you will appear competent.

As a professional in your field talking with others,

Rogue Side Stories pay off.

Even having conversations in the local hang out,

you will sound informed.

Build your Rogue Side Stories!

See  Go Rogue! article