What You Can Learn From Great Speeches

Lincoln, Churchill and Reagan

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A keynote speech is typically 20 to 30 minutes. That's a huge challenge. It's tough enough to keep the attention of an audience for five minutes. No generation of people is more exposed to media. Attention spans are short.

Even if you've got a room full of 500 people at a dinner, they've got other options. Bored listeners will sneak out their iPhones and Blackberries and Droids.

Professionals who do this every day -- motivational speakers, stand-up comics, actors, presidential candidates -- often fail to hold an audience when they give a keynote speech. It's hit or miss. Mostly miss.

It's worth looking at the greatest speeches, the ones that connected with the audience and are studied in the history books. Because a keynote speech is one of the most challenging things you'll ever write or deliver.

What can we learn from great speakers?

1) Less is More

President Abraham Lincoln proves that a big speech doesn't have to be big and long. He packed power and purpose into the 278 words of the Gettysburg Address.

2) Passion and Resolve

Winston Churchill rallied a nation during World War II as Great Britain fought of Nazi Germany.

His speeches are the definition of passion and resolve.

3) Specific and Real People

President Ronald Reagan is known for connecting with audiences by telling stories about real people and using specific, concrete language.