> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.workroom-productions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# What Makes a Great Talk?
- URL: https://www.workroom-productions.com/what-makes-a-great-talk/
- Published: 2026-02-24T15:17:04.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-24T15:17:04.000Z
- Description: What has worked for for other people, and for us in the audience.
- Author: James Lyndsay
- Tags: Exercises, SpeakerPrep

*focussing on the positives*

## Exercise

Identify a session\* you loved. Share it.

Take 5 minutes to recall the session – try to recall the talk itself, not just its message or location or your response. Write down how it made its impact, and why that is important to you.

Share your thoughts (10 minutes + )

## Debrief

Any principles?

\`\* `session` – no fixed format. Best if it's testing related. Avoid sessions by people in the room, please.

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## From SpeakerPrep

*An in-person session, where we have materials to share. I'll update with materials when I find them...*

Use this exercise to share your principles, to share your inspirations, or to analyse some fine talks.

## Inspirations

Whose session has inspired you?

How did it inspire you?

Share your example, and we’ll add it to our list.

## Principles

What, for you, makes a great talk?

Consider your principles by finding specific examples of actions *you* take.

Consider your principles by remembering specific examples of things someone did while speaking that inspired you.

Put down the principles, and add them to our gallery.

## Analyse a talk

Watch a great talk (we have a list).

What are you watching for?

How does it manifest?

How can you help yourself, and others, to be brilliant in a similar way?

Add your principles to the gallery.