Making a Talk Memorable – Part 1: A Through-line

“I have a dream…”

These words were stated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. While the phrase is short and simple, only four words, it has come to be one of the most recognizable and renowned speeches in all American history. In fact, chances are good that even upon reading those four words, your mind conjured the sound of Dr. King’s voice as broadcast from his spot in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

However, this post is not about the historical significance of a speech by Dr. King. This speech does, however, pose the ultimate example of using a through-line in a talk to help make a lasting impact.

A through-line, by definition, is just what it sounds like. It is a line of reasoning, a repeated statement or illustration that, like a thread, is woven throughout different parts of your talk. While few people will ever have a message that resonates as far and wide as Dr. King, that should not keep you from exploring the use of a through-line for your next speech, lesson, pitch, or sermon.

Consider these potential examples:

In an effort to promote volunteerism, your introduction includes a story about how as a youth, you wanted nothing more than to get off the bench and get in the game. This phrase, “get in the game” becomes woven throughout your talk even including it as a part of the end as a call to action.In a lesson about the functions and importance of Human Resources, perhaps you have a line such as, “Without your people, you don’t have a business. Who in your business is caring for your people?”In a speech to high school students about kindness, you demonstrate the throwing of a boomerang. Without explicitly making the statement, you are able to throw the boomerang throughout the talk demonstrating how acts of kindness will ultimately come back to you.

A through-line can take various forms, and does not need to be as overt as “I have a dream.” However, the usage of a rhetorical tactic like a through-line can provide a great way to make your talk memorable and increase its impact.