Which statement is NOT good advice for using statistics in a speech?

• A. Use statistical material sparingly
• B. Explain the significance of the statistics
• C. Choose to use one of the main sections of your speech devoted to statistical material
• D. Use visual aids to present statistics

Answer: (C)

Choosing to devote an entire main section of a speech solely to statistical material is generally not considered good practice because it can overwhelm the audience with excessive numbers and data, potentially leading to disengagement. Effective communication in public speaking prioritizes clarity and audience understanding, and heavy reliance on statistics can detract from the overall message.

Instead, integrating statistics strategically throughout your speech can help to enhance key points without overshadowing your core message. This approach also allows you to use statistics to support your arguments while maintaining a narrative that is engaging to the audience. By interspersing important data with explanations and context, you create a balanced and more relatable presentation that keeps the listeners' attention.