Archive for the 'Public Speaking' Category

The main stages of speech are - division, structure, and sections of the speech delivery. But the speech typically consists of

• The Introduction
• The Discussion, or Statement of Facts
• The Conclusion or Peroration.

The introduction:

By far introduction is the hardest part of the speech. You are doing many things at once: establishing rapport, introducing the topic, setting tone and pace for the discussion, getting off to a good start, generating interest etc.

Modesty and familiar, ensure that you and your messages come across with candor, humility and endear yourself.

Staying calm and in control is key.

There are three best ways to start your speech:

• Using an anecdote or story that breaks the ice, even use humor and establishes a connection
• Direct reference to the importance of the subject to the listener and their wellbeing in general establishing interest and perception of need.
• You could also try to show some personal interest in the lives and success, wellbeing of the audience – find a chord that resonates well with most in the room.

There are the steps you need to take to ensure you have a good handle on what you are talking and going to be talking about.

At first, these steps might seem like they are taking forever. The more you practice the easier it will become.

Putting the content where it belongs: Four steps to researching and gathering material

• Gathering
• Selecting
• Briefing/Organizing
• Memorizing

Gathering:

Own ideas, books and others sources, new material; research can all play into the content and body of what you are going to say. Take to experts and industry leaders to solicit other opinions and multiple perspectives.

• Writing things down is critical and can be a true lifesaver. There is no way you are going to remember everything.
• References, ideas, quotations and arguments have to put into words and structure in order for you to meaningfully share them with others.
• Look anywhere and everywhere in search of topical and relevant materials.

By all means do your own thinking. Fix your thought upon the text and subject, and try to penetrate to its vital meaning. Find the message for your own soul in it. Believe in the spirit of truth and learn to trust your own judgment.

Mental aspects are the most important factor in public speaking.

This factor helps to make the content about the speech clear.

General Knowledge - Behave like a thinker and know lots!

Background and extensive knowledge can be a lifesaver to any public speaker.

Read a lot and broaden your own prowess and arsenal as you go along.

This could easily include a wide range of subjects and viewpoints, even disciplines, like religion, law, philosophy, history, logic, and numerous other subjects.

A knowledge of a vast number of things is necessary, without which volubility of words is empty and ridiculous; speech itself is to be formed, not merely by choice, but by careful construction of words; and all the emotions of the mind, which nature has given to man, must be intimately known; for all the force and art of speaking must be employed in allaying or exciting the feelings of those who listen.

To this must be added a certain portion of grace and wit, learning worthy of a well-bred man, and quickness and brevity in replying as well as attacking, accompanied with a refined decorum and urbanity.

These are the most important factors in public speaking and speech in general. These factors improve the speech quality.

Here is the information about how to achieve these things together:

Health:

This is the stating point for many things in public speaking and speech in general. Strength and vitality matter, as does appearance.

It is of utmost importance that anyone involved in public speaking maintain this condition at all times. “Your health is a key part of what you do and a prerequisite for success and sustained results”.

Daily attention must be given to physical exercise, deep breathing, bathing, sleep, diet, and recreation.

The fundamentals and basics of the art of speech: elocution

The art of the ‘voice’ and of speaking publicly should be enabled by a firm handle and practice of the basics. Knowing what to do when is the key.

It should look natural and easy, flow subtly and not seem mechanical. Vocal training, practicing in front of a mirror and quoting experts all helped others keenly master this art and science until it became second nature.

Appearance:

Are you being candid? If you are being true, real and keeping it simple, you will be open and candid. They are like flipsides of a coin.

Mind, intention and character will all come together, synergized in and through, what and how you have to say and deliver something verbally!

Goals, Direction, and Intent… worded differently, encompass a clear aim and purpose…

There has to be a reason and goal, purpose and motivation for something ‘oratory’ to be deemed successfully delivered!

• Find out your strengths and capitalize on them.
• Being true and purposeful, deliberate and open is important. Deception and hidden agendas will NOT be acceptable.
• Being empathetic and understanding is critical as well.

Speaking up with ability and confidence…

You are your own best/worst enemy when in these public speaking situations. Are you tapping into your strengths and resourcefulness? You have only yourself to rely on when you are up there ‘speaking’.

You have to anticipate and be at the ready for anything. You should reflect and introspect as often as you can. You will have to plan and prepare EVERYTIME! Sometimes you will even have to make the choice to take the risk of failure if necessary.

The ability to see, envision and imagine, painting a verbal picture with words.

Calling into your minds eye and imagination vivid images and analogies, metaphors etc, is a powerful tool and utility to have that will make easy your public speaking more and more as you master and hone your craft. It can be mightily powerful.

Always try to picture and envision, see in your minds-eye and imagination what you are reading about.

Try and verbally describe and paint the picture to someone else. Write things you see and impressions you have in your own words.

A great way to exercise this skill is to often practice writing things from memory. Try and describe something around you vividly. Try a raging storm, a sea-landscape, a battle-scene in a movie, the starry sky at night, a camp-fire.

These will all help you hone and harness your visualization [Visualization Techniques] and projection qualities and abilities.

Paying attention and concentration…

Developing and keeping your interest in something will help you greatly when practicing and utilizing this skill. Typically there are things that get and keep our attention easily:

• Some things familiar and comforting

Moving up and down the scales and slides, nuances of your voice-range and scope will show your train of thought.

It helps the audience track better what it is that you are trying to say and convey.

If you want to pause or place emphasis on something, you will naturally feel your voice raise or go slightly higher.

The inflection in your tone and modality of your voice goes up. Monotone presentation is boring and excruciating to listen to. By using these tones in your voice, you can easily show how things differ. They tell a story.

This gliding up and down your vocal scale can be used to show that something is of importance, stands out and even be very direct and strongly voiced, put or expressed. Soft, wavy tones can show empathy and beauty, grace and understanding.

Here are the rules you have to remember when using inflection in public speaking:

The rational and valid uses of the rising inflection:

Here are some examples as to when the voice inflection going up is quite effective:

• When you are expressing any forms of doubt or possible contingency
• Incomplete sentences

Knowing when to giving prominence to words or parts of speeches to best let their meaning surface is another part of the public speaking art.

Putting the emphasis where it rightfully belongs:

Tactics to affect this is change in force, inflection, pitch, movement, pause, and feeling.

The below TWO aspects work closely together and have to be considered and practiced BOTH on their own and synergized together.

1. It is essential that you understand exactly what it is that you are saying and want to say
2. Practical use and mastery of placing emphasis where and when it belongs.

Understanding meaning, sequence, relation and importance is crucial.

Force and loud exclamation is often used to make a point when speaking to or in front of a large audience. This is oftentimes also underscored by lots of physical movements.

If you want to be and remain natural in your style regardless of the stage or size of the audience, inflecting and changing the tone of your voice is a great way of dealing with these issues of emphasis.

You do not have to shout or raise your voice or become animated or over-exaggerated.