Throughout the history of human civilization, people have been expressing their confidence and strength, not only by force, but also by the noble art of public speaking.
The orators of
ancient Greece were highly respected and valued in the community. Likewise,
today’s world leaders are admired and esteemed when they have the power to
address the public with poise and conviction.
Such a high regard
for public speaking makes the average person cringe at the idea of talking in
front of an audience no matter how big or small the size.
Whether giving a
toast at a wedding or delivering a speech to a large assembly, most people make
a big deal about public speaking and try to avoid it as much as possible. But
public speaking should not cause such a big fuss. Challenging as it may be,
public speaking can be done with a few simple guidelines.
Before Making the Speech:
Preparation
Like any other
endeavour, public speaking requires careful preparation to be successful. Many
people would dream of having those “inspired” spontaneous speeches seen in
movies; however, such scenes rarely happen in real life.
To have at least a
decent speech, one should plan well. Even the world’s most famous leaders
prepare for public addresses, and most even have teams to work on those plans.
Well, even if one
does not have a speech preparation committee one can prepare for public
speaking. First, one should know for what the occasion the speech is for. The
Gettysburg address would definitely not be appropriate for a wedding; thus, a
speech has to fit the event where it will be delivered to.
Second, one should
examine the audience who will witness the speech. An assembly of academics would
not take a perky speaker seriously; one should choose a suitable public
speaking style based on the audience.
Third, one should
ponder what is being expected in the speech. A farmer’s association would
usually not be interested on a speech about the intricacies of beadwork; one
should carefully study the subject matter to be tackled in public speaking.
Making the Speech: Writing
Again, dazzling
spontaneous speeches rarely happen in real life. Most good speeches have been
written before their delivery. While most noted public figures have
speech-writing committees, one can make a good speech even without the help of
a team of ghost-writers.
When writing for
public speaking, one should carefully organize the contents of the speech. It
usually pays well to begin with a very strong introduction. It is important to
catch the audience’s attention early to prevent them from being bored easily.
Next, the body should be purposeful.
The contents of the
speech should relate well and support each other. It is not good to digress too
much; though at times some deviations help attract attention when boredom
arises. Lastly, one should make a conclusion that sticks to the mind. No matter
how stirring a speech is, it is useless if the people forget it the instant,
they leave the gathering. Conclusions should give a concise but memorable recap
of the body.
The Actual Public Speaking:
Delivery
A written speech
would not be consummated without the actual public speaking itself. This is the
part most people are afraid of; but when proper planning and writing is done
well, the delivery should follow easily.
One must decide
whether to speak from memory or to use notes. Beginners should benefit from a
script or a guide, when one becomes more comfortable speaking in public, one
can start relying from memory.
Reading directly
from a script can be quite boring for the audience; thus, it is important to
keep constant contact with them. Speaking from memory is quite impressive, but
it can be difficult to avoid missing some parts of the speech. Speaking with
notes can be a good compromise so long as one is able to expound on the points
well. The choice of how to deliver the speech depends entirely on the speaker;
thus, it is important for one to weigh the options carefully.
Learning More About Public
Speaking
Several resources
could help one do well in public speaking. Several books and articles about the
topic have been published and they can well be accessed through the library or
the bookstore.
Many companies
offer public speaking training, and such services provide in-depth courses that
could help one speak well in public. There are also several articles and
courses available through the Internet, some of them are even posted for free.
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