Unfortunately, how to speak well in public is not taught at school, and even in many specialized educational institutions this science is taught very mediocrely. You have to either master everything yourself, or arm yourself with the experience of masters. Well, the second option seems very interesting to us. From this collection you will learn what effective public speaking techniques, techniques and exercises are, what can improve your public speaking skills and how to become a good speaker. Of course, we are unlikely to exhaust the topic, but we are still happy to offer practical advice and recommendations.
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Closing a Speech: 9 Effective Techniques
Knowing how and being able to structure the beginning of a public speech is only half of your success. Completing a speech is considered an equally important skill in public speaking. If you use the techniques described below, your performance will be remembered for a long time, leave a pleasant impression and produce the desired effect. For a good completion, it is possible to use one technique, or only some of them, or all of them at once. The combination can be anything depending on your needs. Keep in mind that each subsequent move enhances the previous one. Some may seem very similar to you, but there are fundamental differences between them, although not very noticeable at first glance. Read more…
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BASIC RULES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
Rule 1: Preparation is the key to success
Any performance, even if it involves improvisation, requires preparation. Going out in public without the speaker understanding what he will be talking about is practically doomed to failure.
Here are a few stages of preparation:
- Formulate the topic of your speech or clarify what exactly the organizers are putting into the formulation of the proposed topic.
- Identify 3-5 key ideas that you want to convey to your audience. As a rule, organizers request abstracts for posting event announcements, and this is where you need to start preparing the text of your speech.
- Create a plan for your report. It can be presented in the form of text or a mental map, which allows you to visually represent the content of the report (Fig. 1).
Rice. 1. Example of a speech mind map
- Think about what information you will use to reveal each key idea (expert opinions, calculations, forecasts, facts, research, etc.).
- Follow the classic scheme for presenting the material: introduction (what the speech is about, what determines the importance and relevance of the chosen topic, the speaker’s introduction), the main part (key ideas, arguments and facts) and conclusion (summarizing, encouraging the audience to take action and gratitude).
- Prepare presentation materials if necessary. A presentation is always the “face” of the speaker, so use high-quality templates or involve a designer in the preparation. Try to avoid the key mistake of speakers - the presentation should contain illustrative materials, not the text of the speech.
- Be sure to take into account the timing of your speech when preparing so that the moderators do not have to interrupt you mid-sentence during the event.
- When preparing a report, avoid “lyrical digressions” so that your speech does not turn out to be empty and of no value to the audience. Follow the basic rules of oratory in public speaking.
Rule 2. Assess the level and determine the interests of the target audience
Different audiences require different terminology and depth of immersion into the topic. If a speaker speaks a lot, he rarely uses the same report and presentation; he adapts them to the needs and characteristics of the target audience. Therefore, when preparing, be sure to check with the organizers for a preliminary list of participants or a portrait of the event’s target audience. This will allow you to structure your report, focusing on the most interesting and relevant points for listeners. I also recommend studying the list of speakers and their stated topics in order to make the event as a whole the most interesting for the audience.
Rule 3. Research the venue in advance
If possible, visit the venue of the event to see with your own eyes the premises, seating arrangements, equipment, etc. If the event is held in another city, ask the organizers for photos, find them on the Internet, request a list of equipment and indicate your wishes (for example, a flip chart and colorful markers). Understanding the environment in which the performance will take place will allow you to prepare and avoid unpleasant surprises. If possible, rehearse your speech in the room where it will take place.
Rule 4. You can’t make a first impression twice.
During the first couple of minutes, event participants will judge you based on your appearance, so think carefully about your appearance. Be sure to take into account the format of the event - your confidence may be shaken if it is supposed to be a casual format, and you come in a formal business suit. Also pay attention to the phrases with which you begin your speech. In addition to a greeting, this could be a good joke or a couple of interesting facts.
Rule 5. Feedback (listener reaction)
During the performance, try not only to see, but also to feel feedback from the audience. Are they interested? Is the pace of your report too fast? Do participants leave the hall? Do they write down your abstracts? Are slides photographed? Adapt quickly to keep people's attention and prevent them from getting bored. Use pauses, ask the audience questions, joke appropriately, play videos, and more.
Rule 6. Remember the purpose of the speech
As a rule, listeners remember the most striking moments of a performance or its ending. Therefore, prepare in advance the phrases with which you will end your speech. Always remember why you came to the audience. If the goal is to obtain new clients, include information about the company’s competitive advantages in the text of the report, and at the end, invite them to cooperate and leave your contact information on the last slide. If you are presenting a project, ask event participants to express their opinions about it and indicate areas for development. If you want to draw attention to your expert position, invite people to become friends on social networks or subscribe to your newsletter on your website.
How to win the hearts of your audience: a cheat sheet for successful public speaking
Statistics say that the fear of public speaking is one of the top 5 most common human fears. Don't believe me? Ask yourself: would you like to present any material now, even to a small audience of 10-15 people? Most likely, you would rather sit in the audience, wouldn't you? And the main reason for this state of affairs is stress. Any performance in front of an audience is a test of stress resistance, because no one likes to be in an evaluation situation. In this article we will tell you how to make sure that the prospect of performing does not make you panic, and the performance itself always goes well. Read more…
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Types of public speaking by form and features of each of them
Oral public speech includes:
- Welcome . Dedicated to special or memorable events: opening of a conference, meeting of foreign colleagues, company anniversary, congratulations to the fair half of the team on International Women’s Day. She is emotionally colored. Its goal is to inspire listeners and set the right mood. Usually contains 4 stages: an appeal to the public, a brief description of the event, a discussion of achievements and prospects, wishes for the future.
- Informational . Often used for internal meetings and meetings. The speaker shares current news, reports how the workload is distributed, and notes the main and secondary tasks of employees.
- Trading . This is advertising in one form or another. The speaker’s goal is to clearly characterize the product, highlight 2-3 main qualities, emphasize uniqueness and inform the potential buyer about guaranteed and possible benefits. Before preparing, the speaker analyzes the consumer’s system of motives, thinks through which emotions are best to “play” on, how to attract and not lose the attention of listeners. Usually the statement takes the form of friendly advice, but there are other options. The main reasons for purchasing are repeated in different forms.
- Report at a meeting or meeting. This is a comprehensive message. Its goal is to form a definite opinion among the audience on any issue, to identify prospects, nuances, problem points and ways of resolution. A brief analysis of the situation is often offered. The manager can report on the company's performance over a certain period of time.
Dialogue types of oral public speaking include:
- Interview.
- Negotiation.
- Discussions.
- Meetings.
- Press conferences.
Oratory: exercises
Many of us would like to have public speaking talent: the ability to speak beautifully and persuasively and present our ideas can greatly improve everyone's life. But what steps do you need to take towards becoming an outstanding public speaker? This is where special exercises come to the rescue. They relate to voice, breathing, articulation, diction and other components that are of great importance for any performance. There are very few of them, even this amount is quite enough to improve your speaking skills and learn to be a charismatic and memorable speaker. Read more…
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Rhetoric: how to make your speech effective?
We all have to speak in public. Some perform in front of an auditorium of several thousand people, others in front of a dozen colleagues, and for others the audience for their speech is limited to family members. But we all constantly communicate and put forward our ideas, present them and defend them. How to make your speech effective and convincing? How to make people want to listen to you? How to grab attention and not let go until the end of your speech? What rules, means and techniques are there for this? You will find the answers in this article. Read more…
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How to overcome fear of speaking
The ability to speak publicly is the most valuable skill of a modern business person. Representatives of many professions, due to their duties, are faced with the need to speak in front of an audience quite often. Communication is the basis of social connections; without speaking abilities it is very difficult to achieve a positive result for yourself in working with other people. Given the importance, responsibility for the outcome also increases. This rightly explains the fear of public speaking, but, as many public speaking teachers believe, it can be overcome. In this article you will find useful tips on how to overcome and overcome the fear of public speaking, even in front of the most demanding audience. Read more…
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Rules for beginners
Let us highlight the most basic theses:
- Speech preparation is the most important secret of oratory and rhetoric. Many rhetoric experts call preparation the main rule of successful speech.
- In the beginning, first of all, you need to be able to present yourself, create your own personal brand - such as that of film actors or political figures. You need to suppress the natural psychological fear of public speaking, and to do this, practice more of it.
- It is useful to polish your art on loved ones, friends, acquaintances - all those who will be able to listen and listen to a novice speaker. Under no circumstances should you memorize or sight read.
- During your speech, you should not try to overwhelm those around you with the power of your intellect: this will, rather, help you make enemies rather than make friends. It is much more effective to rely on certain examples, positive emotions, communication, communication, intonation, to convince, but not to force.
- It is very important to look people in the eyes - this will bring more necessary benefits than hundreds of beautiful phrases and appeals.
Video - public speaking training - tips and exercises from a professional actor
Oratory speech can have different goals of influencing the listener and there are:
- informational, from the first minutes introduces new facts, information, knowledge;
- entertaining, has a fun character;
- persuasive, in which the speaker must seek agreement, convince the listener with his point of view and wants to convince him of something;
- uplifting, emotionally inspiring;
- calling to action, agitating to take action.
The main mistakes of novice speakers
- Small vocabulary:
the text has to be literally memorized, there is no room for improvisation; - Parasitic words
that often slip through when a person is nervous during a speech or has forgotten what he wanted to say next; - Confused speech:
a person speaks too quickly or too slowly, makes long pauses, begins to speak quietly or, on the contrary, loudly, experiences excitement, feels fear; - Monotony:
speech is too bland, interaction with the public is zero, everyone is bored.
Our task is to understand what mistakes are made and eradicate them in every possible way. With regular practice, the acquired skills will be mastered to the point of automatism, and you will no longer have to control and discipline yourself. A sign of oratory is the ability to hold the attention of the public and, if necessary, to improvise with ease.
Therefore, it is important to maintain a balance: on the one hand, gradually accumulate knowledge in this area, on the other hand, do not forget about practical lessons. You can read a hundred books on rhetoric, get acquainted with different theoretical approaches and methods, but if you do not speak - in front of a mirror, in front of a familiar audience, etc. - then the result will be zero. In order to quickly overcome the fear of public speaking, try to use every opportunity to “push your speech”: say toasts, go to public lectures and ask questions from the floor, express your position at work planning meetings, etc.
It is also very important to constantly analyze the performances - your own and others. Record your speech on a voice recorder, then find errors and shortcomings and think about how they can be corrected. Analyze other people's speeches, answer questions: what did I like and dislike, what techniques did the speaker or presenter use to improve the perception of information?
Modern oratory is characterized by such a feature as the choice and use of the correct tone of communication. This helps to present information in an intelligible form and find contact with the audience; this happens directly when voicing thoughts.
Feedback
Ask your friends to comment on your performance, because an outside perspective is very useful. Let them tell you what they liked and what they still need to work on.
Useful exercises for developing improvisation skills
- Take any text and cross out any words with a pencil. Read a passage of text out loud and, in place of the crossed out words, come up with synonyms as you go.
- Choose any topic that interests you. Time yourself and speak your thoughts and ideas about this for five minutes. Moreover, you should speak measuredly, without hesitation.
- A more complex exercise is improvisation on some unusual, almost fantastic theme. Try to reveal it as much as possible, in the smallest details.
- Choose different words from the dictionary and tell them in your own words what they mean.
- Choose any word and select five adjectives for it.
These exercises will help increase your vocabulary, develop creativity, and the ability to improvise during a performance.
Watch your speech and get rid of all those “sort of”, “well”, “uh”. They indicate uncertainty and the inability to correctly express one’s thoughts.
Improvisational speaking skills
Public speaking is always a cause for extreme stress. If you have a lot of time to prepare, you can study your topic thoroughly and reduce some of the stress. If you don’t have time, this can lead to stupor and complete frustration. This is why the ability to improvise is so important: it increases self-confidence, allows you to look and be at ease, perform with dignity and save face even in the most unexpected situations. In this article, we've put together five strategies for practicing and improving your improvisation skills. Read more…
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The art of public speaking: exercises to help overcome fear
- If your knees or hands are shaking, imagine that they are covered with drops of water that you need to shake off. Make a couple of characteristic movements.
- Rehearse in advance how you will stand. Your basic position is with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms along your body, elbows slightly tucked, palms facing the audience. The leading leg is half a foot in front. Mentally pull yourself up.
- Invite someone you feel comfortable with: your wife or husband, a close friend or best friend, a sister. Someone who will not evaluate you, but only support you. When going out to the audience, imagine that you are telling the story for him alone.
- Due to anxiety, public speeches are always delivered very quickly: it seems to you that you are speaking at an average pace, but the listeners will get the impression that you are chattering. To avoid this, deliberately slow down your speech for an hour before speaking. This way you normalize the pace.
And remember, the key to a successful event is careful preparation for it. Rehearse gestures, poses and, of course, the report itself. When you learn what you need to say by heart, it will be much easier to deviate from the intended plan - make a joke, address the audience, or examine some issue in more detail. The confidence that you can return to your plan at any time will help you cope with anxiety.
Useful tips
- Many experts advise to sincerely admit your fear. This is unacceptable in business communication.
- If you don't know the correct answer to a question, redirect it to the audience and explore the possible options together. The formula “I don’t know” is a bad ally.
- Don't get carried away with pointing gestures. The best gestures are those that merge with the content of speech. The movement of your hands should not distract listeners from the meaning of what is being said.
- Change your positions, but don’t walk around the room from side to side.
Online program "Modern Rhetoric"
In 8 weeks in this program, you will master and learn how to apply traditional and modern rhetoric techniques for speeches, presentations, vlogging, stand-ups and much more. You will learn to speak clearly, distinctly, control your voice, behave correctly on stage and work with the audience, cope with public fear, prepare a good speech - from planning and searching for material to the actual text of the speech, and master many other important skills related to performances. Find out more...
We wish you strength to overcome any fears, and endless inspiration to learn everything you want!
We also recommend reading:
- Storytelling
- How to become a storyteller
- Techniques for maintaining audience attention
- 7 Practical Ways to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills
- How to learn to speak beautifully
- 4 speaker mistakes: reasons why speeches are not successful
- Preparing and delivering a speech
- Tips for working effectively with your audience
- How to win the hearts of your audience: a cheat sheet for successful public speaking
- Oratory: exercises
- The power of words in practice
Key words:1Rhetoric
