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Public speaking (sometimes termed oratory or oration) is the process
or act of performing a presentation (a speech) focused around an
individual directly speaking to a live audience in a structured,
deliberate manner in order to inform, influence, or entertain them.
What makes public speaking different than, say, just talking to a crowd
of people, is in the way information is conveyed. In public speaking, the
information is purposeful and meant to inform, influence or entertain a
group of listeners.
There are five elements of public speaking, and it basically boils down
to who is saying what to whom using what medium with what effect. In
other words, who is the source of the message. What is the message
itself. Whom is the audience, while the medium is the actual delivery
method and ending in the effect. Think of the effect as the speaker's
intent for the speech.
Public Speaking: The Early Years
• It all started with the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle back in the
300s BC. Aristotle discovered that in order to rally the citizens into
conformity, one needed to persuade people. This is what he
called rhetoric, and it's defined as the capacity to persuade people,
and he broke it down into three strategies:
• Ethos
• Logos
• Pathos
• Ethos is used when the source is credible and the speaker can show
authority over the subject matter.
• Logos is used when there are facts to support the argument requiring
that the audience use logic and deduction to decide on the strengths
of the speaker's argument.
Inductive and deductive approach
• Pathos is used for emotional appeals to gain audience acceptance.
Let's break down each by using examples.
Deductive vs Inductive
• I cut down on my calorie intake by 500 calories a day for a week. I lost
two pounds in that week. Therefore, if I cut down my calories by 500
a day every week, I will lose two pounds every week.
• This week I lost two pounds. I also ate 500 calories less per day. This
means that if I lost two pounds this week, it must be because I shaved
off 500 calories per day.
In either type of reasoning, nothing can be proved based on the facts. It
must be inferred, or assumed based on the information, by the
audience. This makes it of a more logical response to the speaker's
words based on the premises. The entire argument is believable
because each individual premise holds truth.
Public Speaking and Conversation
Contrasted
In a casual conversation, the language isn't formal and is more forgiving.
Although casual conversation may be exchanged to inform or persuade,
mostly it is for entertainment.
• In public speaking, it is more structured and generally takes on a more
formal language. The audience does not engage with the speaker. It is
structured and has time limits. And it takes careful planning and research.
Its delivery even has a purpose, and it can be to:
• Inform
• Persuade
• Entertain
• Inform-is sending information to the audience that they do not
already know
• persuade an audience by attempting to change the way the audience
thinks or behaves
• entertain, or to add humor or amuse the audience
Types of speeches
• Impromptu
• Persuasive
• Informative
• Motivational
• Special occasion speeches
A few more aspects to Public
speaking…
• Audience
• Delivery
• Style
• Body language
-facial expression
-eye contact
-gestures
-attire
Visual or audio – (presentation aid)
• Voice modulation
• Pronunciation, accent
Principles of Public speaking
• Perception
People want to listen to someone who is interesting, relaxed, and comfortable. In the
routine conversations we have every day, we have no problem being ourselves. Yet too
often, when we stand up to give a speech, something changes. We focus on the
“public” at the expense of the “speaking.” To become an effective public speaker, you
must do just the opposite: focus on the speaking and let go of the “public.” Think of it
as a conversation between you and the audience. If you can carry on a relaxed
conversation with one or two people, you can give a great speech. Whether your
audience consists of two people or two thousand and whether you’re talking about the
latest medical breakthrough or what you did today at work, be yourself; talk directly to
people and make a connection with them.
• Perfection: When you make a mistake, no one cares but you
Even the most accomplished public speaker will make a mistake at some
point. Just keep in mind that you’ll notice more than anyone in your
audience. The most important thing a speaker can do after making a
mistake is to keep going. Don’t stop and—unless the mistake was truly
earth shattering—never apologize to the audience for a minor slip. Unless
they are reading the speech during your delivery, the audience won’t know
if you left out a word, said the wrong name, or skipped a page. Because “to
err is human,” a mistake can actually work for you, because it allows you to
connect with your audience. People don’t want to hear from someone who
is “perfect;” they will relate much more easily to someone who is real.
• Visualization: If you can see it, you can speak it.
Winners in all aspects of life have this in common: they practice
visualization to achieve their goals. Sales people envision themselves
closing the deal; executives picture themselves developing new
ventures; athletes close their eyes and imagine themselves making
that basket, hitting that home run, or breaking that record. The same
is true in public speaking. The best way to fight anxiety and to become
a more comfortable speaker is to practice in the one place where no
one else can see you—your mind. If you visualize on a consistent basis,
your mind will become used to the prospect of speaking in public, and
pretty soon you’ll conquer any feelings of anxiety.
• Discipline: Practice makes perfectly good.
Your goal is not to be a perfect public speaker. There is no such thing.
Your goal is to be an effective public speaker. Like anything else in life,
it takes practice. We too often take communication for granted
because we speak to people everyday. But when your prosperity is
directly linked to how well you perform in front a group, you need to
give the task the same attention as if you were a professional athlete.
Remember, even world champion athletes practice every day.
• Description: Make it personal.
Whatever the topic, audiences respond best when speakers
personalize their communication. Take every opportunity to put a face
on the facts of your presentation. People like to hear about other
people’s experiences—the triumphs, tragedies, and everyday
humorous anecdotes that make up their lives. Tell stories. Whenever
possible, insert a personal-interest element in your public speaking.
Not only will it make your listeners warm up to you, but it will also do
wonders at putting you at ease. After all, on what subject is your
expertise greater than on the subject of you?
• Inspiration: Speak to serve.
For a twist that is sure to take much of the fear out of public speaking,
take the focus off of yourself and shift it to your audience. After all,
the objective is not to benefit the speaker but to benefit the
audience, through teaching, motivation, or entertainment. So in all of
your preparation and presentation, you should think about your
purpose. How can you help your audience members achieve their
goals?
• Anticipation: Always leave them wanting more.
Always make your presentation/speech just a bit shorter than
anticipated. If you’ve followed the first six principles outlined here
you already have their attention and interest, and it’s better to leave
your listeners wishing you had spoken for just a few more minutes
than squirming in their seats waiting for your speech finally to end.
source
http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/Seven-Principles-of-Effective-Public-Speaking.aspx
Approaching Structure
the audience • Intro • Body language
• Why? • Middle • Tone
• What ? • End
• Where
• How ?
Introduction