Public Speaking



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_speaking

Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners. In public speaking, as in any form of communication, there are five basic elements, often expressed as "who is saying what to whom using what medium with what effects?"

The purpose of public speaking can range from simply transmitting information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story. Good orators should be able to change the emotions of their listeners, not just inform them.

Public speaking is almost as ancient as speech itself. The first known textbook on the subject was written over 2500 years ago, and the principles elaborated within it were drawn from the practices and experience of orators in ancient Greece. These basic principles have undergone modification as societies and cultures have changed, yet remained surprisingly uniform.

Effective public speaking can be developed by joining a club such Rostrum, Toastmasters International, Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC) or International Training in Communication (ITC) in which members are assigned exercises to improve their speaking skills. Members learn by observation and practice, and hone their skills by listening to constructive suggestions followed by new public speaking exercises. These include:

Oratory
The use of gestures
Control of the voice (inflection)
Vocabulary, register, word choice
Speaking notes
Using humour
Developing a relationship with the audience

Effective leadership almost always requires the skill of good public speaking, and this can often make up for a lack of other skills. The ends to which this skill can be used vary greatly - Martin Luther King, Jr. was able to use oratory to have a significant impact on society, in his own choice of way.

The fear of public speaking is called glossophobia (or, informally, "stage fright"). It is believed to be the single most common phobia — affecting as much as 75% of the population. Fear of oration is ranked even above that of death.
 

Public Speaking
http://www.casaaleadership.ca/mainpages/resources/sourcebook/public-speaking.html

Effective public speaking skills can be learned by following a few simple points. A good speaker will be organized and have the confidence to present the substance of the speech to an audience. Being able to speak effectively is a valuable skill that can be learned as a student and applied later in life.


THE SPEECH RECIPE

The organized speaker will avoid the errors of people who talk in public but don't necessarily make good speeches. The organized speech will follow the following three point recipe:

·         HEADLINE

Capture your audience's attention by giving them a reason for listening. This establishes a theme for your speech and can be a provocative quote, statistic, or story. The thesis or main idea of your speech is then presented here and it relates to your theme. This is where you tell your audience what you are going to talk about.

·         MAIN BODY

Break your idea into separate points (three is suggested) that explain or support your thesis and expand upon your theme. This is where your audience is told about your topic.

·         ECHO

Revisit your headline and summarize your main idea by referring back to the points made in your main body. This provides your audience with a complete package and tells them what you have told them.


BETTER SPEECH TIPS

·         Don't point out your own mistakes. You are the expert on this topic during the time your speech is made.

·         Be yourself. Your audience will forgive your nervousness, but they will be turned off by false modesty or bravado.

·         Speak in the level of language that is suitable to the occasion. If the occasion demands a tux, then your words should be addressed appropriately.

·         Look for a creative angle on your topic. Capture your audience's attention this way.

·         Think and speak in outline terms. Avoid reading every word to your audience.

·         If you stumble, don't repeat sentences or phrases unless they are pivotal to your speech.

·         Finish your speech before your audience does. Don't overstay your welcome on the podium. An audience appreciates a short organized speech over a long rambling effort.

·         Be confident in presentation. A speaker's poise and confidence communicate as effectively as the words that are spoken.

The purpose of any form of communication is not to make the sender the object of praise or derision. It is the message that really counts. With good organization and a confidence in your topic, you will be able to address any audience and provide them with the substance of your communication.
 

SPEECH RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

Fill in the blanks in the following order and serve it to your audience
with a feeling of confidence and an eye on clarity.

How To Conquer Public Speaking Fear

    11 Hidden Causes Of Public Speaking Stress

1. Thinking that public speaking is inherently stressful ( it's not ).
2. Thinking you need to be brilliant or perfect to succeed ( you don't ).
3. Trying to impart too much information or cover too many points in a short presentation.
4. Having the wrong purpose in mind ( to get rather than to give/contribute ).
5. Trying to please everyone ( this is unrealistic ).
6. Trying to emulate other speakers ( very difficult ) rather than simply being yourself ( very easy ).
7. Failing to be personally revealing and humble.
8. Being fearful of potential negative outcomes ( they almost never occur and even when they do, you can use them to your advantage ).
9. Trying to control the wrong things ( e.g., the behavior of your audience ).
10. Spending too much time overpreparing ( instead of developing confidence and trust in your natural ability to succeed ).
11. Thinking your audience will be as critical of your performance as you might be.

            10 Key Principles To Always Keep In Mind

#1---Speaking in Public is NOT Inherently Stressful

#2---You Don't Have to be Brilliant or Perfect to Succeed

#3---All You Need is Two or Three Main Points

#4---You also Need a Purpose That is Right for the Task

#5---The Best Way to Succeed is NOT to Consider Yourself a Public Speaker!

#6---Humility and Humor Can Go a Long Way

#7---When You Speak in Public, Nothing "Bad" Can Ever Happen!

#8---You Don't Have to Control the Behavior of Your Audience

#9---In General, the More You Prepare, the Worse You Will Do

#10--Your Audience Truly Wants You to Succeed

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