A GUIDE TO
PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS HOW TO BE A GREAT SPEAKER
MÓNICA MARÍN A.
Contents 03
Introduction
05
Types of Speech
07
The Audience
09
The Topic
11
The Speech
13
The Language
15
Visual Aids
16
Conclusion
17
Bibliography
intro duct ion
"The first time you say something, it's heard; the second time, it's recognized; the third time, it's learned." - John Maxwell
Why is public speaking important? Public speaking skills is a must and not a plus. If you think about it, you hear speeches every single day. In the news, on television, and as well in your daily life. It is important to be able to speak in public. If you want to be successful, you must be able to express your ideas in public. You might need to present something at work or maybe at college, in order to do so, you must be able to communicate the ideas correctly. In this paper, you will receive a guideline to create the perfect speech. As well, we will analyze the most important parts of a speech in order to be able to deliver it successfully.
Objectives To explain the types of speeches To analyze the types of audiences and possible responses To identify and select the technical and common language To recognize the best way to move while giving a speech To express the possible outcomes of a speech To develop the outline of a speech To develop and choose the right topic and supporting ideas for a speech
Types of Speech
"Picture yourself in a living room having a chat with your friends. You would be relaxed and comfortable talking to them, the same applies when public speaking." - Richard Branson Types of speeches According to The Oxford Dictionary, speech is "the expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds." There are three types of speeches; the informative speech, the persuasive speech, and the special occasion speech. Hereunder, you will find the description and examples of each one of them. In that way, you will be able to choose the right fit regarding the topic or message that you want to expose.
Speaking to inform It is the one that you use to inform, describe, explain or give new information to the audience. It might be regarding a topic, object, subject, concept or process. For example, a teacher giving a lesson or a workshop to explain a new process at work.
Speaking to persuade This kind of speech is about persuading the audience to believe the same thoughts as you. The speaker might try to change the perspective of the audience on a specific topic. For example, a great topic will be: being an organ donator is a great idea!
Speaking to entertain (special occasion) This one is used to entertain the audience. For example, a comedy show.
Analyzing the Audience
A good teacher, like a good entertainer, must hold his audience's attention. Then, he can teach -John Henry Clark his lesson. The Audience Before you begin writing the speech, you must have to analyze every single aspect of it. The audience, the topic, the language that you will use, everything. The audience is one of the most important parts because it depends on it if your speech is successful or not. You have to analyze the audience to be able to choose the right words in order to transfer the message in a correct way. For example, if a doctor is going to a high school to explain ETS diseases, he or she might have to use simple words and not technical words due to the knowledge of the students, they might not understand it.
Questions to analyze the audience Where is the speech going to take place? What is the age of the audience? What is the sex of the audience? What is the amount of people that will be attending? What education degree does the audience have?
Tips -First of all, identify the general information of the audience -Identify the possible knowledge that the audience has about the topic -Identify the possible issues with the topic selected -Create a connection with the audience, for example, you might say a story or a joke -If you are using technical words, you might explain afterward, so that way they can understand it and learn something new
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Choosing a Topic
There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience. – Alexander Gregg The Topic Sometimes, you are required to speak in public because you are asked for it at work or in a conference, so the topic has already been chosen for you. If that is the case, it would easier because you will have the topic right away, and the only thing that you have to do is to research about it and choose how to deliver it to the audience. But, sometimes you will have to present something at college and probably you will the ability to chose the topic that you want to expose. That can be something difficult to do, so in this paper, you will have a guideline to choose the right topic for you.
Steps to select the right topic -Consider the objectives: You will have to analyze the occasion and the purpose of the speech. -Consider the audience: You will have to analyze the knowledge of the audience and what topics will be a great fit for them. As well, you have to identify the topics that you have to avoid according to the audience you have. -Consider the needs and interest of the audience: Try to pick something that might be appealing to the audience. -Pick a topic that you expert in it: Try to choose a topic that you have knowledge about it. -Consider the timely
Specific questions Am I an expert on this topic? Am I passionate about this topic? Does my audience care about this topic?
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Creating the Outline
There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave. –Dale Carnegie
The speech As you see, there are different types of speeches. It depends on the topic that you have chosen to give. After you have you have analyzed the audience and chosen the right topic. You can go ahead and write the outline of the speech. Basically, you have to create a thesis statement and select the supporting details that you want to mention throughout the speech. Hereunder, you will find an example of an outline.
-Title: It has to be appealing and it has to give a brief conclusion of the topic -The topic: Selected subject -Identify the audience: Analyze the audience as we have explained before -General objective: The main goal to achieve with the speech -Specific objectives: Specific goals to achieve with the speech 1. Introduction: Give a brief summary of the speech. As well, it has to appear the thesis statement 2. Thesis statement: The premise that will be maintained or proved 3. Supporting details: Here you will have to choose at least three main supporting details to explain or mention in the speech. 4. Conclusion: Give your opinion on the subject according to the supporting ideas mentioned. As well, remember to mention the thesis statement again in order to highlight the main idea of the speech.
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The Right Language
He who wants to persuade should put his trust not in the right argument, but in the right word. The power of sound has always been greater than the power of sense – Joseph Conrad
The Language As we have been mentioned, the language used in the speech is highly significant because it will help you to convey the main idea or argument. Also, the writing has to be appealing, but depending on the audience it does not have to be technical. You have to be careful about while you are writing the paper. The arguments have to be well written to explain them throughout the speech. Hereunder, you will find a couple of questions to choose the right language to describe the topic.
-Does the Thesis Statement is well written? Does it transmit the central argument? -Are the supporting details clear? Are they adding a point to the main idea? -Are your facts memorable? -Are your stories or jokes relevant to the premises?
The Tone of voice According to the Oxford Dictionary, "The tone of voice is the modulation of the voice expressing a particular feeling or mood." While you are speaking, you must remember using the right tone. You do not have to be flat and as well you do not have to scream. You have to able to transmit your feelings and thoughts correctly.
Body Language "I speak two languages, Body and English." -Mae West Remeber that you have to match your gestures with your words. It is like a melody and you have to be aware of it.
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Creating Visual Aids
If you don’t know what you want to achieve in your presentation your audience never will. – Harvey Diamond
Visual Aids Sometimes, visual aids are not important. You have to be able to explain a topic without any backup, but it is really helpful as well. For you and the audience. If you are going to use a presentation, try to do it well-done. It has to be appealing. As well, remember not to read it, use it just to be a background of your speech.
Tips -Simplify the number of words on each screen. -Limit the number of slides. -Avoid the use of flashy transitions such as text fly-ins. -Have a Plan B in the event of technical difficulties. -Do not speak to your slides. -Practice with someone who has never seen your presentation. -Do not apologize for anything in your presentation.
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Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Conclusion To wrap, as you know, public speaking is highly important in life. You might have to give a presentation at work or maybe at college and you have to be able to give it correctly. If you are nervous that is fine. It is totally normal, just try to prepare your self and analyze each of the subjects that have seen in this paper. Remember to analyze the audience, to create an outline, to choose the right topic according to the audience, as well remember to practice a lot in order to use the right words, pauses, the tone of voice, and try to express yourself with your body.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Conclusion Beebe, S. and Beebe, S. (n.d.). A concise public speaking handbook.
Collins, P. (2013). The art of speeches and presentations. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
Ncsl.org. (2018). Tips for Making Effective PowerPoint Presentations. [online] Available at: http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislativestaff/legislative-staff-coordinating-committee/tips-formaking-effective-powerpoint-presentations.aspx
Oxford Dictionaries | English. (2018). English Dictionary, Thesaurus, & grammar help | Oxford Dictionaries. [online] Available at: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/
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