Public Speaking–Truly an important life skill
Public speaking is a skill that both kids and adults use in their daily lives. In fact, no matter which occupation an individual holds, they will likely need to be able to speak confidently to communicate with a group of others in a public setting. Public speaking can range from casual to extremely formal; therefore, the level of preparation for the speaking will vary as well. In addition, public speaking is always centered around a central focus, or purpose, in the communication between the speaker and the public.
Whenever we give a speech (with or without visual aids), sales pitches, or maybe even accept awards, we employ public speaking techniques and skills. Public speaking is quite challenging for many people, due to the presence of a large audience listening intently to the speaker.
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Giving successful speeches
The purpose of giving a speech is to make your central points memorable in the minds of the audience. Believe it or not, the speaker’s posture, facial expression, and voice loudness can be even more important than the points the speaker lays out for the audience. To give a good speech, one must be prepared (unless if the speech is specifically planned as an improvisation speech). Leaving a good impression often requires that the speaker gives their speech fluidly so that in the eyes of the audience, the speaker is very capable of shaping their arguments in their own approach.
Successful speeches often require a powerful opening, or a central hook, that grabs the audience’s attention. Often, starting with a rather uncommon “fact or statistic” is a great way to draw attention. In fact, the detail in the hook can even be somewhat unpleasant, to imprint itself into the audience and allow them to follow the speaker into the next parts. Of course, the degree to which the detail is unpleasant depends largely on the context of the audience, what setting the speech is given, and also to an extent, how well the speaker can use the unpleasant fact with a sense of humor! The speaker never wants to offend anybody in the audience.
Also, whenever it is embraced, the speaker should be conversational, thus demonstrating to the audience the fluidity of their speech. Additionally, the speaker should make it lively and speak with passion. To accomplish this, the speaker must understand the points they are making in-depth and even will go to great lengths to make their points be heard. If the speaker accidentally makes an error or mistake, they should be patient and continue to work on their speech skills to prepare for the next time.
Remember, giving a speech is not easy work. The successful speechgivers make it seem easy, but in reality, they have also gone to great lengths, and spent much effort, to hone their public speaking skills.
Delivering speeches in sad conditions
In events such as eulogies, it can be difficult to deliver the speech. The speaker should speak with their true thoughts and prayers, but at the same time, be tactful, and even keep their own emotions under control. Typically, eulogies should be rehearsed beforehand and should be limited to just a few (two to three) main points. “A eulogy should not be the chronology of a life but a tribute to it.” Be sure to include meaningful anecdotes or quotes of the deceased person, and make it inspiring.
Delivering Sales Pitches
In other public speaking opportunities, such as sales pitches, the main purpose is to persuade. The speaker should be motivated to sell a product or concept; if they are successful, they can “open the door to professional opportunities.” Sales pitches should include important information, support claims with logic, and a call to action.
It is also important to use compelling visual aids, as they clarify sales pitch “speeches.”
As for the question-and-answer period, it is still important to prepare beforehand, so that the most commonly asked questions are expected. If some questions are based on false premises or irrelevant assumptions, be sure to reply with politeness, and ask the questioner to further explain their question. Lastly, it is important to divide complicated questions into multiple simpler sections, in order to give the audience a chance to digest all of the information.
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Conclusion
We all use public speaking skills in different settings and contexts in our lives. Regardless of an individual’s role in society, or the occupation they hold, they will likely have to employ public speaking skills in some way. Always remember that public speaking is naturally challenging and not straightforward to master. However, through hard work and dedication, we will most certainly improve ourselves. Lastly, public speaking is always centered around a main theme, or purpose, that the speaker should know very well about.