What is public speaking? This is the art of public speaking with the goal of convincing the listener of a particular idea using a combination of various techniques. The art of rhetoric itself originated in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome and underwent many changes under the pressure of changing eras.
The importance of rhetoric for human life remains unchanged. Public speaking, first and foremost, teaches you how to be confident and how to instill that confidence in your audience. Good speakers achieve their desired heights in any field, be it their own business or a teaching career.
Rhetoric opens many doors to new opportunities, but becoming a speaker does not happen overnight. In order to master this art, rhetoric training is necessary, which can be completed independently or in specialized classes. This article examines the main pillars of the art of rhetoric.
Where to begin?
How often have you noticed that you are unable to express your thoughts due to an insufficient vocabulary? The reason is not necessarily hidden in lack of education and a poor vocabulary, although these factors are critically important in the ability to convince interlocutors and win them over to your side. But most often the matter is the lack of basic conversational skills. A large amount of knowledge and reasonable thoughts are not enough if you do not know how to quickly select the right words and improvise depending on your opponent’s objections.
Fortunately, everything can be corrected with simple but regular exercise. Left alone, pay attention to any object in the interior - a table, a houseplant, a teapot, a pencil. Record your time and try to talk about this subject for at least 3 minutes. Describe it, tell us about its characteristics, try to prove to your imaginary interlocutor how important and useful this thing is, how it can be used. All this needs to be spoken out; it is very useful to practice in front of a mirror - this way you can monitor your facial expressions and gestures.
At first it will be funny and difficult, but gradually you will learn. When you start to notice that 3 minutes is not enough, increase the time - do 10, 15, 20 minutes. From things you can move on to more serious topics. Talk about your impressions of a book you read, a thought or idea you heard. Gradually, you will learn and be able to confidently express an opinion on any subject, without repeating yourself, without being embarrassed, and without bringing up new arguments.
Types of eloquence
Depending on the composition of the audience and the topic, eloquence is divided into types:
Oratory speech can have different goals of influencing the listener and it happens:
- informational, introduces new facts, information, knowledge;
- entertaining, has a fun character;
- persuasive, in which the speaker seeks the listener's agreement with his point of view;
- uplifting, emotionally inspiring;
- calling to action, agitating to take action.
Get rid of the words of parasites
Words are parasites - the most insidious enemy of oratory. They appear in your speech unnoticed, at moments when you are excited, in a hurry to express your thoughts, or find it difficult to find the right words. But gradually and imperceptibly for you, they begin to sound more and more often and, as a result, literally in every sentence. They hurt the ear of the interlocutor, but are not noticeable to you. Getting rid of the words of parasites is difficult, but possible.
To begin with, make it a habit to record your speech from time to time in a relaxed and casual environment - any conversation with a close friend or relative will do. In the recording you will hear which words you need to get rid of. Think ahead about what you want to say, form whole sentences. It is clear that this should be done in private at home. But when communicating with people, you should watch your speech. Once you discover the words parasites, you will pay attention to them and try to avoid using them.
Don't worry that thinking about sentences will make your speech too slow. We'll talk about this in the next section.
What is rhetoric
Rhetoric
is a philological discipline that studies oratory, eloquence, worldview and the rules of speech construction.
The very first professor from Rome, Quinitilian, called rhetoric as “ the art of speaking well.”
" However, Plato, who lived 500 years before him, said that rhetoric is the art of persuasion. But not art, which is based on knowledge and truth, but on the apparent.
His student Aristotle argued the following. Every time we try to convince someone or talk them out of something, we consciously, subconsciously or unconsciously use rhetoric.
Speaker's task:
- Learn
- Entertain
- Move the public to do something
Types of rhetoric:
- Political is a management tool in a political system. Possesses journalistic speech with the function of persuading society.
- Legal - necessary for lawyers to deliver a public judicial speech and influence the legal consciousness of people. It is also needed to build an objectively reasoned argument in court.
- Military - needed for military culture and adaptation of people to service. With its help, the quality of performing assigned tasks during service increases. For example, the motivation of soldiers for a military task.
- Pedagogical - used to optimize the process of transferring experience. For example, a good speech by a teacher to students. It creates curiosity and interest in the topic.
- Diplomatic - necessary for a diplomat in diplomatic missions. This is communication between states through their representatives. Here, too, you need to monitor your speech and follow important rules.
You can look at how rhetoric has developed on an international scale. Or look at different parliaments around the world. Then you quickly find the difference between at what level ( for example, politics
) convince the public and the electorate.
For example, in England and America, where there is a long tradition of the rhetoric of argumentation, parliament is interesting. There are real spontaneous debates there.
And if you look at the German Bundestag or the Russian Duma, then politicians there simply read the speech from the page.
But be that as it may, in different countries there are rules of rhetoric that should be followed. And we will talk about them below.
Speech rate
Most inexperienced speakers talk too quickly. As a result, the interlocutor does not have time to follow your train of thought. Remember, you have to make the person or audience listen to you. By chattering, not pronouncing sounds and swallowing words, you will not be able to gain attention and will quickly tire your listeners. Every person is primarily interested in his own thoughts and beliefs. If you talk too quickly, the most you can achieve is imitation of attention. In fact, the interlocutor will patiently wait for the end of your monologue.
It is also worth considering the speed of perception of someone else's speech. You understand the meaning of what you want to tell others about. But they have to hear, perceive and think about the meaning of your words. This requires some time.
There is a common belief that slow speech is boring. But in fact, inexpressive monologues, devoid of emotions and meaning, drive the interlocutor into boredom. Pay attention to the performances of good lecturers and conversational artists. They make meaningful pauses, highlight important points with intonation, raise and lower sonority. Masters of public speaking who master these secrets are able to hold the attention of large audiences for several hours. If you listen carefully, you will notice that the rate of their speech is low. But there is no trace of boredom - everything is due to expressiveness and meaning.
Oratorical techniques
Oratory techniques are used to improve the perception of information. They work either by orienting the listener to figurative perception, or by stimulating his mental activity.
For example:
- visual comparisons and short illustrative examples are especially appropriate when conveying numerical material;
- repeating what has already been said in other words creates a new image;
- the allegory clearly illustrates the speaker’s ideas and thoughts;
- antithesis by contrast enhances their perception;
- hyperbole exaggerates those points that need to be paid attention to;
- rhetorical questions do not require an answer, but stir up interest;
- an insertion when a casual remark made draws attention to what was said;
- unexpected words and actions heighten the listener's curiosity.
Communicate with people
Training at home gives excellent results, but it is impossible to hone your speaking skills without communicating with other people. The easiest thing in this regard is for students - they have access to excellent practice of speaking in front of an audience of fellow students. What to do if you do not have such an opportunity? Look for any opportunities to network and hone your skills. Start with a small audience. Do you feel awkward and embarrassed to speak in public? For your first experiments, choose comfortable listeners - for some it is easier and calmer among close friends, for others, on the contrary, with strangers.
You need to overcome yourself and just start. Each time everything will happen much easier and more pleasant. Did you notice that you failed? Do not despair. Conduct error analysis. Perhaps you chose the wrong words or the interlocutor is simply not interested in the topic you proposed. The ability to listen to others is no less useful than the ability to speak beautifully. Ask questions. The person himself will tell you what topic is interesting to him. Your job is to keep the conversation going. Remember? You have already practiced at home and can communicate about everything.
Humor is a speaker's best friend
The smartest lectures and the most complex highly specialized topics should be presented in living language. Try to give information in parts, because even very attentive and interested listeners get tired after a certain time. Your speech should be interspersed from time to time with interesting quotes, appropriate jokes, and sayings.
It is especially important to defuse the situation in a timely manner during tense moments. Have you noticed that the audience reacts to your words with hostility, distrust, most of the listeners do not agree with your statements? Step away from your pre-planned plan and improvise. If the conditions and situation allow, ask questions. Perhaps you are really wrong or have poorly studied the subject of the conversation. If so, admit your mistake or ask your opponent to justify his claims.
What to joke about during speeches or reports? The fact is that among strangers you should avoid humor on topics that may offend the religious feelings, national pride of the interlocutor, or demonstrate your disrespect for his beliefs. That's why the world's best speakers, when speaking in front of large audiences, tend to make jokes about themselves. This is a win-win option that can instantly endear you to any person.
Lexicon
Training in front of a mirror, practicing in public only works if your speech is rich and interesting. Books will help you achieve this - there is no alternative. Read various literature. Scientific will make you smarter, professional will help you reach heights in your profession. Books about business will teach you how to make money and understand processes in the economy.
Under no circumstances should one refuse fiction. Choose the best authors in your favorite genres - from them you will learn to present thoughts and dry facts in an exciting way. Do you come across unfamiliar words? Be sure to find out their meaning and write it down for better memorization. Start your own dictionary and regularly update it with interesting expressions, catchphrases and quotes from famous people.
Read slowly. Analyze each phrase. How is it built, what emotional load does it carry? Perhaps you can use a certain turn of phrase in your speeches? Say your favorite sayings out loud and listen to how they sound.
It is very important to read smart books that you find difficult to understand. This is the only way you can develop your intelligence. If you disagree with the author, don't stop reading. Compose theses and think through your arguments. In direct communication with a live audience, you have to argue and prove that you are right very often. You must be prepared to give reasonable arguments and defend your opinions.
Seven ways to improve your voice
1. Record your voice on a tape recorder. Listen to it. Experiment with different tones, pitches, stress, speed, strength and diction. Sound strength is a particularly important component to practice with; count from one to five, raising and lowering the volume until you are able to make variations.
2. Try to speak at a speed of 120 words per minute. This is the average speed for speech. Ask your colleagues to supervise you.
3. Pronounce words clearly. Learn tongue twisters. Concentrate your efforts on pronouncing the final consonant sound of each word.
4. Emphasize key words and ideas in your voice. Hammer in important ideas that you would like the audience to remember.
5. Use your voice to create contrast. High and low, loud and quiet, excited and extinguished.
6. Practice speaking from deep within your diaphragm. Don't talk through your nose. Try to create vibration in your vocal cords.
7. Take care of your voice. A sore or tired voice needs correction - drink hot water in small sips or chew raisins.
Get ready for performances
Even the most experienced speakers do not leave anything to chance and diligently prepare for any speech in front of an audience. Think in advance about what you want to tell people and write down your talking points.
If you know how long you'll be speaking, write your speech and read it out loud. Record your performance rehearsal and listen to how your voice sounds from the outside. Analyze intonation and pauses. It’s great if you can read what you wrote to a loved one and ask his opinion. Perhaps something in the presentation looks unconvincing or unclear. Take into account all comments and correct errors.
The art of public speaking is hard daily work. But the response from the audience, the results that you can achieve, will instill in you great enthusiasm and a burning desire to continue working on self-improvement. There are very few people who are able to convince and infect others with their ideas. Anyone who manages to develop the talent of a speaker is able to achieve unprecedented heights in any field. But remember, listening to others is equally important. Communication is the path to mutual understanding and finding the best solution in any situation.
Oratory in life
The skill of public speaking is the use of tools against the background of psychological stress. And no matter what books we read, no matter how hard we try to apply our knowledge, we cannot do without a psychological understanding of a person.
In public speaking, the likelihood of something going wrong is high. No matter how a person manages the situation, the success of his speech depends on the number of listeners who have their own habits and motivation. The level of tension during a speech is extremely high, so the speaker’s skills tend to be blocked.
The art of oratory does not have prescribed laws for high-quality performance, but it is clear that it is a tool of influence on others that has no equal. No motivation system can give such an effect as an energizing motivational speech. No amount of effort to relieve tension and instill confidence in a crisis situation will provide such a boost as one inspiring speech.
A person who applies and improves the art of oratory simultaneously develops a higher degree of self-confidence, emancipation, and freedom.
Speaking in public, we hone our skills of argumentation, eloquence, and persuasion. In one-on-one communication, these skills work in the same way, but in a slightly simpler way.
