A CRASH COURSE in PUBLIC SPEAKING Speakers
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A CRASH COURSE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING Speakers Professor Susan Baran E. Elizabeth “Beth” Carter ‘85 Overview of Alumni Engagement Webinar Series • To view past webinars, visit the Careers section at alumniconnect.bryant.edu • Upcoming webinars: – May 17: Nice to Meet You. Now What? The Importance of Public Speaking Despite the fact that meaning making and language separate us from other species, public speaking remains one of the biggest fears people face. Speaking is a natural behavior for humans. Speaking is a productive contribution to our mental well-being, helping us with memory, focus, critical thinking, and other cognitive processes. Verbal communication in all forms is directly tied to our ability to make meaning and develop understanding about ourselves, others, and our culture What is Public Speaking? Public speaking is when a speaker addresses an audience in a more structured and formal way than in a regular conversation. Public Speaking and The Workplace o Many of the formally prepared presentations we deliver happen in the workplace. In fact, communication skills (speaking, writing, and critical thinking) are among the top criteria in determining job attainment and retention. o 89 percent of employers want more emphasis placed on oral communication in colleges. o The negative impact of smartphone technology on interpersonal communication has caused employers to want job candidates who are adept at speaking. Public Discourse Public discourse is the societal sharing of ideas through conversation and is also an important reason to develop good speaking skills. Communicating our ideas is critical to democracy. Types of professionals who speak publically on a regular basis and as a result mold public opinion: politicians, celebrities, marketers, teachers, public relations professionals, news anchors, and local officials. Types of Speeches Informative Speeches Persuasive Speeches Small Group Speeches Special Occasion Speeches Informative Speeches Informative speeches are speeches designed to transmit knowledge and understanding. Speeches about objects, events, concepts, or processes are all considered informative. Examples The Humpback Whale The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire Judaism How to Administer CPR Persuasive Speeches The goal of a persuasive speech is either to move the audience toward your opinion on a specific subject or reinforce existing opinions. Examples The Existence of Global Warming Eat Gluten-free for a Healthier Lifestyle Vote for Brynn McNamee The Dangers of Smoking Small Group and Special Occasion Small group: Presenting for only a few people, for example at a business meeting or before a church group. Special occasion: Presenting at an event like a roast, wedding, or funeral. Ethics of Public Speaking Ethics are rules that guide us in determining right from wrong. Ethics are an important part of public speaking if the speaker is going to appear credible and trustworthy to an audience. As with other types of communication, being honest, accurate, and prepared are critical components of our social responsibility as speakers. A Crash Course in Public Speaking Like other skills, public speaking takes practice. Over time, you can become a better speaker by keeping in mind these 20 important points each time you get behind that podium: 1. Know your audience 2. Watch your posture 3. Make eye contact 4. Maintain a good appearance 5. Avoid mall speak 6. Believe in your topic Crash Course cont… 7. Don’t barrage the audience with facts and stats 8. Speak ethically 9. Begin and end powerfully 10. Practice, don’t rehearse 11. Articulate, enunciate, and use proper pronunciation 12. Always have water on hand 13. Don’t worry about nervousness Crash Course cont… 14. Don’t be afraid to use your hands 15. Avoid distracting body language 16. Try using notecards instead of entire speeches 17. Practice using visual aids 18. Use diaphragmatic breathing 19. Emulate speakers you respect 20. Know that you are a great speaker Identifying the Steps of Speech Preparation STEP 1: Engage in brainstorming: generating ideas for your speech topic through the free association of words and ideas. You can do this simply though self-inquiry, asking questions of yourself in search of a possible topic. STEP 2: Utilize clustering by making lists according to themes and word association and seeing what topics jump out at you. STEP 3: Research your topic thoroughly using credible sources. Preparation Steps cont… Step 4: Construct an outline—a brief, well-organized construction of main points and subtopics for the speech. The outline is your guide that allows you to systematically discern your thought process. It consists of a general purpose, introduction, body, and conclusion. Step 5: Create a more extensive speaking outline containing a slew of additional subtopics and details (like quotes, full sentences, speech cues, and statistics) for use during the delivery of the speech. Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety Public speaking anxiety is the fear of public speaking and is usually the most difficult obstacle to overcome for aspiring speakers as they work to master this skill. Sometimes people refer to public speaking anxiety as communication apprehension, speech phobia, or stage fright. Measures to Reduce Nervousness Understand everyone is in the same situation. If it’s a class, other students will have to eventually deliver a speech. Know that the majority of the speaker’s nervousness goes undetected by the audience. Audience members tend not to be judgmental, but rather, sympathetic and empathetic to the speaker. Additional Ways to Combat Nerves o Be prepared o Engage in vocal warm-ups o Know perfection is unattainable o Convert those nerves to ENERGY o Determine your self-fulfilling prophecy o Engage in visualization Final Thought As humans we are naturally inclined toward speaking, and much will be public. It is a skill which will be required of you throughout your life and should be developed with the objective of becoming better conversationalists, presenters, persuaders, and contributing to the discourse of the culture. .