keep abreast with the fast pace of the times. Public speaking definitely works
towards this goal.
The diversity of opinions today, which are often controversial, has
increased the need for public speaking. People need to voice out their views
to function well in society. For some four thousand years, public speaking has
been the key in building and keeping a democratic society and way of life. Its
influences are vast and affect almost all aspects of life, such as the way we
think or act. It is also used in court proceedings, in congress, and even in the
plain setting of a classroom.
Speaking in public can sometimes be a real challenge, if not a source
of embarrassment; not only to normal people, but even to persons of high
rank such as scholars, doctors, artists and entrepreneurs. They may have
hesitations in facing an audience, often accompanied by sweaty palms,
stuttering, and the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. These dilemmas often
cause untold problems to the speaker (especially in self-expression) and
unpleasant effects to the audience.
You probably got this book because you are up for a speech delivery
soon and you need valuable tips. Or perhaps, you saw the link between
success and effective speaking, and have realized this can help you.
Hopefully this book would do just that.
Technical terms or jargons in public speaking are explained here, and
in a humane way, to help you grow as a good public speaker.
There are scores of books on public speaking. But few really give
practical help. This book aims to do what other books have not in terms of
giving direct beneficial information.
Careful thought has been given to people who really love to speak
publicly but do not have the luxury of time to prepare for such. This will help
you make your next speech a great one, and become better with each
succeeding speech. It aims to help people write and deliver an interesting,
clear, and cogent speech quality. This book also tries to answer the questions
and fears of the occasional speaker.
Included also in this book is a summary of experiences in public
speaking, and how they have led to success.
Aristotle said “a speaker needs three qualities – good sense, good
character, and goodwill toward his hearers.” Thus, public speaking is also
about developing speakers, and ultimately, decent human beings.
Whether the speech is short or long, the same rules apply, like the rule
of preparation. The habit of preparing makes good speakers. Some would say
that they speak from “inspiration,” when in fact they have been preparing
their speeches all their lives.
Public Speaking and You
Some people are born speakers. Most are not. Hence, you are not
alone when you say that you do not enjoy making speeches and speaking in
front of a large audience. Stage fright is inevitable. Actors are always
nervous to a certain degree before every play.
Perhaps you think your career does not entail public speaking. Well,
this is where you’re wrong because no matter what your job is, public
speaking ultimately will come into the picture in some ways. This chapter,
therefore, focuses on the significance of public speaking in our daily lives and
on some specifics of the communication process.
Four General Types of Public Speakers
CATEGORY CHARACTERISTICS
The Avoider Does everything possible to avoid facing an audience. In
some cases, avoiders seek careers that do not involve making
presentations.
The Resister Becomes fearful when asked to speak. This fear may be
strong. Resisters may not love to speak in public, but they
have no choice. When they speak, they do so with great
reluctance.
The Accepter Can do presentations but is not that enthusiastic to do them.
Accepters occasionally give presentations and feel good about
them. Occasionally the presentations can be quite persuasive,
and satisfying.
The Seeker Always looks for opportunities to speak. Seekers understand
that anxiety can be a stimulant that fuels enthusiasm during
presentation. Seekers work hard at building their professional
communication skills and self-confidence by speaking often.
What Roles Can Public Speaking Play in Your Life?
Success in public speaking can open a whole world of opportunities for
you. It can help you conquer new frontiers. It can broaden your horizons
through personal development, influence, and advances in your profession.
1. Public Speaking Improves Your Personal Development
In Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, realizing man’s self-worth
ranks the highest. Giving speeches helps the speaker realize self-worth
through the personal satisfaction he experiences whenever a good speech is
given. The speaker becomes more confident especially when the audience
responds positively. It also reduces anxiety when asked by an authority to
speak in front of some people.
There was once a student who dropped a course five times because he
hated speaking in front of the class. But after a self-study on building up
confidence, he decided to give public speaking a try and was successful. In
fact, he came to enjoy the experience and even volunteered to give more
speeches.
Through public speaking tools like research, conceptualization, and
organization, you have a systematic and effective way of presenting your
ideas; and thus, you will be able to express yourself better. You will also
become more open to other people. Furthermore, speaking skills put you in a
more significant role as you talk with people of high standing. Lastly, public
speaking satisfies your sense of achievement when the audience accepts you
warmly. This reflects your level of communication skills and acumen. All
these contribute to your self-esteem.
2. Public Speaking Influences Your Society
It is not only you who can benefit from the art of communication but
society as well. Most governments heed the voice of their citizens; with
proper communication skills, you can represent the public in voicing out your
rights and opinions.
An example of this would be a community discussion. Usually when a
neighborhood holds regular meetings, it discusses certain issues or courses
of action. In the discussion, various opinions are expressed and there you
have a clear interplay of public speaking.
People from all walks of life need to speak in public, whether formally
or otherwise. From kids reciting in school, to folks in a town meeting, to
citizens voicing out national issues; from a plain market vendor, to a
president of a company. There is really no way you can avoid public
speaking.
3. Public Speaking Advances Your Profession
Public speaking can help in your career, and eventually, your finances.
Usually, success is gauged by answers to questions like, “How long have you
been in your job?” or “Do you hold an MBA degree or something similar?”
However, researchers have proven that the best indicator of success in any
profession is whether the person is often asked to give speeches. Those who
give more speeches tend to have higher salaries than those who give less or
no speeches.
Take this average engineer. She enrolls in a public speaking seminar
that teaches two hours a week for six weeks. After two months, she is
promoted to senior engineer! Her boss has been noticing her superb
presentations.
The longer you work for an organization and the higher you climb the
organizational ladder, the more your boss will ask you to preside over
meetings and to give talks to the staff and subordinates or the clients. The
higher your position, the more your responsibilities in leading people under
you; and the more you must speak effectively. A manager once said, “From
the chairman of the board to the assistant manager of the most obscure
department, nearly everyone in business speaks in public or makes a speech
at some time or the other.”
Aside from big organizations like IBM and General Motors, small
organizations and businesses in the country also need workers who are good
public speakers. Take the high school coach, for example. If he is not
persuasive enough to tell the school board that new gym equipment is
needed, the school athletes might have to bear with the old gym equipment.
In the same way, if parents are not convincing enough when they
complain about a school dress code, their children may end up still wearing
uniforms in school. If salespeople cannot explain their products with a
convincing sales pitch, then fewer people would buy their products. This is
also true for nurses, doctors, firemen, police personnel and other
professions. Even employees of General Motors meet regularly to make
group decisions that they will present formally to management.
The bottom line is this: Whichever road you take, you will encounter
instances that require you to speak in public.
Getting Started: Your First Speech
Imagine you’re in a classroom. Who do you think speaks excellently?
You may select those who look smart or those who often recite in class. You
may think that these people are actually more confident than you think they
are. Or perhaps, they are born speakers and you are not.
Well, it may surprise you that they’re probably thinking the same thing
about you! They may also feel that you are a born speaker and envy you
because they have fears in public speaking. Some may have special interests
in public speaking, but most people do not know anything about it.
Then again, you may actually be a good speaker without realizing it. It
pays to find out by actually doing it and by seeing yourself doing it. You may
be just like this student during his first speech in class.
He needed to prepare a long speech. Two weeks before, he had
started writing his speech. He could not sleep at night. In fact, the night
before his speech, he did not sleep at all. However, when he finally did his
speech and saw it on video, he realized that it was not as bad as he expected
it to be. He did not experience the usual symptoms of speech anxiety, such
as going blank while speaking, or speaking very softly and hearing chuckles
in the audience. Through the video, he discovered that he has actually
improved in public speaking.
If no video of your speech is available yet, you can watch yourself
speak formally in front of a mirror.
Preparing Yourself to Speak
Here are the basic rules of public speaking:
· Gain an understanding of who you are. Discover your own knowledge,
capabilities, biases and potentials.
· Gain an understanding of your audience. Ponder upon what the
audience wants to hear, what provokes their interest, what they
believe in and what they want to know.
· Gain an understanding of the situation. Consider how the setting of the
place and other unforeseen factors could affect the way you deliver
your speech.
· Anticipate response from the audience. Make sure you have a clear
purpose in mind so that the audience will respond in the way you want
them to.
· Search for other sources of information. There might be more
materials available for you to make your speech more colorful.
· Come up with an argument that is reasonable. Make sure that the
purpose of your speech is supported by clear and reliable data to
formulate a sound argument.
· Add structure to your message. Organize your ideas so that the
audience will not have a hard time following and digesting your ideas.
· Talk directly to your audience. Make sure the language you are using
is one that your audience is comfortable with. Consider the occasion in
delivering your speech.
...To Be Continued
