PUBLIC SPEECH WORKSHOP IV Speech Skills Speech Skills

PUBLIC SPEECH WORKSHOP (IV)

Speech Skills

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Write for the Ear: repetition, simple, clear language Short words: more effective and memorable Short sentences: easier for the audience to understand. However, it is boring and tedious if the speech is made up entirely of short sentences. Use longer sentences periodically to add variety, but make sure the audience can easily follow them. Short paragraphs: One paragraph develops one idea. Limit your paragraph to a few sentences, so that your audience may follow your logic. Pausing between one point and another point to allow listeners to digest what you’ve said.

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Be Specific � (x) This suit is cheap. � (O) This suit is cheap. It costs 200 NT dollars. Vivid words � (X) This proposal will result in more money for our school. � (O) This proposal will boost the school’s income by 20, 000, enough to buy new textbooks and classroom supplies for the next year.

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Use Words Economically � (X) as you know, needless to say, it has been shown that, at the present time, take into consideration, unexpected surprise � (O) now, consider, plans, surprise Use Active Voice � (x) The program was reviewed by us. � (O) We reviewed the programs. Select verbs carefully � (X) move // speak // walk � (O) shake, roll, wiggle//shout, whisper, scream, whine // hobble, creep, trudge

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Incorporate Rhetorical Devices: � Use Simile: a comparison that uses the words like or as “If we deny our children an education, ignorance will grow like a cancer. ” � Use Metaphor: it implies the comparison “Ignorance is a cancer that must be cured. ” � Use Alliteration: the initial sounds in words are repeated “we should protect and preserve peace. ” � Use Triads: grouped in threes “We must protect human beings, preserve wild animals, and love mother nature. ”

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Use Chiasmus �A rhetorical device in which the order of the words in the second two paired phrases is the reverse of the order in the first “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. ” –John F. Kennedy Use Rhyme � Rhyme can make your influence climb “Trust is a must. ” “What the mind of man conceive and believe, it can achieve. ” – Napoleon Hill

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Overcome stage fright � Stand straight and open up your chest. � Fifteen minutes before speaking in public and going on stage, do a few stretches. � Never apologize for being nervous. Move with a reason � Stepping forward during a speech suggest you are arriving at an important point. � Stepping backward indicates you've concluded an idea and want the audience to relax for a moment.

Speech Skills: Useful Tips Get rid of filler words � “um” and “err” can reduce the credibility of your message because they make you sound unsure about yourself � Be aware of the ones you use, practice pausing when you’re unsure of what to say Gesture Naturally � Don’t cross your arms � Don’t put your hands in your pockets � Don’t point at your audience � Use your hands to show what you are saying � Avoid holding hands in front of your private parts

Vocal Variety

The Importance of Vocal Variety https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=hd. BNUDIOIP 8 (3: 44) Pace Projection Pauses Pitch Pronunciation

Do These in a Public Speech � Stress important words, subordinate unimportant ones I have succeeded in whatever I have undertaken, because I have willed it. I have never hesitated which has given me an advantage over the rest of mankind. –Napoleon � Change your pitch I have but one merit, that of never despairing. –Marshal Foch The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action. – Herbert Spencer

Do These in a Public Speech � Vary your rate of speaking I have lived eighty-six years. I have watched men climb up to success, hundreds of them, and of all the elements that are important for success, the most important is faith. No great thing comes to any man unless he has courage. –Cardinal Gibbons � Pause before and after important ideas No man ever made a three-base hit who was afraid of the pitcher(pause), remember that.

Ask Yourself Do you stress the important words in a sentence and subordinate the unimportant ones? Does the pitch of your voice flow up and down the scale from high and low and back again—as the pitch of a little child does when speaking? Do you vary your rate of speaking, spending more time on the ones you wish to make stand out? Do you pause before and after your important ideas?

Body Language

Body Language Stance: � Although you should move during a presentation, occasionally you will stand still as you speak, usually during your opening and closing words or as you make an important point. Stand straight and look directly at your listeners. Facial Expression � Your facial expression must be consistent with the feelings or information you are communicating.

Body Language: Movement � Movement during a speech provides variety for the audience. When you walk from one place to another, you attract listeners’ attention and get them involved. � Walk purposefully to the front of the room with your head up and shoulders back. Turn and face your audience directly, then begin speaking. � Avoid pacing, fidgeting, swaying from side to side or bouncing up and down on your toes nervous habits that distract the audience. � Deliver part of your speech from one spot, then move crosswise two or three steps as you transition to another point in your speech. If you want to dramatize a specific point, use movement.

Body Language: Gestures It’s the most expressive part of body language. You can use gestures to show size, weight, shape, direction and location. Hit your fist into your open palm to indicate importance or urgency Move both hands in unison to show similarities; move them in opposition to show differences Gestures should be made above your elbow and away from your body. They should be vigorous and definite to show conviction and enthusiasm. They also should be full and varied. Be sensitive to your audience. Gesture is culturally sensitive!

Body Language: Eye Contact Eye contact plays a major role in how people perceive one another. In Western cultures, if you make eye contact with your listeners, they will think you are sincere, credible, friendly and honest. It helps you establish a bond with listeners. Make eye contact randomly throughout the room. Avoid moving your head from side to side like an oscillating fan. Look at people toward the back of the room as well as at those in front.

Body Language: Make it Natural! Body language should look natural and unrehearsed and be consistent with the meaning of the words being spoken. Using body language that is comfortable for you and enjoyable for the audience takes thought and practice. After you have drafted your speech, read it and note any places where body language would be appropriate and help convey your message. When you practice, try several different ways of using your arms, hands, and facial expressions. Videotaping or Rehearsing in front of a mirror is helpful!

Practice of Body Language Everyone prepares a one-minute speech. 1. Walk to the front of the room with your head up and shoulders back. Turn and face your audience directly, then begin speaking. 2. [Smile] Good afternoon, everyone. [Eye Contact with everyone]. My name is Yoyo Lin. Today I want to tell you an interesting story [gesture and tone]. It’s about a huge elephant [gesture and tone]. Thank you very much [Smile]!

Practice of Body Language [Smile] Good afternoon, everyone. [Eye Contact with everyone]. My name is Yoyo Lin. Today I want to tell you an interesting story [gesture and tone]. It’s about a huge elephant [gesture and tone]. Thank you very much [Smile]!

Now, Your Draft! Read your draft aloud to your partner! The Partner: � Take a piece of paper to write down the confusing sentences, inappropriate phrases, or unclear message. � Mark the good places.

Now Examine Your Partner’s Draft Does your partner… Select an outline that’s appropriate for his or her topic and allows the listeners to easily follow and understand the presentation? Make his or her message clear to the audience? � The main points, sub-points and support materials should contribute to that message. Use appropriate transitional words, phrases, statements or questions as the speech moves from one idea to another? Create a strong opening and conclusion?

Homework Memorize your own speech, make it as natural as possible Watch out for the pronunciation, intonation, and the pace of the speech! Workshop 5: Final version due (The date of) the Speech Marathon