Effective Speaking

 

Effective Speaking

The most important aspect of effective speaking skills is ensuring you successfully and clearly deliver the information that you want to share through speaking.

·       Whatever you speak, it must-must be focussed on the listener and not yourself.

There are  2 parts in this topic.

1.     Non-Verbal Communication or how you speak.

2.     Verbal Communication or what you speak.

 

 To be an effective speaker.

1.     Non-Verbal Communication or how you speak: This contributes to 70% of speech and so definitely more important than what you speak.

1a   Body language: An erect posture, no drooping shoulders, right hand movements, right eye contact are all important. Well, it’s a vast topic. But you can read about it on internet too, what I want to convey is that, it’s important and must be considered.

1b.  Pace: This is the speed at which you talk. If speech is too fast, then listeners will not have time to assimilate what is being said. It is also a good idea to vary the pace - quickening up at times and then slowing down – because this will help to maintain interest.

1c.  Volume: By raising or lowering volume occasionally, you can create emphasis. If you drop your voice to almost a whisper (as long as it is projected) for a sentence or two, it will make your audience suddenly alert. Be careful not to overuse this technique, though, or it will lose its impact.

1d.  Pitch - Inflection - Emphasis: When speaking in public, try to convey the information with as much vocal energy and enthusiasm as possible. This does not mean your voice has to swoop and dive all over the place in an uncontrolled manner. Try to make the talk interesting. Remember that when you are nervous or excited, your vocal chords tense and shorten, causing the voice to get higher. Emphasise certain words and phrases within the talk to convey their importance and help to add variety.

1e.  Pause: Pauses are powerful. They can be used for effect to highlight the preceding statement or to gain attention before an important message. Pauses mean silence for a few seconds. Listeners interpret meaning during pauses so have the courage to stay silent for up to five seconds – dramatic pauses like this convey authority and confidence.

 

2.     Verbal Communication or what you say:

2a.  Know your Audience: The words you choose will be different if you are talking to 200 people at a conference, a trusted colleague, your boss, or your children. You need to think about your audience’s overall level of understanding of the subject, and also the type of language that you use.

2b.  Catch the attention: You can begin with a relatable quote, a short story, an important related fact, an important related number, or start with “WHY”- why what you are saving is important to the listener. Also involve the listeners in a short conversation, if possible, in the beginning. For example, imagine you have to address the students at a college about their future opportunities, you can start your presentation with an infinity

 symbol and ask them what is it. They will come up with some answers. Then you say “this (infinity) is the number of opportunities that wait for you in the world and I am here to tell how can you best prepare yourselves for them”

2c.  Be clear in with your message: Be clear in your head, what do you want to share. The most important information must be emphasized. One rule to remembered is don’t give many important messages at a time. One at a time. Or it will all get diluted.

2d.  Elaborate with example: Where ever possible explain with an example, it is one of the best ways to explain something.

2e.  Practice: There is no substitute to practice. For an important speaking assignment, practice much as you can. Saying it out in front of mirror also helps. Or you may record it and see the recording to analyse how you did.