Once we told you how to prepare for a public speaking, so that nothing prevents you from "holding" the audience. Today we will pay attention to the behavior of the speaker, the use of the possibilities of his voice, as well as the rules for handling the presentation.
Look at the audience, slowly look around at everyone present as you speak to engage everyone in the process. Do not fix your eyes somewhere in the background of the room or on one person. Slowly move your eyes around the audience so as not to leave anyone unattended.
The body language of your listeners. Pay attention to the facial expressions and gestures of those present. This will help you understand when they are interested in listening, when they understand your point and are ready to move on.
What to wear? Something that will make you feel comfortable. It is desirable that your clothes are multi-layered and you can take off or put on something if necessary.
On average, the period of concentration of attention in a person is not too long. After about 10 minutes of listening, we start to get distracted, so at about 8-10 minutes it is better to change the type of activity. It's time to tell a joke, start some kind of vigorous activity or demonstrate illustrative material.
Use gestures to spice things up and emphasize a point, however, make sure that your gestures are not too active or constant.
Location on stage. Make sure you stand in the center, you can be clearly seen from all seats and no equipment obscures you from the audience.
If possible, do not stand in one place. If you walk around while performing, it looks more casual and interesting for both you and the audience. However, don't act like a tiger in a cage!
Mistakes/clumsiness. Even the most experienced speakers make mistakes or, for example, accidentally drop something. If you begin to show with all your appearance that you are upset or confused because of this, then your nervousness will be transmitted to the audience and the listeners will feel uncomfortable. The best way out of this situation is to simply admit your mistake and, if possible, joke about it. This will help the audience relax, which means you will feel more comfortable. Quick comments such as: "It's still early morning for me..." or "It's definitely time for me to eat..."
Reminders. Keep in mind that people cannot absorb or remember everything they hear, and often lose the thread of the story. So periodically summarize what has been said, and also prepare notes that you will distribute to the audience if you want something more tangible in their hands after your presentation.
Humor- also a very effective tool, if you use it confidently and in the subject. However, it is better to leave it if you are not sure that you are witty enough.
Beginning of the performance. Use simple conversational language. Pay attention not to speak too fast, especially at the beginning of the speech when there is still excitement. Say a few general welcome phrases to help the audience tune in to your voice. Rehearse the first few sentences ahead of time so you don't forget them, even if the excitement makes itself felt.
The pace of speech. Change the pace of your speech, but don't speak too fast. In ordinary everyday conversation, the pace of our speech slows down, then speeds up, and you do the same. In the opening scene of The Social Network (2010), which tells about the invention and development social network Facebook, we see Mark Zuckerberg talking to his girlfriend in a monotonous patter that is hard to bear. It all ends with the girl leaving him.
Give the audience time to think. We all need some time to “digest” what we hear. Therefore, speak slowly enough, clearly articulate the main points and leave small pauses so that what is said is firmly entrenched in the memory of the listeners.
Voice amplification. For a performance in front of a large audience, you will most likely be offered some kind of sound reinforcement system. When speaking in front of a small group, there is no need for such a system. Difficulties can arise when you perform in front of a medium-sized group, and the sound reinforcement system is not provided. It's good if you have a strong voice. But what if you have a quiet voice (like mine), but you have to perform in front of a group of 20 people, or in a hall with poor acoustics and noisy air conditioning, or when there is a nursery behind the wall of the room (as happened to me once)? In this case, even a weak voice can be made to sound louder if you imagine that you are talking to someone across the street. You can bring the sound reinforcement system with you, as aerobics or dance instructors do.
Don't lose your individuality. Of course, everything already said is important, but do not forget that the perception of you as a speaker is based on your individual style. Practice helps bring all the components together. At the same time, you should never lose your "zest".
Visual aids include almost any means that the speaker uses in addition to his speech. Most often it is a computer presentation. Although you may think that visual aids are more for entertainment, their most important function is to better convey the essence of the speech to the audience. This happens for the following five reasons:
Make sure your presentation is on a large screen and well focused. Take a few minutes to check this before the event starts.
Avoid randomness, excessive embellishment and small print. Don't try to put too many points on one slide: three or four will be enough. Don't go into details. Use a large enough font. Resist the temptation to make the slide too bright, with moving graphic elements - in fact, this is only a distraction.
Give listeners time. Don't forget that people need time to look at your slide because it's their first time seeing it and it takes more time to absorb the information it contains than you think. How many speakers and lecturers stepped on this rake and paid with the interest of their audience!
Direct the attention of your listeners. Summarize parts of your presentation and periodically highlight the parts of the slide that you are discussing, this will help the audience stay focused.
Backup. Always have backup copies of your presentation with you in case the equipment fails.
Get ready for anything! Always find out in advance about the technical equipment of the site where you will be performing, so that your visual aids correspond to it. The site may be equipped with the latest technology or there may be an ordinary white board with markers. Always check what is available. Once, due to the fact that all suitable sites were already booked, I had to conduct a training session in a hotel, in a honeymoon suite, where I had at my disposal only a flipchart and a few felt-tip pens.
The most important aspect of any speech is its subject matter. It is often difficult to choose the exact topic of speech, since the choice of directions is very wide. Interesting topics for presentation can be found in all areas of knowledge - the main thing is that what is being discussed is understandable and close to the listener.
The main criterion by which you can determine the quality of a speech is its simplicity for the perception of the audience and fascination. This can be achieved in different ways.
Among them:
It is also important not to forget about a sense of humor - on any topic with jokes it will become colorful and interesting. At the same time, the main thing is not to overdo it with humorous inserts, otherwise the performance will not be taken seriously.
The key point for an interesting presentation is also the topic.
Before choosing a narrow topic on the basis of which the report will be built, you need to take into account several important facts - without this, the speech will not be successful with the audience.
Not only the topic, but also information on it is selected depending on the occasion that caused the speech. It can be an official, solemn, celebratory or sad event. The message itself, like the topic, depends on the occasion of the meeting:
At fun events, the topic should be light and interesting, you can include various jokes and funny stories in your speech.
The subject of the speech is inextricably linked with the purpose of the speech - you can strive to cheer up the audience, convey important facts to it, or convince them of something. The main goals are:
Each goal requires its own facts and its own speech skills.
Even within the framework of an interesting and relevant topic, there may be facts that are better to be ignored. They may seem boring to the audience or become offensive to the listeners.
In connection with this, it is useful to refuse:
It is important to imagine the image of your average listener in order to choose the right topic - you need to understand what this person is interested in, what he is fond of, what age, gender and what social stratum he belongs to. The topic must meet these criteria, otherwise it will not be perceived properly.
It is also important not to focus on too simple and well-known points that the listeners already have an idea about.
Lecturer and audience education has importance- in front of people of a certain profession it is better to operate with their special terms, and in front of children - to express themselves simply, ordinary and understandable.
The key point is the interests of the audience - it is important that the main issue of the speech is related to them. In order to feel the listeners, the speaker must put himself in their place - for example, imagine that he is a schoolboy if the report is addressed to children under 16-17 years old.
Then you need to pay attention to those points that interest this particular group of the population, and not the lecturer himself.
It is important to choose a relevant topic for listeners based on their demographics:
It may also matter what city or country the listeners are from and in their report touch on topics that concern representatives of this area of residence.
The audience can also be close to the speaker (usually relatives and friends), business (colleagues) or unfamiliar. The problem, as well as the content of the report, may change from this. With friends, communication is more personal, and with superiors or subordinates - exclusively business.
Firstly, the chosen topic should be interesting to the speaker himself - otherwise he will not be able to reproduce it well and excitingly for the listeners. Even if the topic is specific and not very interesting, you need to narrow it down to those moments that somehow attract the speaker. Then it will be much easier to find contact with the audience.
Secondly, it is better if the lecturer knows the subject he is talking about very well (or you need to study it deeply in advance before speaking). Otherwise, an oratorical speech on any topic will not cause an answer even among those listeners who do not know anything about it, because they will feel that the lecturer is incompetent in the area he is talking about.
Even if a person does not know the topic very well initially, it is important that it is easy for him to study and understand it. This is usually best done if the direction of speech is related to professional activity or interests of the speaker.
The area of conversation is not so important - it can be poetry, and theater, and politics. The lecturer should immediately plan what interesting things he can say to the audience on this topic.
It is better if you manage to find a middle ground - choose a topic in which the speaker understands and which is interesting to him at the same time.
Oratory on a topic that is relevant to everyone is always successful, especially if there are any controversial issues in this area.
To update your presentation, you can:
This will allow you to select information that is relevant to a specific audience. For example, future students can be told about entering universities or a funny story from student life, and expectant mothers can be told about newborns and parenting problems.
It is best to talk about things related to personal experience of a person - then he will be able to explain this more clearly with personal examples.
At the same time, it is important to follow the narrative and not say unnecessary facts or data that the audience does not need at the moment.
The specific topic is not so important, how important it is for the lecturer to present it competently - then almost any direction will be fascinating and understandable for the listener.
The audience should get new thoughts and ideas about the issue, realize different positions from which to look at the problem.
You need to formulate the problem concisely, clearly and intriguingly. Topics that touch on memorable facts are always interesting:
Interesting for people and topics based on unusual facts, for example:
Controversial interesting topics for public speaking have gained particular popularity, as they most often involve a discussion, for example:
For schoolchildren and students, there can be a lot of topics - they are limited only to the subject of the lesson. The following issues are always relevant:
There are many general topics of interest to talk about:
For holidays, simpler themes are suitable, which can be diluted with anecdotes, funny stories, jokes.
You can prepare an interesting oratory on a topic from any field. The main thing is to clearly define target audience and shape the story in such a way that it is accessible and interesting to every listener.
Careful preparation is the key to the success of any speaker. The first step is to choose a theme. There are many interesting areas that you can tell the audience about. There is a category of questions that can be called eternal - this is God and religion, the relationship between soul and body, duty and the right to free will.
One of the most interesting topics for presentation is art. It accompanies man throughout the history of civilization. Self-awareness was displayed by people in the form of making stone figures, in the features of various architectural monuments. The experiences of a person and his various qualities have been captured in paintings and sculpture for centuries. Domestic psychologist Lev Semenovich Vygotsky wrote that "art is social in us." In the process of rethinking the information received, the artist has the opportunity to discover the mysteries of life, to take a fresh look at the world.
You can also choose other interesting topics for public speaking:
A report can also be prepared on the topic of how important art is in modern world. At present, it occupies a very special place in the life of society. For example, T. Chernigovskaya, professor at St. Petersburg State University, emphasizes that the role of art in modern reality cannot be overestimated. It is art today that has the function of saving humanity from the negative impact of new technologies. A person has become too addicted to gadgets, and nothing can be done about it. The virtuality of the surrounding world is increasing, and with it the number of mental disorders. This is a serious danger, the researcher emphasizes.
The problem of art in the modern world will be an interesting topic for presentation at school, especially in high school. The speech can be continued by describing the problem of information availability. Tatyana Vladimirovna also notes that the world has become transparent today. After all, almost everything can be known about a person - right down to who he had breakfast with and what brand of wine he bought yesterday. Under these conditions, the professor emphasizes, the only secret about a person remains the genome. However, even this information may soon become available - after all, the sequencing process will not be handled by the person at all. And this means that information about the genome will somehow remain in a certain database. The only thing that can help people in this new reality, according to the professor, is art.
An interesting topic for a speech can also be the problem of the modernity of a philosophical nature chosen by the speaker - for example, the problem of the relationship between spirit, soul and body. It has interested scientists and philosophers since ancient times. For example, Aristotle opened a new era in this sense. The corporeal and the spiritual, according to the understanding of the philosopher, form a single inseparable reality between them. The soul is not a separate form - it does not "fly" somewhere outside the body, but, on the contrary, is a form of its organization. On the one hand, the soul is not a body, on the other hand, it cannot exist separately from it.
Interest on this issue is also represented by the position of Rene Descartes. According to the scientist, the soul and the body have a different nature. However, the scientist offers a new interpretation of their interaction for his time. Descartes was convinced that not only the soul can influence the physical state of a person, but vice versa. The body also affects the emotional component. For the 17th century, this idea was quite radical.
Choosing an interesting topic for a speech on a free topic is not such a difficult task as it might seem at first glance. Consideration of the issue of the relationship between spirit and flesh is one of the most entertaining topics. The speech can be continued with the fact that many people nowadays prefer to live, guided for the most part by the body. It is their master, but a person rarely remembers the spirit - most often because of fear. According to the highest plan of the individual, the spirit must occupy a dominant place, lead the body and emotions.
If a person is strong and strong-willed, then the mind and soul are his assistants, while the body can be figuratively represented as a child being brought up. For example, a person sets a goal - to improve health by reducing weight. On this path, temptations will constantly lie in wait for him. When he sees an advertisement for a delicious hamburger on a sign, he may resist the temptation. If such a person gathers his courage, waits for the opportunity to dine at home with porridge and salad, then by doing so he will be able to achieve two goals: immediate health benefits and strengthening his spirit.
Quite a few various options interesting topics for presentation can be selected on this issue. For example, these:
The fulfillment of one's duty is inextricably linked with the volitional qualities of a person. If a person is faced with a dilemma - to act according to conscience or to follow the path of least resistance, then here he will have to make strong-willed efforts in order to choose a more noble path. For example, such is the situation when during military operations it is necessary to fulfill the order of the commander and go on the offensive. It is very difficult to launch an attack, however, one must obey. A volitional action is one that is carried out under conditions of choice.
Questions of will and choice are an interesting topic for an oratory. Philosophers and psychologists are divided in this area. Some believe that in such situations, the will of a person is manifested, since he makes a conscious choice. Others are convinced that as such there is no choice - and therefore it is necessary to mobilize all the will. Another example can be given in this respect. A drug addict needs to get rid of a terrible addiction. To do this, it will require remarkable strong-willed efforts from him. On the one hand, we can talk about his conscious choice in favor of life. But on the other hand, as such, he has no choice - he will either die or make every effort to overcome the terrible trap of addiction and start a new life.
Within the framework of this problem, the speaker can also choose for himself more specific interesting topics for his speech:
Also, for many, an interesting topic for speaking to an audience will be employment. After all, every person at least once in his life was looking for a job. For some, this was done quickly and without problems, for others the process was longer. Professional realization occupies one of the most important places in the life of an adult.
An interesting topic for speaking to students will be the one that highlights the problems of employment. After all, very soon young people will have to face the realities of the labor market directly. The issue of employment, the opportunity to use the knowledge gained at the university is one of the most burning issues for a student. Interesting topics to speak to young people may include the following:
Public speaking is a speech in front of an audience, a presentation of some information, possibly with the display of visual material, for a specific purpose.
The goals of public speaking can be very different: to inform, explain, interest, convince, convince, induce to action or inspire.
Depending on the purpose, the types of speeches are also divided: informational (narrative, descriptive, explanatory), propaganda (inspiring, persuading, inciting to action) and entertaining.
In modern practice, depending on the specific scope of application, public speaking is divided into the following types:
1) academic (lecture, scientific report, scientific report). Distinctive features - scientific terminology, reasoning, logical culture, communication of information of a scientific nature;
2) judicial (accusatory or defensive speech). Distinctive features - analysis of the factual material, use of expert data, references to the testimony of witnesses, logic, persuasiveness;
3) socio-political (speech at a meeting, propaganda, rally speech). Such speeches can be inviting or explanatory. Distinctive features - a variety of visual and emotional means, features of the official style, the use of political and economic terms;
4) social and household (welcome, drinking, memorial speech). Distinctive features - an appeal to feelings; free presentation plan; use of comparison, metaphor, solemn style.
The first stage of any kind of public speaking is preparation - defining the topic, selecting material and collecting additional information. A good presentation is determined by the depth of content (substance) and the form of presentation (style). Both require time and hard work. In order for your speech to reach its goal, collect as much information as possible about the intended audience: who you are addressing, how many people there will be, find out their age, range of issues of interest, level of education, professions of your future listeners. Find out how knowledgeable they are about your presentation. The more material you have collected, the easier it will be for you to convey information to the audience, as well as answer questions, consider and refute objections, including those that are obviously provocative and dishonest. But do not strive to embrace the immensity in one speech. What you say, the options that you offer, must be understandable and acceptable to the interlocutor. Do not get carried away with terminological vocabulary, an excessive amount of statistical calculations, proving how smart and eloquent you are. Your goal is to be understood.
Speech is composed in accordance with the laws of logical thinking. It should contain an unusual message, arousing interest, or a vital circumstance. Abstract reasoning alternates in speech with concrete facts illustrating these reasoning. Bright, persuasive argumentation, fresh, exciting information, material compiled in the form of a search for truth, makes the audience perceive the speech with bated breath. The facts that are given in public speech must be verified, all conclusions must be thought out and verified.
The second stage is the presentation of the prepared material. Here you need to meet three conditions: adjust to the audience, capture its attention and observe how the information is perceived, whether the reaction matches the one you expected.
At the beginning of the speech, it is important to concentrate the attention of the audience, to establish contact and relative ease in communicating with those present.
It is necessary to begin your speech with a strong and persistent desire to achieve your goal. Speech has a response from the listener only when in the mind of the speaker he himself, the audience and the word merge into one. To do this, you need to know what the speaker will talk about. If the speech is not thought out and planned in advance, the speaker cannot feel confident in front of the audience, and confidence is one of the main components of success.
Each public speaking must meet a number of basic requirements.
The first of these is certainty, clarity. Listeners must clearly understand all the words and expressions used by the speaker. When a speaker uses words unfamiliar to the audience, uncertainty and misunderstanding arise. You must present the proposed information in an accessible, clear manner. You should strive to ensure that your information is heard and correctly understood.
The modern audience wants the speaker to speak as simply as in a personal conversation. In a good speaker, listeners do not notice the manner of speaking, they perceive only the subject in question.
For persuasive influence, it is necessary that the level of speaking correspond to the level of understanding. Arguments should be taken from the field of activity of the listeners, the information should be acceptable in terms of gender and age characteristics and, if possible, clearly presented.
The next mandatory requirement for public speaking is consistency. It is achieved when the presentation goes from the known to the unknown, from the simple to the complex, from the description of the familiar and close to distant. Consider the composition of the speech. Limit your presentation to 20 minutes, because most people are not capable of long and attentive listening. Most often, a three-component structure is used: introduction (5-10% of the speech time), main part, conclusion (5% of the speech time).
At the beginning of your speech, briefly list the main ideas that you are going to reveal. In the course of the presentation, you dwell in more detail on certain provisions that, in your opinion, are of interest to the audience. In conclusion, it is necessary to summarize the speech, repeat the main conclusions and provisions, and call for action. The beginning and end of the performance must be connected to each other. What is said at the end is better remembered by the listeners.
It is very important to observe the compositional proportionality of the material, it is reasonable to combine the old and the new, theoretical and practical material, positive and negative information, rational and emotional in the speech.
The most important condition for oratory is the ability to use images and pictures. Without this, speech is always pale and boring, and most importantly, it is not capable of influencing feelings and, through them, on the mind. Real public speech should excite and excite not only thoughts, but also feelings. Only colors and images can create a living speech, one that can impress listeners. Speech, consisting of reasoning alone, cannot stay in people's heads, it quickly disappears from memory. The task of the speaker is to influence the feelings of the listeners. A strong feeling, human experiences always affect the mind, leaving an indelible impression.
To activate attention, to form mental tension and emotional tone in the human psyche, experienced speakers use subtle rhetorical devices, quotations, and examples.
Oratory necessarily includes the culture of speech and knowledge of the norms of the literary language. There are a number of typical mistakes in oral speech: the wrong choice of words, the use of extra words, the use of close-sounding words, misunderstanding of the meaning of words. Errors in the pronunciation of sounds and their combinations, in stress are also unacceptable.
The speaker's speech literacy is manifested in the ability to adapt speech to a specific situation and the art of intonation. With the help of intonation, increase, decrease in the speed of speech, its volume, thinking and emotional perception are involved. Important words and thoughts stand out intonationally, with special energy, pauses are made before their utterance.
In order for the impact to be as effective as possible, you need to learn how to control your voice. The voice is able to convey, simply and beautifully express our thoughts and feelings. Speech should be sufficiently audible, and this depends on a well-placed voice and the ability to use it in various conditions. The ability to control the voice is associated with the development of speech breathing. Change the volume of your voice and the speed of speech, show your excitement and interest in relation to the issue under discussion.
The sound quality of speech depends on the brightness, distinctness of pronunciation - diction and on the compliance of speech with the norms of Russian literary pronunciation.
Even in the process of preparing for a speech, you should strengthen faith in your ability to manage an audience, train in mastering specific rhetorical techniques.
There is a rule: if you want to master some art, practice constantly, persistently, tirelessly. In oratory, it is necessary to master the technique, mechanisms, culture of speech with the help of a system of training, exercises, combined with the practice of speaking. Learning to speak and express your thoughts is to eliminate stiffness, to help a person feel free, at ease, confident, inspired and behave correctly in front of an audience.
Ask someone who is not an expert in your field to listen to you and offer their opinion. Was it interesting to listen to you? Does your speech make sense? Are you speaking clearly?
Did you meet the allotted time, what was successful in your presentation, what were the shortcomings and why did they arise?
Most likely, from the first time you will not be satisfied with the result, because you will spend a lot of unnecessary words, and you will have the feeling that you did not say something very important. Then you need to think over your ideas again, choose the right words, remove unnecessary ones and explain something with diagrams or drawings. Practice until you feel confident and have almost memorized your performance. The speaker must thoroughly know the material of his speech. It's not a bad idea to have reference material handy for those who want a more detailed rationale. It also inspires confidence, calmness, firmness in the argumentation of the informational message.
It is very important to learn how to overcome the so-called "oratory fever" or excessive excitement. Many people experience its symptoms: nervousness, fussiness in hand movements, pallor or, conversely, excessive blush, red spots on the face, rapid pulse, etc. All this not only hinders movement, but also leads to "mental clamp", inability to think effectively . You need to master the ability to create a friendly and at the same time businesslike atmosphere.
In no case should your speech take the form of just a verbatim transmission of the material or reading the text on one note, not paying attention to punctuation marks, since in such a speech there is almost no contact with the audience.
To maintain contact with the audience or to restore it, you can use the following techniques:
2) focus on those who interfere with the performance;
3) introduce an extended pause, creating a climax in the text;
4) suddenly ask the audience a question;
5) use visual aids, diagrams, diagrams, pictures illustrating reasoning;
6) change the pace of speech, emphasizing important thoughts by paraphrasing them.
There are also several ways to influence a person's perception of information. To do this, it is important to determine in what modality (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) information can be presented in the best way. Visual modality is in most cases the most successful option. Visually, you can imagine a large amount of information at the same time, which means that all complex objects (with many details), systems with complex processes and relationships can be perceived as a whole.
Create a "core" of the visual image, i.e., first say only the most basic, emphasizing this. After that, gradually move on to the details, complementing and expanding this image. Complete the verbal description with drawings, diagrams, diagrams. This is especially useful in cases where your interlocutor is having difficulty building a visual image.
To help the person create a visual image of what you are talking about, try to describe as accurately as possible how you imagine the item or event you are talking about, using as many words as possible. detailed description, do not be afraid to repeat what is most significant. Add emotional coloring, i.e. speak with enthusiasm, interest, highlight the most important points. The most memorable and persuasive speakers are those who speak from the heart. Use gestures: when a person talks about what he sees in his "mind's eye", he begins to "draw" it in the air with his hands, and, oddly enough, this often helps the interlocutor.
Use your hands, face, and upper body to emphasize the most important points with gestures to make your thoughts more vivid and lively. In combination with words, gestures also speak, enhancing their emotional sound. Gesticulation can be classified according to its purpose: expressive, descriptive, pointing, imitative. Gestures are used in descriptions, if desired, to indicate a place and movement, they help to bring the necessary clarity to the presentation.
But using gestures correctly is a difficult task. Use gestures as you feel the need for them. Gesticulation should not be continuous. Do not gesture with your hands throughout the speech, because not every phrase needs to be underlined with a gesture. Make a variety of gestures, do not indiscriminately use the same gesture in all cases when you need to give expressiveness to words. Gestures must meet their purpose. Their number and intensity should correspond to the nature of the speech and the audience (for example, adults, as opposed to children, prefer moderate gestures).
For more effective impact on listeners, use the following methods:
1) the effect of the first phrases. Immediately draw attention to yourself as a person. For example: "I'm glad to meet you";
2) the effect of quantum ejection of information. To prevent loss of audience attention, “placers” of novelty are needed;
3) the effect of argumentation. Use convincing and accessible evidence for the audience to assimilate, especially if the arguments are related to the sphere of professional interests of those present;
4) relaxation effect. Psychologically unite different people in the hall, set them up for empathy. Humor, a joke, a sharp word will help to rally people in intellectual activity, to keep and strengthen their attention;
5) analogue effect. If two phenomena are similar in one or more respects, then they are probably similar in other respects;
6) the effect of imagination. The mental efforts of the listener in the absence of the proper completeness of information stimulate assumptions, conjectures, dreams, fantasies;
7) the effect of the discussion. Discussion is one of the varieties of dispute as a verbal competition. Its goal is to achieve the truth by comparing different opinions. A prerequisite for the discussion is the presence of a problem that is entertaining for those present in order to involve them in an exchange of views. Build a general summary from the most interesting judgments;
8) ellipse effect. This is the omission of a structurally necessary element of statements, which in this context is easily restored. It was used by Arkady Raikin during performances, talking with the audience, paused so that they themselves thought out the ending of the phrase or the words missing in it and finished them in chorus. The audience willingly joins in co-creation with the speaker. When answering your questions:
1) never say: "I agree, but...", or even: "Yes, but..." Such expressions are controversial, since the word "but" carries an aggressive meaning and suggests resistance. Say instead: “I agree, and…” or “I understand why you think so, and…” or even “I respect your opinion, and…” The word “and” is much less controversial and shows your desire to come to consent. Such expressions can stop disputes from the very beginning. They will help you navigate to your topic, not just answer questions;
2) when answering a deliberately false assumption, give it a definition. Don't try to defend yourself, just say, "That's the wrong conclusion. Actually I said that…” and repeat your thought;
3) if the question is not logical, do not say that it is "bad" or "stupid", humor will be an effective weapon against it, in addition, it will help you win the support of the audience. However, when using humor, connect it to the logic of the question or your topic, not to the person. Answer the question without offending the person who asked it;
4) when answering tricky questions, determine what the main idea is in the question. Ask the questioner for their name to win a few seconds. Begin your answer by calling the person by name and briefly expressing your sympathy, then continue: “If I understand the question correctly, you are mainly concerned about…” If you are extremely brief, you will not give the questioner time to interrupt you. In the first 45 seconds of the answer, the speaker is interrupted very rarely. Therefore, in the first minute of your answer, you need to answer the main part of the question. Say something positive and give an interesting example.
In the communication of the speaker with the audience, an important role is played not only by the form of speech, but also by his entire appearance. A good overall impression of the speaker's appearance, mannerisms, posture and gestures is essential to the success of a speech. But there may also be a negative side, since external data can divert the attention of listeners from the content of the speech.
You must be sure that your appearance meets the requirements of the audience and the environment. Carefully approach the choice of clothing.
Since you need to control the attention of people, it is very important not to remain invisible. If you show up in a pale blue suit, a pale blue shirt, and a pale blue tie, you will simply be ignored and most likely not listened to. It is also important not to blend into the background. Of course, it is better to know in advance what will be behind you during the performance. If it suddenly turned out that you are merging with the background, then take off your jacket, because there is no other way out. It's better to look a little extravagant than to let the audience ignore you. From a distance, small details blend together: a small-check suit can cause dizziness, and stripes can cause ripples in the eyes. For performances, wear a navy blue or charcoal suit, always a plain, white or very pale plain shirt, and a tie that matches the color of the suit.
Dress in a modern, but not flashy way so that the audience can listen to your performance without being distracted by your outfit.
Nothing on you or in your possession should bind freedom of movement. Do not wear tight-fitting suits that restrict the movement of the shoulders and arms.
The face should be serious, but not gloomy. To do this, you need to practice in front of a mirror. Study your face. What happens to the eyebrows, forehead? Smooth out the incoming folds, straighten frowning eyebrows. If it has a “frozen” expression, practice weakening and tensing the facial muscles. Say phrases saturated with various emotions - sadness, joy, and so on, observing that facial expressions also take part in this.
Do not worry and do not forget about inner confidence. Calmly head to the podium. Don't go through your notes as you go, don't button up your coat or jacket, don't fix your hair, don't straighten your tie. All this must be thought about in advance. Do not speak until you are in a comfortable and stable position. As soon as you take your seat, address the presidium and then the audience. Pick a specific form of address like, “Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen…” and get started.
Lecture 8
Questions:
A business person often has to deal with the need for public speaking. Many people have a natural gift for speaking. Some can make speeches impromptu, without visible effort, easily speak at any moment, giving pleasure to themselves and listeners.
Another extreme. This is a neglect of the preparation for the speech of overly self-confident people who rely on their experience or refer to being overly busy with other issues.
It should be remembered that a well-prepared public speech is, on the one hand, a sign of respect for the audience, and, on the other hand, an opportunity to declare oneself as a good specialist and an interesting person.
Tune in to the audience. Determine if the content of your speech meets her interests.
Carry yourself confidently during your speech, showing strong conviction in your words.
Start talking only after silence has been established.
Start your speech with a brief address to the audience, followed by a short pause.
Introductory words should not be loud. Watch for clarity of speech. Do not pronounce it quickly and monotonously.
During the speech, look at the audience (do not look at one point!). Watch the audience's reaction.
Move on to the presentation of the main issue after you manage to achieve a positive reaction from the audience.
Maintain self-control throughout the performance. Do not pretend that speech is difficult for you, that you are tired or insecure.
Do not enter into a discussion, even if provocative cries are heard from the place. They shouldn't be out of balance.
At critical moments of the speech, it is necessary to speak with particular conviction and confidence. It is useful to smooth out the sharpness with a few compliments to the listeners.
If the audience is tired, start talking lower, then raise your voice.
At the end of your presentation, thank those present for their attention.
2. Compositional construction of speech
1. Introduction.
2. The main part.
3. Conclusion.
Main goals each part:
1. Introduction
| tasks |
Generate interest in a topic
Establish contact with the audience
Prepare listeners for speech perception.
Techniques for attracting attention:
Appeal
Statement of the purpose of the speech, an overview of the main points to be discussed
Reception of complicity
Addressing events unknown to the audience
Return to the speech of the previous speaker
Appeal to known audience sources of information
Humorous remark
Questions to the audience, etc.
2. Main part
Summarize what has been said
Increase interest in the subject of speech
Emphasize what is said
Set tasks
Call for immediate action.
Methods
A brief recap of the main issues
Generalization of what has been said
Specifying perspectives
Illustrative ending
3. Preparation for the keynote speech
Write the way you speak, not the way you write.
Enclose phrases in brackets that can be omitted if necessary.
Include 3-5 sentences in each paragraph.
Use mostly active verbs, not passive ones.
For example, avoid: "We have opened five new branches."
Better: "We opened 5 new branches."
Limit the number of words in a sentence.
The speech should be typed at two intervals in a readable font. Between paragraphs - 3 intervals.
Underline words or phrases that you attach particular importance to.
Write numerical names (all numbers) in words.
The presence of a synopsis is obligatory, but one must try to speak not only according to the synopsis.
Accurately fix the time (regulation).
Reading without preparation, you can lose contact with the audience;
2. Preparing to read from the spot
This is also important when moving to a new paragraph, paragraph.
A paragraph is not transferred to another page in the same way as a sentence. Don't turn the page in the middle of a thought.
Use only one side of the paper: a thick stack of paper does not mean a long speech.
Number the pages (preferably in the right corner of the sheet).
Remove staples before speaking, do not staple pages.
Do not use slang words and terms.
Eliminate obscure and meaningless definitions and adverbs:
noticeably justified
excessive relatively
quite significant
approximately partly
minor major
better sufficient
Get rid of verbal cliches and superfluous words:
currently better:
at the moment "now".
Remove expressions like:
as a matter of fact
honestly
i have to add
interesting to note
attention needs to be paid to this
this should be remembered
worth saying
can i get your attention
let me say etc.
Simplify tenses of verbs: "we go, we went, we will go" instead of: "we would go, we're going to go."
When using a quote from a book, use the present tense: Leo Tolstoy reminds us. Chekhov talks about it, and so on.
4. Impromptu performance (immediately, without preparation)
Narrow the topic down to what you can talk about. Take into account the audience.
Think about the main idea or points you would like to make.
Decide what the conclusion will be.
The danger of impromptu speaking is that you don't know when you're done. "A few words" can turn into incoherent rhetoric if you don't have a clear conclusion in your head. Before you start talking.
Start with a main statement that will let the audience know what you are going to talk about.
Preparation and opening statement should take no more than 15 seconds (after proper practice, you can reduce it to 5 seconds).
When reviewing your presentation, answer the following questions:
Did you stick to the topic?
Have you highlighted the points that you have outlined?
Was the conclusion strong?
5. How to answer questions
Question types:
- neutral, usually requiring information or explanation;
- friendly, changing the attitude to what was said (for example, “I agree with what you said, but what can we do?”);
- antagonistic(hostile). Usually used as a prologue to arguing or disagreeing with what you have said (for example, "Do you mean that ...).
Keep the following in mind when answering questions:
Don't look arrogant. Answer questions calmly and accurately.
Show those who ask hostile questions that you understand why they feel this way about everything, let them know that you have nothing against them personally and would like to find a common language with them.
Listen carefully to the question. Repeat or paraphrase it to make sure you understand it and that every listener can hear it.
If necessary, divide the question into several parts and answer each separately.
Answer briefly and to the point.
If the questioner interrupts you, pause and let him finish, then continue with your answer, but do not let him distract you from the essence of the answer. If the person keeps interrupting, don't start an argument.
Link responses to your speech (“Like I said…”).
Don't let one or two listeners monopolize question time.
It is very important that each person be creative in preparing and reciting public speaking, more fully and widely used his natural data, individual capabilities, skillfully applied the acquired skills and abilities.
