Speaking: Literacy Made Public

Speaking in public, according to many people, is often considered to be an event filled with dread, maybe even fear. If you are one of those people, I’d like you to think about the times you are called on to speak in a slightly different, more positive way if you can.  Try to remember a time when you accomplished a feat that resulted in a feeling of relief and gratitude if not pride.  Well, delivering a speech articulately, even to one person, can engender that same feeling of euphoria, not to mention a possible successful response from your listeners.

            Having worked on public speaking with young people for many years, I believe unequivocally that confidence is the key to speech communication, and it is achievable by following some important tips.  Notice I didn’t say easy tips, but anything worth doing is worth doing well, especially if it contributes to your literacy, and the effort is well worth the end result.

            Tip #1

            Be prepared with the information you want to deliver.  It is the single most important piece of advice I can offer.  Whether you are speaking to your boss, giving a wedding toast, reporting information in a presentation, or delivering a speech in front of the masses, know and plan carefully what you want to say.  I don’t mean you simply need to memorize your speech, although that helps.  I’m talking about the written draft in which you have already taken into consideration the following:

·         who your audience is (crucial),

·          the purpose and tone of the speech—the occasion, and

·          the techniques and information you have included that will hold the audience’s attention (See Dance of Language for rhetorical devices.)

Tip #2

            Eye contact: Know the content of your speech well enough to take your eyes away from your notes frequently.  This eye contact with your audience keeps the listeners engaged.  Symbolically, the eyes are the windows to the soul; therefore, when you look into the eyes of other people, you are creating a momentary bond with them, and there is power in such an act. Make your audience believe you are interested in what they think; the truth is, you are. If you are addressing a large audience, span the group with your eyes as you speak; don’t single out and engage only a certain few in the group.

            Tip #3

            Poise reveals body language which speaks volumes about your self confidence.  Several techniques can conceal your nervousness.

·         Put your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet.  That tiny shift in weight can prevent your legs from shaking.  Don’t lean forward so much that you lose your balance.

·         Plant your feet solidly on the floor with comfortable space between your feet.  Unless you plan to walk around, leave your feet there to avoid nervous movement of your legs.

·         Rest your hands on the speaker’s stand if there is one, or by your side.  Don’t put your hands in your pockets or play with your clothes, jewelry, or glasses.  Do not touch  your hair.  Nervousness is a natural feeling, but your audience doesn’t need to be reminded of your emotional state; encourage them to focus on what you have to say.

·         Gesture and move for a reason.  Do not feel compelled to do so unless these moves actually contribute to the effectiveness of the delivery of your speech.

Tip #4

            Volume and clarity: Speak from your diaphragm, not your chest; you’ll have more air to push that sound through your vocal chords.  After all, if your listeners can’t hear you, they won’t pay attention to you. End of story.  Although volume is essential, clarity of your spoken words is, too.  Enunciate clearly; pronounce each word from beginning to end.  In informal situations, many of us speak quickly and drop the final consonant sounds so that some of our words become garbled.  You might imagine that you are speaking in a strange way by slowly pronouncing each word very distinctly, but to your listener, your speech simply sounds clear and easy to understand.

            Tip #5

            Speak at an even pace, not too fast, not too slowly.  Remember that the pause can be a valuable tool.  Pausing allows the listener to absorb your points as well as recognize the delineation between points.  A pause acts as a separation between points, ideas, or any individual segment of your speech.

            Tip #6

            Practice a number of times several days in advance of the appointed time if possible.  If not, practice as often as you can before the delivery.  Even a short speech or a one-on-one with the boss needs some kind of rehearsal simply because the brain will remember the drill when you have to present the actual speech. There is something daunting about first times, and your brain will be tricked into thinking you’ve done it before. Some of your nervousness will dissipate with this previously visualized experience.

            Tip #7

            Dress for the part as if you were in a play. Okay, let me explain.  Every speech, big or small, involves drama to an extent.  The part you are playing in this little drama is a person of sincerity, of confidence, of knowledge and expertise. The clothes you wear should be appropriate to the occasion, but my advice is to dress on the conservative side.  You want your audience to be attracted to your words, not your clothes.  Give your audience your best persona.  All of us humans have shortcomings, imperfections, and weaknesses, but in this theatrical event, the speaker plays the role of one who at that moment is asking the audience to believe in the strong, powerful, insightful, wise person in front of them. 

            Every year my students are required to write and deliver persuasive speeches to an audience of about three hundred.  After teaching them how to write a speech based on three classical appeals of logos, ethos, and pathos and a number of rhetorical devices that encourage persuasion, we work endlessly on physical delivery.  On the big day, after writing a good speech, memorizing it, and rehearsing it numerous times, the success these students experience is life altering.  Very few experiences in the classroom come close to this one for instilling confidence.  I hope you will find this same result when you apply some of these techniques.  After all, speaking is a major form of demonstrating lambent literacy.