THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

It’s no surprise that celebrities are idolized by so many people. Some celebrities have the charm and character to attract audiences and fans. Some would admire their appearance, voice, acting abilities, and approach to media and people. I admire those who can communicate effectively.
The way a person speaks and presents himself or herself through words is a powerful skill. It can be manipulative at times, but if used correctly, this skill can provide numerous benefits.

Every time I listen to Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, I feel like I could listen to him for hours on end. He would use phrases and words – although I have heard them before – in a way that makes them sound better and more convincing. This is what I call the art of public speaking.

One of my all-time favorite skills is public speaking. A skill that usually requires calm, confidence, and focuses. But it is not as difficult as most people believe. Yes, you must put in a lot of effort to become an excellent public speaker and perform without fear. That, however, is not rocket science.

WHY DO YOU CALL PUBLIC SPEAKING AN ART?

Let us define Artist before we get to it. An artist is someone who creates art, such as painting, music, writing, and speaking, using a very conscious skill and an outstanding creative imagination.

Why do we call Leonardo da Vinci an artist? Because da Vinci came up with something distinctive that no one probably has ever thought of before. He made his paintings unique and different from any other painter of his time. We have all heard about and seen the Mona Lisa, phenomenal. 

Is public speaking an art form? Not every speaker, however, is an artist. There are some speakers whose delivery or performance style I dislike. Some speakers will speak in a very common and normal manner. It takes more than that to be able to call yourself an artist. 

Why should we be very concerned about a speaker having his or her unique speaking skills? Does it matter?

Of course, it matters, and we should be concerned. At least if you want to be a public speaker. A public speaker must have a distinct and appealing style. Assume you are a university student who attends a lecture and your professor is boring. Do you still want to be there and listen to him? No, you wouldn’t. Wouldn’t you prefer a professor who is interesting and speaks attractively? I believe you would. 

The act of presenting an idea to the public using your voice is known as public speaking. The public can range from a small group of people to a large crowd. Most people associate a larger audience with greater fear, but some people are just as terrified of presenting to a small group.

The first thing that comes to mind when we think of public speaking is someone giving an inspirational or educational speech in the style of a TED talk, but the definition isn’t as narrow as that. Providing a work presentation, pitching an idea to an investor, leading a school assembly, or even participating in a job interview are all examples of public speaking. 

Mastering your public speaking skills will grant you a very good performance while being interviewed, or even talking to an investor.

HISTORY OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

As you might expect, public speaking is nothing new. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who used public speaking as a political tool during debates and assemblies. The primary goal of their speeches, known as rhetoric, was to persuade people. Plato and Aristotle were famous public speakers, and their words are still remembered today. Why? Because they mastered their speeches, they used their imagination and have a very unique speaking styles.

This use of rhetoric persisted in ancient Rome, where famous public speakers ( skilled ones are called orators ) like Marcus Tullius Cicero used their voices to persuade people in the courts and political arenas. These techniques used by the ancient Greeks and Romans can still be found in modern speeches, such as those delivered by Barack Obama, the former president of the United States.

MASTERING THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

If you want to be an excellent speaker, there are a few things you should do for yourself. The first thing to remember is that even famous public speakers are afraid of standing in front of an audience. They maintain control. However, what you require is for you to be yourself. Never, ever attempt to imitate another public speaker.

Your audience wants you to be yourself. They didn’t come all the way to see you only to be given another character. If this is your first time delivering a speech, give a reason to return. Remember, you’re giving an art now. It should be one-of-a-kind, imaginative, and spectacular.

Knowing who you’re speaking to makes it easier to decide how to begin your speech. With a backstory? Humor? Or maybe something else. Prepare your speeches differently depending on who you are speaking to. Before you walk out in the middle of a stage, research the people who will be there. How do you know who will appear? Every topic attracts a distinct type of audience. For example, suppose you’re getting ready to discuss the upcoming World Cup. Then you’re speaking to football fans. If you want to talk about it, you should know what will appeal to each of them. Add some magic to it, and watch the audience go wild.

The last thing a speaker wants is to lose the audience before they even get to the meat of their speech. Get your audience to look at you and listen to you like Game of Thrones fans when the show begins. There was silence, nodes, and open mouths. Make them come alive in every word and letter you say. Like when I listen to Dr. Jordan B Peterson.

YOUR MOVEMENT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU

One hidden secret of public speaking that makes it more attractive and exciting is body movement. In the beginning, I wasn’t paying proper attention to body movement every time I talk about public speaking. But I realized after a while that this is as important as preparing for your speech. It wouldn’t look interesting if your body movement did not sync together with your words. 

If a speaker does not move enough on stage, there is a big possibility that the audience might start yawning. On the other hand, the excessive movement must be avoided while giving a speech as well. Most of the time, if you move a lot on stage, the audience will assume you are trying to hide behind your movement, to take away their sight from your unwell-prepared speech. 

Movement should always be intentional and serve to engage the audience rather than distract attention from the speech. Other nervous habits to be aware of include shifting weight from side to side, tapping a leg or foot, and so on. Moving to different parts of the room throughout the speech will help you if you have a nervous habit. Don’t be afraid to give it a shot. The most confident speakers make use of their surroundings and are not afraid to be close to their audience.