Public speaking should be grounded on integrity from writing the speech to its delivery. Understanding the audience, their expectations, and their reasons for listening is vital. That way, the public speaker can correctly navigate pitfalls and dilemmas such as lying to meet the interest of the group, utilizing unreliable evidence, and paying attention to all listeners despite their opposing perspectives on the topic (Sure, 2022). Moreover, a person needs to decide whether hiring a publicist for branding and the implications are useful. Although there are many qualities of an excellent public speaker, the most paramount is ethical presentation which may be compromised when a publicist has different values.
A good public speaker has many qualities and a high moral standard to truthfully convey his message. The primary presentation skills include a proper articulation of content, confidence, appropriate body language, adequate pacing, enunciation, and strong openings (Dunn, 2017). In addition to these qualities, ethical speakers should disclose any conflict of interest, avoid misleading the audience and develop unique material without copying information. Thus, a good public speaker is measured by courageously delivering information without compromising on virtues.
The choice of a publicist should be grounded on the main reason for having one. Ideally, people hire advertisers to market their brand and increase the flow of clients (audience) during the speech. Creating brand awareness through a publicist is a good idea as it can make a person stand out and reach more people. However, according to Onsorio (2020), it is vital to maintain brand consistency by promoting the core values and expressing similarities with the advertising messages. The implication is that if a person hired lies in an endeavor to get more people, they compromise the integrity of the public speech. Thus, the speaker should ensure that the publicist understands and agrees with the core values before hiring.
In conclusion, a good public speaker should prepare well for the speech and deliver it confidently while communicating effectively to the listeners. On the day of presentation, practicing to hone the required skills is vital. Moreover, being honest in writing and delivery is critical when connecting with the audience and building a solid brand. In some cases, hiring a publicist may be necessary, but only when they have high moral values to remain consistent.
A persons life is impossible without communication with other people. The need to convey ones thoughts and experiences gave rise to oral, then written speech. To clearly and logically share ones thoughts with the interlocutor, it is necessary to know the basic rules of speech culture. A person speaking publicly should talk beautifully, build phrases correctly, and establish contact with the audience. Reading from a sheet is always perceived superficially, which is why the speaker must skillfully use both verbal and non-verbal means of language. This work is devoted to body language during the speeches of Martin Luther King I Have a Dream and Alicia Garza from the movement Black Lives Matter. Both speakers are charismatic and can win the audiences attention due to their high command of body language.
In his public speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. In addition, he spoke about equality and fraternity among people of all colors and nationalities. Kings speech contained aspects describing the need for jobs and freedom for the black population (Rare Facts, 2018). In her speech dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement, Garza also speaks about the importance of equality and tolerance towards the black population (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). She argues that racism and racial prejudice have no place in modern civilized society and calls on the audience to fight against any manifestations of racism.
These speeches have certain similarities and differences, which are first expressed in the manner of the speaker. The similarities of the speeches lie in the common theme they are dedicated to the fight against racism and inequality towards black people. Both speakers talk about unfair treatment, bias, and the need for tolerance since all people were created equal. King and Garza actively use the optical-kinetic sign system, including gestures and facial expressions (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). In addition, both speakers know the techniques of paralinguistics and extralinguistics, that is, the range and tonality of the voice and the inclusion of pauses in speech. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to notice differences in the approach to the performance of King and Garza.
Kings voice seems much more staged and saturated with intonations; it flows slowly and then accelerates, becoming more exciting and passionate. During Kings speech, it is difficult to tear eyes away from him and distract oneself with something else since his voice and somewhat imperious manner of speech completely capture and do not let go until the end (Rare Facts, 2018). Garzas performance seems calmer, and her intonations are balanced, as if she is not trying to convince the audience of her point of view but only stating facts (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). In addition, Kings speech is full of metaphors and vivid images and repetitions of the exact phrase, which is also the name of the address itself. All this creates a unique imprint and allows the speakers performance to occupy the audiences thoughts for a long time.
It can also be added that the place where the speech was delivered plays a significant role in influencing the audience. Kings speech was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, which adds to its significance and the necessary atmosphere since this place is one of the most important for Americans (Rare Facts, 2018). Garzas speech, on the other hand, cannot boast of a particular place of utterance, and therefore does not remain so much in memory, being only one of many speeches on this platform (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). Finally, the audience, which is present during the speech, is essential. For the most part, Kings audience, consisting of ordinary black workers, understood well what he was talking about and therefore supported him. Garzas audience is also well aware of the issues raised in the speech, thereby giving more weight to the speakers speech.
The essay is a commentary on an article titled Delivering Effective Oral Presentations: How to Succeed in Public Speaking written by Geraldine Eliot and published in 2008.
This is accomplished by giving a summery of the authors main points and a reflection on the article that includes good take-away, useful learning and interesting ideas. The author contends that in presentation one aim to pass or share information with an audience and for that matter there is need to think about the audience.
There are five sections discussed by the author. These include planning phase which entails collecting necessary information followed by organizing them in a logical sequence.
The second phase is designing of the presentation that focuses on how slides are to be developed. It is advised to use bullets and short sentences. Using a topic slide is also emphasized (Geraldine par. 2).
When images, graphs as well as other forms of graphic are to be used, then they opt to be clear. The stage of delivering the presentation is also vital and calls for the presenter to hook up the audience from the beginning. Emphasize the central points of the presentation and actively engage the audience.
Additionally maintaining eye contact is vital. One needs to be prepared to tackle questions and make it clear when the questions will be asked either before the close. The last phase is ending the presentation. The author contents that a strong ending of a presentation will be a plus as it will leave an impact to the audience (Geraldine par. 4).
This can be effectively done by giving a summery of main ideas and calling the audience to take actions. Lastly with regards to final tips, there are a number of them which include being smart, avoiding use of slangs as well as manners that distract one while in stage.
There are a number of things that I have learned and will try to put in practice. This includes designing an appropriate presentation which are audible and when graphics will be used there is need to adequately label them.
Additionally, being fully informed by carrying out an in-depth information searching is of paramount significance in coming up with an effective presentation. On the same note looking smart coupled with a smile while presenting is a plus to successful presentation to whatever kind of audience.
It is also sounds good when one stick to the time limit and this can be accomplished by practicing in advance on how to manage time and being familiar with the presentation. Of interest to me was avoiding use of slangs as well as manners that will distract the presenter.
According to Geraldine par. 5 majority of people have a fear or panic when presenting. To curb this, the ability to relax and taking a deep breath will work well in ensuring that one manages to effectively present.
Knowing the audience will help one prepared adequately in terms of the content as well as how to respond to questions. With regards to ending of a presentation, I was wondering how to end it strong.
The article has indeed given me insight on how to do it. For instance one can use the opportunity to summarize the main ideas or points, call the audience to take action or even use memorable quotes. The article is a good read to those who which to sharpen their presentation skills.
Work Cited
Geraldine, Eliot. Delivering Effective Oral Presentations: How to Succeed in Public Speaking, 2008. Web.
Public speaking or oration is an art the main intention of which is to entertain, persuade, or inform a target audience. However, the fear of public speaking is an issue that threatens the effectiveness of this form of art. This discussion looks at the causes of fears surrounding public speaking and techniques of overcoming these fears.
Why is the Fear of Public Speaking Common to People of All Ages?
The fear of public speaking comes out as the number one fear reported by people of all ages. According to Kumar, Kalakbandi, Prashar, and Parashar (2017), public speaking is a powerful stressor that can elicit strong individual and physiological reactions. The stressful effects that occur when addressing large audiences are associated with the fear of public speaking. Therefore, some people have a phobia about oration, which can be linked to differences in personality, beliefs, and the education level of an individual (Mattys, Seymour, Attwood, & Munafò, 2013).
Is Public Speaking a Fear?
Speech anxiety, also known as glossophobia, emanates from the inability of an individual to express his or her ideas publicly as planned. The fear of public speaking has existed from time immemorial and has affected the social lives of many people. This fear could be attributed to a myriad of factors. Speaking is governed by the cultural attributes of the society. Therefore, the fear of public speaking may arise from attempts to avoid clashing with the culturally-placed precepts. This fear should not be overlooked.
Causes of the Fear of Public Speaking
The list of the causes of anxiety during public speaking is inexhaustible. Nevertheless, they can be categorized into two main types: internal (psychophysiological factors) and external factors (Kumar et al., 2017). Internal factors include personal attributes with the main determinants being the mental and emotional state of an individual. On the other hand, external factors comprise stimuli from the environment such as noise and attention (or reactions) of the target audience.
Internal factors contributing to the fear of public speaking are thought to be the most influential dynamics. They range from health problems, low self-esteem, depression, aggressiveness, dissatisfaction with one’s abilities, among other factors. External factors, in contrast, are defined by the environment, which comprises cultural beliefs, language barrier, the general response of the audience, past failures, the fear of being ridiculed, and noisy audiences. There is a need to learn techniques that are helpful in overcoming the fear of public speaking to become a confident and fluent orator.
Important Techniques to Overcome Glossophobia
Public speaking is one of the indispensable tools for changing society. Every individual should be familiar with ways to avoid the fear of public speaking. With modern technology where the Internet rules, one can cope with the fear of public discourse by avoiding communal encounters through the use of electronic mails and social media, which offer fewer one-on-one interactive sessions (Kumar et al., 2017).
Knowing the right message to get across is an art that should be learned. Consequently, it is important to practice reciting one’s speech beforehand, especially when intending to give crucial information to the public. Practicing before the speech helps to instill a sense of confidence during the presentation. It is also important to anticipate different reactions from the public and plan how to react. In extreme cases of phobia, an individual can seek professional help. Virtual reality therapy is reported to be effective in overcoming public speaking phobia (Malbos, Rapee, & Kavakli, 2013).
Conclusion
The sole intention of overcoming public speaking fears is to feel safe and confident during an oration. Once one realizes that they lack confidence when addressing a group of people, he or she should take the necessary steps to gain confidence. The education system should also be involved in improving students’ oratory skills by encouraging them to present speeches on simple topics to their classmates.
References
Kumar, M., Kalakbandi, V., Prashar, S., & Parashar, A. (2017). Overcoming the effect of low self-esteem on public speaking anxiety with mindfulness-based interventions. Decision, 44(4), 287-296.
Malbos, E., Rapee, R. M., & Kavakli, M. (2013). Creation of interactive virtual environments for exposure therapy through game-level editors: Comparison and tests on presence and anxiety. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 29(12), 827-837.
Mattys, S. L., Seymour, F., Attwood, A. S., & Munafò, M. R. (2013). Effects of acute anxiety induction on speech perception: Are anxious listeners distracted listeners? Psychological Science, 24(8), 1606-1608.
Public speaking is a science and art of communication that enables an individual to pass a message to the audience in a clear and articulate manner in order to convince the audience. According to Livingston (2010), not many people have learnt the art of public speaking and presentation. The issue is not brought about by lack of what to say, but a strong form of public phobia.
Some people have big problems when it comes to public speaking, especially before a larger and more enlightened audience. They develop some nervousness before the audience and end up performing very poorly in their presentation.
Nervousness is always associated with lack of confidence in one’s self. It is brought about by the fear that others will probably judge the speech and the speaker unfairly. It may also be brought about by setting the goals to high to be realized in order to please the public.
Public speaking and presentation should not be a complex task to the speaker. It is normal and even beneficial for the speaker to feel a little nervous when planning to make a public speech, especially when the speech is expected to generate a massive change of thought to the audience. However, this nervousness should be transformed into enthusiasm to deliver quality speech to the audience.
The speaker must understand that the audience is determined to make his speech a success and that is why they are seated to listen. For this reason, the speaker must take up the challenge, develop positive attitude and manage the nerves in order to deliver a quality speech. This research will focus on better public speaking and presentation.
How to Make Public Speaking and Presentation a Success
There have been arguments that some people are naturally born with the capacity to make powerful presentation, while others are naturally shy. Other scholars have also argued that ability of an individual to make a better public speech and presentation would depend on the confidence inculcated in him or her in the family and at school during the developmental stage.
These arguments may be true, but they are not a focus on this paper. The focus of the paper is how to develop a powerful speech and presentation irrespective of one’s background. The following are some of the tips one should learn and embrace in order to make powerful speeches to the public.
Make a Plan
Huff (2008) says that public speaking does not just happen automatically. The process should be planned for if one expects a success. In this case, planning will start by understanding the material to be presented. The speaker must internalize what the message is, and why it is important to the audience. The speaker must try to visualize the possible reactions of the audience.
He should then determine how to take advantage of their reaction. A detailed research into that particular topic would help the speaker have a mastery of it. This will give him or her sense of authority over the topic. It would be easier for the speaker to respond to questions that may be posed by the audience during the speech.
Practice the Speech
Some of the most admired public speakers developed their skills gradually through constant practice. It is a fact that a great speech will be given if the speaker knows how to present the material and how to work-up the audience positively. This does not come automatically. It requires the speaker to make constant practice on how the speech would be.
This may involve speaking before an imagined audience (inside an empty hall perhaps) and recording the voice. The speaker would then listen to his own speech and make changes as may be appropriate. This should continue until the speaker feels that he or she is satisfied with the speech.
Engage with the Audience
According to Jaffe (2012), most audience does not prefer passive listeners when a speech is made. They like participating in the process, however minimal their participation could be.
When a speaker engages the public, he or she will make them active listeners who are participating in the speech. It is very easy to fight nervousness by actively engaging the public. For instance, when one poses a question to an audience, the attention of the audience will shift from the speaker to the audience who is asked the question.
The speaker can grab this opportunity to rearrange himself and be ready to deliver a more powerful presentation. Active audience participation will also reassure the speaker that his speech is being followed, especially when there is a nod and some other forms of approval from the audience. This helps increase the confidence levels and motivation for the speaker.
Know the Audience and Familiarize with the Room
Being a stranger is always associated with increased nervousness. When one finds him or herself in a completely new set up, and with peoples who are total strangers, then it becomes possible to make a great speech because the attention will be divided. The speaker will be trying to familiarize with the place and the people during the process of making the speech.
This should be avoided as much as possible. This can be achieved by making a prior visit to the place where the speech is to be made. This familiarity increases confidence levels. The speaker should also get to know a few people who will make the audience.
Presence of familiar faces in the audience would help reassure the speaker and encourage him or her to make a powerful presentation. A prior knowledge of the audience may also help the speaker have a clue as to some of the possible questions they can raise during the presentation. This would enhance the planning process.
Realize that the Audience Expects Success
Griffin (2012) once said that the moment one realizes that he is given opportunity to speak as others sit and listen, then he should know that he has something of value to offer to the public. Time is very precious, and the moment people come together to listen to a speech of another individual, it is important for the speaker to honor the privilege.
He or she must realize that the audience wants him to succeed in the speech and that is why they are seated to listen. The speaker must not perceive the audience as individuals who are determined to criticize the speech or any little mistake the speaker makers.
On the contrary, the speaker should view the audience as people who have come to listen and support the message the speaker is passing across to the people. This feeling would help the speaker create some form of cordial relationship with the audience that will help fight nervousness.
Concentrate on the Message other than the Medium
When one sets forth to deliver a speech, it is important to give maximum concentration to the message other than the medium of delivery. This would help shape the focus. It is not always guaranteed that the audience would always be supportive and friendly to the speaker. It is a common occurrence for an individual to be jeered by the audience if the issue under discussion is controversial or in cases of political rallies.
The jeering will always affect the medium of delivering the message. If an individual gives too much attention on the medium, then he or she would lose focus when this medium is affected. In order to achieve the desired success, the speaker must focus on the message and make it as articulate and convincing as possible.
The speaker must realize that others could have misled the jeering audience and that it is his responsibility to make the records straight. It would be a pleasant surprise to see that after ignoring the jeers and pushing on with the message to the audience, the jeers turns into cheers.
Develop Captivating Experiences or Stories on the Topic
When delivering a speech, one may realize that it reaches a moment the audience loses concentration on the presentation. This is common when the speech in long. A speaker can detect this detachment by identifying if some audience are dozing off, or engaging in other activities that are not part of the presentation. This should be a signal to the speaker.
He should realize that something must be done to draw their attention back. To do this, the speaker must do or say something that will arouse their attention. It is at this moment that one should bring in a narration of personal experience or relevant story to the message being passed across. The message should be either thrilling or scaring to the audience.
Some people would pay more attention when there is a mentioned of an issue that may be a threat to their comfort. This may involve saying how some people perished or suffered due to lack of information that you are now presenting. The experience should be real, and preferably one that the audience can recall.
Alternatively, one can bring in an experience or story of people who succeeded because of the message being passed across because others are always very active when it comes to motivational stories.
The speaker can also consider bringing in an amusing story that would make the audience laugh and refocus on the speech he is making. The small but relevant deviations from the main topic help fight monotony and boredom among the audience.
Pay Special Attention to the Body Language
To make a powerful presentation, one needs more than just a clear voice and a mastery of the message to be passed across. A powerful presentation would need involvement of one’s entire body. This starts from the dress code one chooses when planning to make a speech. The mode of dressing should be conscious of the kind of audience one plans to address.
For this reason, it would be illogical for the speaker to casual dressing when going to address an official forum. This is because the first impression that people have about a person always shape their judgment of the person.
This impression is always based on the presentation of the person in terms of dress code, the condition of the hair and such other related issues. The speaker should avoid cases where the audience dismisses him or her before the speech due to the attire chosen.
Once in the podium, it is importance for the speaker to realize that the body language is very important in capturing the attention of the audience. Standing motionlessly and being unemotional during the speech presentation will help in diverting the attention to other things. They will slowly drift from the speech, and unless something is done to salvage the situation, the speech will make no impact on them.
To avoid such cases, public speaker should walk along the podium, use hands and body to emphasize on some points, and maintain direct eye contact with some audience. Facial expressions such a smile, a frown when needed, a wink, and such other expressions should constantly are used.
Conclusion
It is true that making a successful speech may be a challenge to many. However, what a public speaker must realize when making a speech is that in order to deliver a powerful speech, there is needed to plan. Powerful presentations do not just come automatically.
They are planned and carefully practiced. When making speech presentation, a speaker should realize that feeling nervous is normal, but the nervousness should be managed in order to make the speech a success. Use of relevant stories and body language can help improve the presentation.
References
Griffin, C. (2012). Invitation to public speaking. Australia: Cengage Learning.
Huff, W. (2008). Public speaking: A concise overview for the twenty-first century. New York: Peter Lang.
Jaffe, C. (2012). Public speaking: Concepts and skills for a diverse society. Boston: Cengage Learning.
Livingston, R. (2010). Advanced public speaking: Dynamics and techniques. Bloomington: Xlibris Corp.
It has been long established that the magnitude of the persuasion component of one’s speech hinges on the quality of their public speaking skills. This is especially so when it comes to corporate communication that presupposes impromptu speeches, interviews, formal brand promotions, and performance presentations among others (Baccarani & Bonfanti, 2015). Thus, public speaking skills should be treated as one of the most important instruments in a managerial toolbox.
The aim of this paper is to reply to a discussion of glossophobia by deliberating on the importance of effective public speaking in the twenty-first-century business environment. The paper will also outline several strategies for overcoming the fear of public speaking and boosting the effectiveness of one’s oral presentation.
Discussion
Effective Public Speaking in Business
The twenty-first-century business environment necessitates impeccable speaking abilities that exceed the natural endowments of many managers. A study conducted by Baccarani and Bonfanti (2015) shows that there is a bi-directional link between effective public speaking and corporate success. It follows that forward-looking managers have to boost their communication effectiveness by regularly engaging in practice as well as finding engaging avenues for oral presentation. In addition, it is necessary to base one’s communication messages on the two principles of persuasive communication: logos, ethos, and pathos.
Multiple lines of the investigation point to the fact that speaking skills function as a launching pad into the business world. According to Jackson (2013), the employability of business graduates depends on their ability to communicate in an effective and engaging manner. A corollary is that without taking active steps towards the elimination of speaking anxiety and enhancing the effectiveness of one’s oral delivery, it is not possible to succeed in the field of business.
Development of Public Speaking Skills
Many managers presented with the necessity to deliver a speech in public exhibit nervous habits that degrade the quality of their presentation, thereby diminishing the persuasiveness of their messages. Speakers who are aware of their lack of habit control are reluctant to participate in public speaking events. A study conducted by Spieler and Miltenberger (2017) suggests that public speaking anxiety can be overcome through the elimination of filled pauses, inappropriately used words, and other manifestations of nervousness. The authors argue that awareness training is highly effective in both ameliorating the intensity of target negative communication habits and improving individuals’ confidence (Spieler & Miltenberger, 2017).
Public speaking anxiety can also be treated with the help of modern technologies. Specifically, there is ample evidence pointing to the fact that virtual reality therapy can be effectively applied for addressing the issue of public speaking anxiety for both individuals with high and moderate discomfort levels (Stupar-Rutenfrans, Ketelaars, & Gisbergen, 2017). By gradually exposing participants to virtual reality environments with animated audiences, it is possible to remove their anxiety reactions. It has to be borne in mind that many individuals feel uncomfortable about public speaking due to the realization of the inadequacy of their body language (Kar, 2017). Rao (2017) argues that body language eloquence can be enhanced by simple mirroring techniques and the processing of informal feedback. It follows that the quality of one’s communication is a function of training and repetition.
Conclusion
The paper has discussed the importance of public speaking skills in the modern business environment. It has been argued that the elimination of public speaking anxiety should be on every manager’s agenda because corporate communication necessitates high levels of persuasiveness, which can be only achieved through the impeccable delivery of oral messages.
References
Baccarani, C., & Bonfanti, A. (2015). Effective public speaking: A conceptual framework in the corporate-communication field. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 20(3), 375-390.
Jackson, D. (2013). Business graduate employability—Where are going wrong? Higher Education Research & Development, 32(5), 776-790.
Kar, A. K. (2017). How to walk your talk: Effective use of body language for business professionals. Journal of Soft Skills, 11(1), 16-28.
Rao, M. S. (2017). Tools and techniques to boost the eloquence of your body language in public speaking. Industrial and Commercial Training, 49(2), 75-79.
Spieler, C., & Miltenberger, R. (2017). Using awareness training to decrease nervous habits during public speaking. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 50(1), 38-47.
Stupar-Rutenfrans, S., Ketelaars, L. E. H., & Gisbergen, M. S. (2017). Beat the fear of public speaking: Mobile 360 video virtual reality exposure training in home environment reduces public speaking anxiety. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(10), 624-633.
It is significant to note that public speaking and eloquence skills positively affect personal development. This is due to the fact that a human being is constantly progressing and enhancing the scope of the worldview. For example, while researching and presenting a complicated topic about the adaptation of soldiers after the war, the desire to volunteer or help them may appear (Gamble & Gamble, 2020). At the same time, the speaker should convince the listeners of the credibility of the arguments; accordingly, one needs to develop self-confidence. This ability will also be extremely valuable in career advancement and even in ordinary life situations. For instance, successful public speakers more easily pass university exams or assert their legitimate interests in ordinary life circumstances. It is worth noting that public speaking provides a skill for controlling words and actions (Gamble & Gamble, 2020). This also allows one to use it in ordinary life by maintaining one’s environment.
Effective communication is a practiced skill that develops through public speaking. However, it can be applied to successful communication at work or in the family. In both cases, objectives can be achieved, such as forming professional ideas and presenting them to management (Gamble & Gamble, 2020). Moreover, such a qualification will positively affect the atmosphere among family or friends because misunderstandings will not be an issue. Even when hiring, most employers prefer candidates with developed public speaking abilities. Accordingly, this increases the chances of getting a high-paying and desirable job (Gamble & Gamble, 2020). Finally, representing one’s interests and expressing opinions allows one to advocate for the community actively. For example, using public speaking abilities provides an opportunity to persuade authorities and the community to build a park or a new hospital. Thus, skills generally permit one to pursue personal career aims and community goals.
Reference
Gamble, T. K., & Gamble, M. W. (2020). The public speaking playbook. Sage Publications.
The first presentation chosen for analysis was delivered within a TEDx Talks conference by Darryll Stinson on the topic of “Overcoming rejection, when people hurt you & life isn’t fair.” The presenter logically constructs the flow of the information starting from comprehensible examples of the issues at hand, their definition, and further elaboration on how to recognize and address them. Darryll Stinson’s strength in the analyzed presentation is in the introduction of the argument in the middle of the speech. Once the harms of rejection are characterized and explained in detail, so the audience is capable of comprehending the scope of its impact, the speaker emphasizes the importance of using rejection as a developmental tool (TEDx Talks, 2019). Furthermore, the speaker effectively refers to authoritative sources to justify his claim about the connection between depression, rejection, and high suicide rates (TEDx Talks, 2019).
Similarly, the use of personal experience and the sharing of the emotional struggles the speaker overcame in his journey toward understanding the value of rejection help to build rapport.
Another important and strong feature identified in this speech is the engagement of the audience and their experiences related to the topic to demonstrate its relatable nature. Indeed, Darryll Stinson directly addresses the audience by referring to the most common occurrences of people being rejected (TEDx Talks, 2019). In such a manner, the presenter succeeds at keeping the audience’s attention and facilitates their engagement, ultimately contributing to the successful perception of the argument and the change in their behavior. In the practice of public speaking, one should use the identified logical structural approach, mid-speech argument placement, reference to personal experience and authoritative sources, as well as engagement with the audience to ensure that the message is successfully delivered to the target audience.
One of the main weaknesses is that no visual aids in the form of slides or pictures were used, which made it difficult for the audience to comprehend abstract notions and complex psychological processes. The definitions introduced at the beginning of the speech were delivered fast and without proper visualization for memorizing and understanding, which might have been challenging for the listeners to engage in the speech and remain attentive. In addition, despite the serious nature of the topic discussed, which implies limited opportunities for using humor for audience engagement and relaxation, the speaker scarcely used this technique. In fact, only two jokes were made throughout the speech, which might have left an overall overwhelming impression. Therefore, one should avoid using solely verbal means of communication and ensure diversifying the presentation of information using visual means.
The speaker effectively uses body language by emphasizing the important points and phrases with hand gestures, as well as genuinely shadowing the emotional characteristics of the narrative with facial expressions and the tone of the voice. Darryll Stinson continuously makes eye contact with the audience, naturally moves around the stage, and does not show nervousness. There are no unnecessary or awkward pauses in his speech, which flow steadily and unveil without disruptions.
Presentation 2
The second presentation selected for the analysis was delivered by Andy Billings and is entitled “We need to integrate public speaking into education.” Andy Billings opens his speech with a humoristic and appealing introduction with a smile on his face, which sets a positive starting point for the whole communication during the presentation (TEDx Talks, 2016). The positivity of the onset is enhanced through the presentation of the speaker’s personal experience. Notably, the reference to the individual experiences is intentionally put at the beginning and at the end of the speech, which provides it with a feeling of finished and resolved issue. Another strong feature of the presentation is that the argument of the presentation is clarified with the help of illustration of the importance of public speaking in education. To support his claims, Andy Billings uses statistics and references to authoritative sources, which enhance the argument’s credibility.
The speaker effectively uses rhetorical questions to make his point clear and engage the audience in a critical perception of the speech. Furthermore, by moving from using the personal pronouns “I” and “you” to the repetitive use of the pronoun “we,” Andy Billings manages to emphasize the social relevance of the issue for which he argues and reassures the audience that they are the part of the community that might lead the change (TEDx Talks, 2016, 00:00:30-00:05:50). A similar effect is achieved through referring to the listeners as folks, which allows for a friendlier, more engaging transmission of the ideas.
As for the weaknesses, the speaker’s body language is monotonous and does not specifically reflect the tone and importance of the utterances. In addition, due to the particularities of the audience’s placement in a u-shaped manner, the speaker often turns his back to the part of the audience instead of merely turning his head to avoid a rude body position. Furthermore, there were several stutters and word mispronunciation that were caused by the speed of speech, which were not crucially impactful within the scope of the whole speech but should be avoided to ensure the smooth flow of the information. Moreover, similar to the first analyzed speech, there were no visual aids used, which made the speech monotonous. Overall, it is relevant to avoid such weaknesses in public speaking to ensure that both the content and the delivery are interesting, appealing, engaging, and impactful. However, since the speaker is standing among the seated audience but not on the stage, the visual contact is better incorporated into the presentation, which enhances the emotional connection with the listeners.
Comparison of the Two Presentations
Based on the analysis of the two speeches and the identified strengths and weaknesses, one might state that the speech delivered by Darryll Stinson is more effective than the one by Andy Billings. The first speech touches on a wider variety of issues and provides more practical tips for the audience. Moreover, Darryll Stinson’s speech is more effective because it is intertwined with sincere and emotionally colored personal experience. Indeed, the presenter uses such words as “cry, get angry and bitter” to illustrate the emotions and trigger the audience’s reflection (TEDx Talks, 2019, 00:11:55-00:12:00). Although both speakers use straightforward language to explain their claims and support their arguments, the first speaker manages to trigger more response in the audience, who react to his narration.
Therefore, Darryll Stinson’s speech is more empowering and motivational; it has more impact on the audience by triggering a response and actions upon providing the guidelines on how to overcome rejection. In addition, the series of closing rhetorical questions are characterized by anaphora “I wonder,” which reinforces the importance of change that initially was the goal of the speech (TEDx Talks, 2019, 00:12:06-00:12:39). Thus, the use of public speaking practices in the first presentation is considered more effective.
Public speaking should be grounded on integrity from writing the speech to its delivery. Understanding the audience, their expectations, and their reasons for listening is vital. That way, the public speaker can correctly navigate pitfalls and dilemmas such as lying to meet the interest of the group, utilizing unreliable evidence, and paying attention to all listeners despite their opposing perspectives on the topic (Sure, 2022). Moreover, a person needs to decide whether hiring a publicist for branding and the implications are useful. Although there are many qualities of an excellent public speaker, the most paramount is ethical presentation which may be compromised when a publicist has different values.
A good public speaker has many qualities and a high moral standard to truthfully convey his message. The primary presentation skills include a proper articulation of content, confidence, appropriate body language, adequate pacing, enunciation, and strong openings (Dunn, 2017). In addition to these qualities, ethical speakers should disclose any conflict of interest, avoid misleading the audience and develop unique material without copying information. Thus, a good public speaker is measured by courageously delivering information without compromising on virtues.
The choice of a publicist should be grounded on the main reason for having one. Ideally, people hire advertisers to market their brand and increase the flow of clients (audience) during the speech. Creating brand awareness through a publicist is a good idea as it can make a person stand out and reach more people. However, according to Onsorio (2020), it is vital to maintain brand consistency by promoting the core values and expressing similarities with the advertising messages. The implication is that if a person hired lies in an endeavor to get more people, they compromise the integrity of the public speech. Thus, the speaker should ensure that the publicist understands and agrees with the core values before hiring.
In conclusion, a good public speaker should prepare well for the speech and deliver it confidently while communicating effectively to the listeners. On the day of presentation, practicing to hone the required skills is vital. Moreover, being honest in writing and delivery is critical when connecting with the audience and building a solid brand. In some cases, hiring a publicist may be necessary, but only when they have high moral values to remain consistent.
A person’s life is impossible without communication with other people. The need to convey one’s thoughts and experiences gave rise to oral, then written speech. To clearly and logically share one’s thoughts with the interlocutor, it is necessary to know the basic rules of speech culture. A person speaking publicly should talk beautifully, build phrases correctly, and establish contact with the audience. Reading from a sheet is always perceived superficially, which is why the speaker must skillfully use both verbal and non-verbal means of language. This work is devoted to body language during the speeches of Martin Luther King “I Have a Dream” and Alicia Garza from the movement “Black Lives Matter.” Both speakers are charismatic and can win the audience’s attention due to their high command of body language.
In his public speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. In addition, he spoke about equality and fraternity among people of all colors and nationalities. King’s speech contained aspects describing the need for jobs and freedom for the black population (Rare Facts, 2018). In her speech dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement, Garza also speaks about the importance of equality and tolerance towards the black population (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). She argues that racism and racial prejudice have no place in modern civilized society and calls on the audience to fight against any manifestations of racism.
These speeches have certain similarities and differences, which are first expressed in the manner of the speaker. The similarities of the speeches lie in the common theme they are dedicated to the fight against racism and inequality towards black people. Both speakers talk about unfair treatment, bias, and the need for tolerance since all people were created equal. King and Garza actively use the optical-kinetic sign system, including gestures and facial expressions (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). In addition, both speakers know the techniques of paralinguistics and extralinguistics, that is, the range and tonality of the voice and the inclusion of pauses in speech. Nevertheless, it is not difficult to notice differences in the approach to the performance of King and Garza.
King’s voice seems much more staged and saturated with intonations; it flows slowly and then accelerates, becoming more exciting and passionate. During King’s speech, it is difficult to tear eyes away from him and distract oneself with something else since his voice and somewhat imperious manner of speech completely capture and do not let go until the end (Rare Facts, 2018). Garza’s performance seems calmer, and her intonations are balanced, as if she is not trying to convince the audience of her point of view but only stating facts (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). In addition, King’s speech is full of metaphors and vivid images and repetitions of the exact phrase, which is also the name of the address itself. All this creates a unique imprint and allows the speaker’s performance to occupy the audience’s thoughts for a long time.
It can also be added that the place where the speech was delivered plays a significant role in influencing the audience. King’s speech was delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, which adds to its significance and the necessary atmosphere since this place is one of the most important for Americans (Rare Facts, 2018). Garza’s speech, on the other hand, cannot boast of a particular place of utterance, and therefore does not remain so much in memory, being only one of many speeches on this platform (Center for Constitutional Rights, 2015). Finally, the audience, which is present during the speech, is essential. For the most part, King’s audience, consisting of ordinary black workers, understood well what he was talking about and therefore supported him. Garza’s audience is also well aware of the issues raised in the speech, thereby giving more weight to the speaker’s speech.