Public Speaking: Speaking With Confidence

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Public SpeakingSpeaking With Confidence

• Lisanne Masterson
• SASFAA President
• Director, Financial Aid
• Brevard College

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Topics To Be Covered

• Communication Basics
• Types of Speaking Situations
• Impromptu
• Prepared
• Panels, Forums, Debates
• Media
• Non-Verbal Communication
• Speech Delivery

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• We Communicate
• not by what we are,
• but by what listeners understand.
• We Communicate
• not by what we intend to say,
• but by what listeners see, hear and are willing
  to accept.
• We Communicate
• not by what we say,
• but by what listeners hear.

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The Speech Process

• Speaker
• Sends a Message
• Through a Channel/Medium
• To the Listener
• Who provides Feedback
• With possible Interference
• In the Situation

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The Communication Process

• Speaker
• Knowledge
• Experience
• Values
• Feelings
• Communication Skills
• Etc.

• Listener
• Knowledge
• Experience
• Values
• Feelings
• Communication Skills
• Etc.

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Impromptu

• Something we do all day, every day
• Anything we say which is totally unprepared
• Spoken without reference to something which is
  written

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Off The Top

• The trick is not that you have to think fast, but
  it is being able to decide to commit yourself
  fast.
• You must decide which of the many things that pop
  into your mind that you actually want to say and
  the best way to say it.

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Off The Top

• Something always pops into your mind. Sometimes
  your instinctive response is not appropriate.
  Develop the ability to say it courteously.
• For example If what you want to say is, Whats
  it to you?, say instead, Why are you
  interested?

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Off The Top Tips

• Be eloquent with simple words
• Keep your comments short, specific, honest,
  appropriate and active
• Put them together carefully
• Let silence be your punctuation
• Keep your posture relaxed, voice clear, and
  maintain direct eye contact

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Off The Top

• If what you say is effective, it will have a
  conclusion, a point, a focus or a punch line.
• Decide what is the most important thing you want
  people to hear, then say it.
• The conclusion, while thought of first, is spoken
  last.
• Practice talking aloud.

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Prepared Speeches

• Determine the purpose of the speech
• Choose and limit the topic
• Analyze the audience and the occasion
• Find appropriate material
• Organize and arrange the speech
• PRACTICE the speech aloud

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Introduction

• Relate the topic to your audience
• State the importance of your topic
• Startle the audience with a statement
• Arouse curiosity
• Begin with a quotation
• Tell a related story
• Be careful with jokes

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Body of Speech

• Personal Experiences/Anecdotes
• Statistics
• Quotes from Experts
• Use Vivid Language

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Conclusion

• Give cues when you are ready to conclude
• Summarize quickly
• Reinforce the conclusion/main idea
• Finish strong
• Pause immediately after speaking
• Thank the audience

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Panels

• A panel (or symposium) is a series of very
  brief presentations by a number of people held
  before an audience. Panel members are
  responsible for their prepared remarks and
  responding to each other. There is no active
  participation by the audience.

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Forums

• A forum is a period of discussion following a
  panel or symposium during which the audience and
  panel members exchange ideas, ask questions and
  comment on points made. Active audience
  participation is essential to the success of the
  event.

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Debates

• A debate is panel with two sides where a
  moderator asks questions, one of the participants
  makes their remarks, and then the opposing
  members are allowed time for a response. There
  is no active audience participation and can
  create a defensive atmosphere.

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Media

• Ask yourself, What is the reporters goal?
• Control the Agenda (i.e. know what they want, but
  decide what message you want to deliver and then
  work toward delivering that message.)
• Be prepared (i.e. make sure you have time to get
  the information you will need, prepare the
  answers you want to give, and find a place to use
  them.)
• Everything is On the Record (always consider
  the impact in print of anything you say keep
  the story positive)

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Media

• Be positive professional
• Answer questions, but dont fill silences
• Dont be afraid to say, I dont know
• Dont respond to alleged statements of others
• Dont answer hypothetical questions
• Remember the real audience is the public
• Sensitive Topics
• Take time to prepare a good response
• Get input from others
• Make it clear if you are speaking on behalf of a
  group or if you are only expressing your own
  opinion

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Non-Verbal Communication

• Must match the verbal to be believed
• People tend to believe the non-verbal cues
• Over one-half of our communication is non-verbal!
• Verbal
• Paralanguage
• Non-Verbal

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Successful Speech Delivery

• Have a positive mental attitude
• Know the surroundings
• Be clear, direct and concise
• Be physically animated
• Use vocal variety
• Remember to breathe
• Be YOURSELF!

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Tips for Effective Speaking

• Look at the entire audience
• Use speech enhancers (simple gestures, directed
  movements, pauses)
• Practice vocal variety
• Outline speech on note cards
• Maintain good posture

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Voice

• Learn how to speak using a microphone
• Adjust your volume to the situation
• Check your vocal pitch
• Talk slowly
• Pro-nun-ci-ate
• Articulate (i.e. say all of every word)
• Avoid acronyms

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Always Three Speeches

• The one you prepared to give
• The one you actually gave
• The brilliant one you delivered to yourself on
  the way home