THE ART OF SPEAKING-4

 THE ART OF SPEAKING-4

The effort:

It is wise to understand the intricacies of a topic chosen for a speech. Every topic has several facets of information. It is unwise to touch upon every facet of an issue because different determinants come in to play in deciding the success of a suggestion. An avid speaker would merely identify the components of an issue and also declare that [s]he would confine to certain specific items. Now, the territory having been restricted, it is easier to analyze the intricacies of the chosen items. Conflicting views if any may be presented. Sometimes the speaker may have a preference among them. On such occasions [s]he may indicate the reasons for preference so that the listeners perceive the intention better. Quite some homework may have to be gone into as a preparatory exercise in augmenting the panorama of the concept.

It is not necessary that one should try to exhibit the volume of effort that has gone in to the exercise. A larger survey is suggested for achieving the maximum clarity for the speaker. Once the panorama is clear, it is easy to drive logic in all the interpretations that together account for comprehension.  Comprehension is the first requirement and the last reward respectively for the speaker and the listeners. If the effort serves this ably, it signifies a good speech. A number of attributes determines the quality of a speech. Reaching the audience is the intention; but how elegantly it is done determines the bondage [rapport] between the speaker and the listeners. A good speaker achieves it with in a couple of minutes of beginning the speech.  

The strategy:

The foremost need in making a speech acceptable is to be thorough with all the factual details relevant to the topic. Divergent views must be also well known to the speaker. This is essential for answering questions during interactions. A ready gist of points for reference is an ideal tool to provide the necessary back-up for discussion. A ritualistic reading from a “prepared text” is bound to depress the enthusiasm to listen.

Voice matters the most in all public speaking. Voice is not just the volume; it is a blend of components like pitch and pace ideal for the occasion. A speaker has to be “alive” to the situation in the sense that, appropriate volume of the voice must be arrived at to suit the acoustics. An optimum space between the receiver of the microphone and the mouth of the speaker determines the comfort in listening. While sticking to the optimum gap the speaker can still slightly wobble the head to sustain body language and natural disposition. Staying at the microphone should not be a rigid formality.

If the speaker has to turn the head off the “optimum gap” from the microphone, a slight raise of voice would compensate and keep the audience comfortable. Ignoring these basics automatically destroys “continuity” in listening. A couple of such breaks are enough to damage the attitude of listening. Any speaker desires,being heard. But, [s]he seldom accords the due priority to acoustic-based delivery of speech. Many persons have the belief that a microphone would take care of these requirements. Shouting or whispering to a microphone does not help a bit. Tuning our volume to suit the gadget is a simple and an effective tool to tap the audience. Making oft-repeated ritualistic statements does not help any one including the speaker. As far as possible a speaker should try to bring in fresh and appropriate combination of words or phrases. This would rapidly penetrate and permeate the minds of listeners. Use of such skills keeps the audience alert and ready to receive more. Trying to relate an earlier observation to another facet of the topic is the real technique that hooks the audience to the speaker. Most people enjoy the relevant continuity and feel that a wholesome picture is emerging. Therefore, it is all the more important that a speaker does not embark upon dealing with a topic in all its totality. This is a very vital point to keep in mind in the sense that, relating the varied facets and the intricacies that go with them is the honest duty of every speaker. The job carries the risk of suddenly slipping in to boredom unless it is neat and compact. Unwieldy territories can not be meaningfully handled unless several sessions are allotted. If a speaker makes a useful contribution, certainly [s]he would be availed of on every conceivable occasion. Besides, the organizers would also deem it fit to have a special seminar or symposium catering to that domain.

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