SERIES 4: HOW TO SAY IT

Objectives:

1. Select right word and sentence structure to communicate ideas clearly & vividly.

2. Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas.

3. Eliminate jargon & unnecessary words. Use proper grammar.

Time: 5-7 minutes.

A clear purpose and effective organization are the foundations of any speech. Words communicate your message and affect how the audience perceives it. Clear, simple and vivid words add excitement to the presentation & stimulate the audience, while grammar and proper pronunciation give you credibility.

Write for the ear:

When you don’t understand a section of a book or magazine article, you can read it again and again until the meaning is clear. When you speak your listeners don’t have this luxury. What you say must be clear to the audience.

Repetition and simple, clear language help listeners remember points. If you want listeners to understand and accept you, be sure to speak the way they speak.

Construct the speech in an oral style, using the following:

Short words: In speaking, the most effective and memorable words are short comprising of a syllable. In fact short words are easier to follow and remember.

Short sentences: These are easier to say, understand and have more power and impact on audiences. Make sure you have included short sentences often in your speech.

Short paragraphs: A paragraph develops one idea or thought. When you limit your paragraphs to a few sentences, the audiences are more readily follow your logic. Pausing between paragraphs also give listeners time to “digest” what you’ve said.

Be specific:

Some words are general and have a number of meanings. You have to use concrete, specific words that communicate exactly what you mean. For example, the word criminal can mean a pickpocket, bank robber or murderer. Words like liberal and conservative may have a different meaning for every person in audience. As you prepare the speech, select words that leave no opportunity for misunderstanding.

Vivid words:

The words in your speech should appeal to the senses, helping the audience to see, hear, feel, taste and smell. Instead of saying, “this proposal will result in more money for our school” say, “this proposal will boost the school’s income by $15,000, enough to buy new textbooks and classroom supplies for the next year”.

Select verbs in your presentation carefully. Use verbs that have energy. Shake, roll and wiggle have more energy than move. Bellow, shout, whisper, screams or whine could replace speak.

Also remember to use active voice. It is advisable to minimize the usage of weak verbs like is, are, were and was.

Incorporate rhetorical devices:

They are the special ways of arranging words to make an idea or thought sound more pleasing and easier for listeners to remember. Some effective devices are:

Simile: it is a comparison that uses the words like or as.

Metaphor: it merely implies the comparison.

Alliteration: here the initial sounds in words or in stressed syllables within the words are repeated in a pleasing or memorable manner: “unnoticed and unused,” “hallowed halls,” “protect and preserve peace.”

Triads: ideas, adjectives and points are grouped in threes. Expressed in threes, thoughts have a pleasant rhythm, are dramatic, and become more memorable.

Use words economically:

Many words are unnecessary and are used as “fillers”. These fillers detract and dilute the message. Therefore a good speaker should strive to say in as few words as possible. For example, phrases such as you know; needless to say; it has been shown that can be eliminated. Some phrases, a large number of can be reduced to many, at the present time to now, in the event of to if, take into consideration reduced to consider etc.

Also take into consideration the usage of redundant words like sum total, joint collaboration, future plans, unexpected surprise and new record. These extra words do not carry any value.

Watch for jargon:(J)

In Toastmaster’s manuals, there is some useful information about the use of jargon words. Some buzz words are considered jargon even though they are not related to particular profession.

Examples:

Conceptualize (J) instead use imagine

Downsizing (J) instead use laying off

Infra structure instead use frame work.

Viable instead use possible

Operational instead use working

Parameters instead use limits

Now we are a step behind before finishing our final speech script i.e.

Say it correctly:

Pronunciation and grammar are major factors in your ability to influence the audience. They see these two factors in a well educated and credible person’s speech.

Common grammar problems:

Subject-verb agreement

Misplaced modifiers and

Misused pronouns

For people with pronunciation problems should practice writing the words phonetically and saying it aloud. If still the problem persists, then they should substitute with alternate word conveying same meaning.

DEAR FRIENDS, MAKE USE OF THIS SERIES IN PREPARING THAT “HOW TO SAY” SPEECH.

ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR PREPARATION

Journey to a competent communicator level

Series 1: Ice Breaker

Dear budding aspirants, I am writing this blog with an intention to elevate your confidence, understanding various aspects in preparing speeches & delivering, give a centralized idea on “how to” for a good speech.

I will be presenting the information as 10 series. Each series can be considered as a level. This will prepare you as a beginner & end as a competent communicator.

To shape the speaker, I have taken inputs and pointers from my Toastmasters manual. As a member of this dream TM club, I had completed only 2 project speeches and got an idea of writing this blog so that all the talented starters like me could avail a chance to prepare themselves.

Hope you will make use of it!!!

Objectives of ice breaker:

1. To begin speaking before an audience.

2. To discover the speaking skills you already have & skills that need some attention.

Remember you should speak for only 4-6 minutes.

The best way to begin your speaking experience is to talk about a familiar topic that would make you comfortable before audience as well on a stage. So your topic should be “about yourself.” Maintaining the talk for 4-6 min. is definitely short. Therefore you should narrow the talk by selecting interesting aspects of life that will introduce you to the club members. These might include birthplace, education, family, incidents or hobby etc. once you have the highlights of your talk; weave them into a story as if you were telling it to friends. Sharing personal experiences would establish a relationship between you and audience.

Opening, body & conclusion:

Like a good story, your talk needs a clear beginning and ending. Create an interesting caption/ adage/ idea at the opening of the speech. This captures the audience attention. A memorized beginning & ending enable you to start & finish with confidence.

In any speech, it’s best to select a few main points & emphasize them by using examples, stories or anecdotes. You should make a point, say it again in different words, illustrate the point, and then state it once more in order to be clearly understood.

This is a good skill to learn. Choose your points and illustration carefully. Too much information will crush the audience. If you feel like carrying notes, write a brief outline and place on the lectern. Remember you’re are speaking but not reading!!

Many speakers begin by writing out an entire speech, then breaking it into parts. With a key word for each part, and finally writing just the key words on one note card.

Preparing yourself:

From the above points your talk is ready. But are you ready to present it? Memorize the starting and conclusion, practice more. It would be of tremendous aide if you practice in front of a mirror, to a family member or a friend, ask for their feedback & work on that.

Another best source for practicing is with a tape recorder. Record your speech & listen frequently initially and then after some time intervals. This will give an idea of how your diction, modulation and pitch level appears in front of audience.

Tip: instead of thinking of this as a ‘speech’, think of it as a ‘talk’ before friends.

Be well-groomed & properly dressed. This will wipe out the fear of the self appearance & makes you confident.

Presenting your talk:

After quick practice relax and feel that you have given a good speech. This boosts your senses. After all, nervousness is a common trait for all speakers irrespective of their experience. Make your nervousness work in your speech by adding excitement in delivering.

While being introduced, take a deep breath and exhale slowly. This will clear your throat & balance your circulation. Now face the audience, greet them give a short pause & begin with your memorized opening.

Remember to maintain eye contact with the audience from all corners. Observe time limits while speaking. Do not bother much about your body language in the first speech. Leave your hands at your sides if it makes sense for your speech. You will develop this as soon as you accustom to the stage and the whole set up. Deliver your memorized conclusion.

Your evaluation:

After finishing you may think to have forgotten many points. That’s ok for now. Take a deep breath and congratulate self for delivering your first speech.

With your first delivery still in mind, write down the points where you did well & aspects to be improved or worked on. This makes your next speech much better.

Also interact with few persons before the start of the speech & request them to maintain a sheet that would serve as a feedback on your speech & areas of improvement.

Note: Drop your valuable comments on this blog as to upgrade my knowledge & shape my further blogs.