The Art of Oratory and Speech Culture

Persuasive techniques Strong introductionYou need to grab attention immediately. You could start with a controversial statement, a question or a story. Hollywood likes to begin their dramas with explosive action, before delivering the rest of the plot. Message What’s the central theme of your speech? It’s easy to ramble off topic until an audience loses interest. Keep your speech tight and concise. Rhetorical techniques This a where a question is asked, but the speaker expects no response from the audience. It helps make the audience active participants and improve their emotional attachment to your message.“You work hard to make this country great. Don’t you deserve a politician who’ll stand up for you…?” Rule of three/tricolon A tricolon is another very commonly used persuasive techniques for speeches. However, they are effective at convincing your audience because they leave a strong, lasting impression on your audience.

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    Voice and Body Language in Public Speaking
    

Voice and Body Languagein Public Speaking Try to vary the intonation and pitch of your voice. It keeps an audience on its toes, guessing what you’re about to say next.Speaking very quietly can also be a powerful vocal technique, magnifying the importance of a topic.At other times it’s important to project your voice to the back of the room.Though improving the oral delivery of your speeches takes time, improving your body language can lead to quick wins.Research shows that changing your body language before an assessment can significantly affect performance.By adopting a power pose before your speech, you can increase your testosterone levels (responsible for confidence) and decrease your cortisol levels (responsible for anxiety).Standing with your hands on your hips ought to do the trick, although I like to use the gorilla pose.Stand tall with your shoulders back to demonstrate confidence.Make eye contact with the audience, and pick specific members out if you can. People will feel you’re speaking directly to them.Use hand gestures to support the points you’re making. It’ll help make your speech visual and emphasise your message.

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