The Simple Art of Public Speaking: Practicing the Delivery.
In my last publication on public speaking, I proposed that public speaking should be an art. Well, maybe after reading through this lesson today you will agree with my notion. Although, there are different approach from different backgrounds. That could be responsible for the variances in ideology but the end goal is always very much intact.
Most times, the very difficult experienced by a speaker or a student of public speaking class range from; stage freight, articulation of thoughts, delivery etc
But one obvious fact each of this category of persons does not understand is that public speaking can never be smooth nor perfect. When it is perfect then it has become a script that is being acted by the carrier. The ingredients of a great and quality speech stems from spontaneity, genuineness, uniqueness and life experiences. Every other thing apart from these will be deem to be scripted and played.
When the greatest and renowned orator from Athens - Demosthenes was asked what is the single most important element of speaking?
He have this to say, he replied and said; Delivery and even in recent times speaking is proficient when it is found in this principle - "it's not what you say, but how you say it that counts".
Delivery is the audiovisual to the flesh of any speech to be rendered. Whether you are an expertise or an amateur in the game of speaking, once your delivery style isn't top rated or notched. Nobody will give you audience at all even if what you carry is an antidote or remedy to their lives situations.
So, let's get started then, I would like to share tips on how you can master the art of good delivery in public speaking.
Engaging with your Fears
Naturally, it is normal to have fears, and shock when delivering a speech to about thousands of people, those you know and don't. According to the phenomenon, if you get scared at first then you will be able to control your fears as time goes by. But if it is otherwise, then, there are tendencies you can break up in the middle of the speech after encountering with strange eyes. And thereby, ruining your entire flows and speech. This fear of approaching a podium in public speaking seems to be universal.
Before and during the speech, there are tendencies that these followings will happen to you which are thus; self doubt, shortness of breath, trembling, lapses of memory etc
Perhaps, you may ask me, how would you cope with this experience?
Let me walk you through these strategies;
First, perhaps the only sufficient antidote for that is self confidence in the knowledge that you are well prepared. Don't overemphasize the preeminence of preparation.
Aside from that, you have to practice these steps often while speaking.
• Enthusiasm - one thing for sure is this enthusiasm cannot be faked. A speaker who sound and look enthusiastic before the audience will have their attention and such message will never be forgotten.
• Spontaneity - this is the brainchild of the speech. It is the impression that the idea is being formulated at the time it is spoken. While the purpose of spontaneity will be defeated if the words are memorized or written down. Spontaneity is the breadth any speech takes in to survive.
• Eye contact - a speaker must ensure and maintain a face to face communication with his/her audiences in order to gain their attention. Less, if not he/she will lose their attention and their immediate desire to listen. Not only that the eye contact helps attention, it will increase the confidence and confirmation in the speaker and the message respectively.
Nb: These three concepts - Enthusiasm, Eye contact and Spontaneity - when taken together, give a speaker what is called the Conversational Quality.
Endeavour to check my other posts -
The hypothetical question - what is the yardstick of good or bad?
How to master your warfare series
Public Speaking: 5 Formula to get started
Follow me on twitter, click this icon 
Please kindly vote for @rival as a witness via
