SH1621

Seven (7) Principles of Effective Public Speaking

According to Richard Zeoli, the founder and president of RZC Impact, an executive communications
training firm, the author of The 7 Principles of Public Speaking and is a Visiting Associate at the
Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey, there are seven principles of
public speaking.

1. Perception: Stop trying to be a great public speaker.

People want to listen to someone who is interesting, relaxed, and comfortable. In the routine
conversations we have every day, we have no problem being ourselves. Yet too often, when
we stand up to give a speech, something changes. We focus on the public at the expense of
the speaking. To become an effective public speaker, you must do just the opposite: focus
on the speaking and let go of the public. Think of it as a conversation between you and the
audience. If you can carry on a relaxed conversation with one (1) or two (2) people, you can
give a great speech. Whether your audience consists of two (2) people or 2000 and whether
youre talking about the latest medical breakthrough or what you did today at work, be
yourself; talk directly to people and make a connection with them.

2. Perfection: When you make a mistake, no one cares about you.

Even the most accomplished public speaker will make a mistake at some point. Just keep in
mind that youll notice more than anyone in your audience. The most important thing a
speaker can do after making a mistake is to keep going. Dont stop andunless the mistake
was truly earth shatteringnever apologize to the audience for a minor slip. Unless they are
reading the speech during your delivery, the audience wont know if you left out a word, said
the wrong name, or skipped a page. Because to err is human, a mistake can actually work
for you, because it allows you to connect with your audience. People dont want to hear from
someone who is perfect; they will relate much more easily to someone who is real.

3. Visualization: If you can see it, you can speak it.

Winners in all aspects of life have this in common: they practice visualization to achieve
their goals. Sales people envision themselves closing the deal; executives picture themselves
developing new ventures; athletes close their eyes and imagine themselves making that
basket, hitting that home run, or breaking that record. The same is true in public speaking.
The best way to fight anxiety and to become a more comfortable speaker is to practice in the
one place where no one else can see youyour mind. If you visualize on a consistent basis,
your mind will become used to the prospect of speaking in public, and pretty soon youll
conquer any feelings of anxiety.

4. Discipline: Practice makes perfectly good.

Your goal is not to be a perfect public speaker. There is no such thing. Your goal is to be an
effective public speaker. Like anything else in life, it takes practice. We too often take
communication for granted because we speak to people every day. But when your prosperity
is directly linked to how well you perform in front a group, you need to give the task the

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same attention as if you were a professional athlete. Remember, even world champion
athletes practice every day. Try taking a class where you practice giving speeches.

The following should be considered when delivering a speech:

o Articulation
o Modulation
o Stage Presence
o Facial expression, gestures, and movements
o Rapport with the audience

5. Description: Make it more personal.

Whatever the topic, audiences respond best when speakers personalize their communication.
Take every opportunity to put a face on the facts of your presentation. People like to hear
about other peoples experiencesthe triumphs, tragedies, and everyday humorous anecdotes
that make up their lives. Tell stories. Whenever possible, insert a personal-interest element
in your public speaking. Not only will it make your listeners warm up to you, but it will also
do wonders at putting you at ease. After all, on what subject is your expertise greater than on
the subject of you?

6. Inspiration: Speak to serve.

For a twist that is sure to take much of the fear out of public speaking, take the focus off of
yourself and shift it to your audience. After all, the objective is not to benefit the speaker but
to benefit the audience, through teaching, motivation, or entertainment. So in all of your
preparation and presentation, you should think about your purpose. How can you help your
audience members achieve their goals?

7. Anticipation: Always leave em wanting more.

Always make your presentation just a bit shorter than anticipated. If youve followed the first
six (6) principles outlined here you already have their attention and interest, and its better to
leave your listeners wishing you had spoken for just a few more minutes than squirming in
their seats waiting for your speech finally to end.

Retrieved from http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/Seven-Principles-of-Effective-Public-

Speaking.aspx last July 20, 2015.

Types of Speech According to Purpose

There are four (4) basic types of speeches according to purpose: to inform, to instruct, to persuade,
and to entertain. You may have several purposes in mind when giving your presentation. For
example, you may try to inform in an entertaining style. Another speaker might inform the audience
and try to persuade them to act on the information. However, the overriding purpose of a speech will
generally fall into one of these types:

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1. Informative - This speech serves to provide interesting and useful information to your
audience like your teacher talking about earthquakes or a fellow student presenting his
research.

2. Demonstrative - This has many similarities with an informative speech but it also teaches you
something. A cooking demonstration is a good example of this kind of speech that instructs
the audience on how to do something step by step.

3. Persuasive - A persuasive speech works to convince people to change the way they think or
do something, or to start doing something that they are not currently doing. Talks on
becoming an organ donor or improving your health through better eating are examples.

4. Entertaining - The speech during a program intermission or after dinner is a typical example
of an entertaining speech. The speaker provides pleasure and enjoyment that make the
audience laugh or identify with anecdotal information.

Source: Fernandez, Ana Marie O., Suarez, Elineth Elizabeth L. (2016). Speac: Speak and listen in
context. Quezon City, Philippines. The Publishing House.

Types of Speech According to Delivery

1. Manuscript speaking involves reading your speech word-for-word from its written form.
The advantage to delivering a speech this way is that you can perfectly plan and control
the wording of your speech.
This sounds like ideal, but really it is not.
For one thing, in most speeches, you should be striving for an informal, conversational
delivery style.
Reading prevents that, as well as eye contact.
Also, with set wording, you cant adapt the speech if the audience isnt following or
interested in your speech.

2. Memorized involves committing your entire speech to memory.

Once again, this sounds great. But, practically speaking, who has time to memorize even
a short speech?
And like a manuscript speech, you cant adapt to the feedback from the audience.

3. Impromptu speech is one that you are asked to deliver with little or no preparation.
Chances are, that if youre on this site, impromptu speeches arent what you are expected
to deliver.

4. Extemporaneous speech is a speech delivered with some prepared structure, such as notes or
an outline, but is otherwise delivered off-the-cut.

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The notes allow you to structure your speech without handcuffing you in the event that
your audience needs you to adapt.
Also, you will sound more natural and conversational, and this will help hold audience
attention.

Source: Guia, Clarissa D.C. (2011). Speech and oral communication. Intramuros, Manila.
Mindshapers Co., Inc.

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