Charm: Poise with Public Speaking
Dear Reader,
To-day's lesson will address the issue of how to appear your best when speaking in public, that is, in front of an audience. The most important thing to remember is that you want to connect with your audience (in order for them to accept or at least consider the points you are trying to make). In order to do this, one must be conscious of the following:
1. Dress appropriately--no one wants to listen to someone who is dressed sloppily or looks unkempt. This removes credibility from your message.
2. Speak clearly and concisely. Use a pleasant speaking voice which proves to be on the lower side of the vocal range. No one wants to listen to someone with a high, squeaky voice. Deliver a positive feel with your message; avoid a whiny tone in your voice as it will only grate on the nerves of your listeners. Additionally, if you have an accent which may be perceived as unpleasant by anyone, i.e., anything north of the Mason-Dixon line (especially New Jersey or any of the non-Manhattan NYC boroughs) or west of the Mississippi, with the exception of Texas and California, invest in some elocution lessons to rid youself of this distraction. Typically, the thicker the accent, the lower the social class and the fewer years of higher education, especially in the northern or mid western states--this is not always the case, but surely is very often.
3. Present your message in a clear, non dramatic way. Avoid the use of extremes in your language, as you will only invoke the rolls of many an eye during your presentation. Stick with the facts and do not try to use false, persuasive language to capture your audience.
4. Try not to overuse gestures while speaking. It is very distracting and only makes one appear to be having spasms. A few here and there are acceptable, but do keep count.
5. Keep your comments short, unless you are delivering a presentation of an academic nature. Make your point(s) and then finish up.
Well dear, I hope that these few tips will assist you when you next make a presentation or must speak briefly to an audience. Again, remember to connect with your audience and you may make a few "connections" of your own!
Until next time...
HF
posted by Hildegarde Fillmore @ 7:41 PM
2 Comments:
I take offense to your "north of the Mason-Dixon line" comment. It has been my experience that Southern accents are not taken seriously at all. Usually educated people try to lose those but quick.
Dear Jane,
Thank you for your comment. It seems to me that you are becoming a regular reader??? Good for you!
Don't take offense at my lessons, dear. Ladies of charm and poise never let another's opinion "ruffle their feathers".
My reference to accents north of the Mason Dixon line was not that those which lie beneath were taken seriously, but rather were not offensive. If I had to sit and listen to someone speak, I would much prefer the breezy lilt of a Southern accent, mind you, an upper class one, than any from New Jersey.
I do agree that many Southerners have the unfortunate prejudice before them of appearing uneducated, simply because of an accent. Now, many Southerners are no more educated than those living in Brooklyn, but their panderings are much more pleasant to the ear, my dear, even those Johnny Reb ones with "redneck" tendencies.
I am by no means a Bill Clinton fan, but I would much rather listen to him speak (foregoing content) than Penny Marshall. What about you?
Until next time...
HF
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