Public Speaking for Success

Introduction

Public Speaking for Success is a more recent revised edition of Dale Carnegie's 1926 book, Public Speaking: A Practical Course for Business Men.

Revised by Arthur Pell in 2005, it offers a comprehensive guide to the principles of public speaking and provides guidance on conquering the fears associated with public speaking.

Overcoming Fear and Finding Your Voice

Many intelligent people, at ease expressing themselves one-on-one, become tongue-tied and terrified when facing even a small audience.

Consequently, countless brilliant ideas remain unheard due to a fear of public speaking. These valuable contributions are lost in the silence of meetings.

However, public speaking is a skill anyone with sufficient desire can develop and master through training and practice.

Gaining self-confidence and courage, along with the ability to think calmly and clearly while talking to a group, is not nearly as difficult as most people imagine.
Do not think your case is unusually difficult. Many famous speakers were initially afflicted by blinding fear and self-consciousness.

Here are four essential things to become effective speakers:

Start with a strong and persistent desire

Arouse your enthusiasm and consider its benefits in personal influence and leadership.

Know thoroughly what you will talk about

Do not speak until you are sure you have something to say, and know exactly what it is. Then, say it and sit down.

Act confident

Step out briskly, stand still and take a deep breath.
Stand tall, look your audience directly in the eye and begin speaking confidently as if everyone owes you money.
Do not nervously button and unbutton your coat, fiddle with your jewellery, or fumble with your hands.
We pay little attention to the messenger; It is the message that we want.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

The first , last and never-failing way to develop self-confidence in speaking is to speak.
Fear results from a lack of confidence in your abilities, caused by a lack of experience.
When you gain successful experiences, your fears will vanish.
In fact, those who make the most rapid progress are those who practice most.

Crafting a Captivating Speech: A Guide to Preparation

An impromptu speech can be a nerve-wracking experience.

The speaker dives in headfirst, with no script or safety net. The beginning is fraught with uncertainty - no clear roadmap for the journey ahead.
The middle is a desperate scramble for words, a frantic search for any coherent thought to fill the silence.
And the end can feel like waking from a daze, unsure of what was just said, only left with the echo of nervous stumbles and a lingering sense of embarrassment.
Fortunately, there is a way to sidestep this public speaking nightmare.

The success or failure of presenting a talk hinges heavily on having a clear and impressive message to communicate to your audience. What key takeaway do you want them to remember?

Therefore, thorough preparation is crucial for a successful speech. Without it, you are entering a war zone unarmed, ill-equipped to subdue the fear and nervousness of public speaking.

Reading an article or book can be a great springboard for crafting your own speech.

However, resist the temptation to simply regurgitate the entire content.
Otherwise, your speech will come across as a recitation of "the author said this and that" with no genuine enthusiasm.
On the other hand, constantly assimilate ideas in the background about the subject and do not shy away from respectfully disagreeing with the source.
Explain your reasoning and provide your unique perspective to spark an engaging discussion.

Furthermore, speech preparation is more than stringing together a few polished phrases or jotting down casual thoughts.

It is about assembling your thoughts, ideas, convictions, and a compelling desire to share them.
Think of a speech about a life experience that left you deeply unsatisfied; your personal reflection will resonate with your audience.
Here is a cool trick: Keep thinking about your speech in the back of your mind without finalizing it, even while you are busy with other things (e.g. eating, bathing, waiting, walking, dreaming). This can lead to a perpetual flow of new ideas, resulting in a richer and more developed final product. Jot down any ideas that come to mind in case they slip away!
Aim to gather a surplus of information (including from the internet and reading), meticulously curating only the most relevant and impactful details for your presentation. Think of it as assembling a hundred thoughts, and discarding ninety.
This wealth of knowledge, even the details left unspoken, will add depth and nuance to your message.

While preparing a speech, avoid the almost universal mistake of trying to cover too much ground in a brief talk.

Focus on just one or two key points of a subject and ensure you cover them adequately.
When tasked with speaking about your business or profession, avoid delving into the technical aspects. Instead, focus on what will interest your audience, rather than your personal interest or area of expertise. Consider their wants and needs to capture their attention.

In summary, to truly connect with your audience, a speech needs deep emotional resonance and a well-developed message.

This comes from ceaseless thought and genuine feeling.

Preparing An Address From Brainstorm to Delivery

While there are many techniques to enhance a speech, such as injecting individuality, using vivid descriptions and figures, or sharing intriguing facts, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to structuring and building a talk.

Below are some key steps to guide you.

Gather and refine your ideas

Collect all relevant information on your topic, then meticulously appraise and reorganize it to ensure a clear and cohesive flow.
Jumping from point to point weakens your message.
Aim for a clear and thorough progression of ideas, not a disorganized scramble.

Structure and polish

The act of writing your speech forces clear thinking, memory retention and minimizes mental distractions. This also helps refine your diction.
Perfecting your speech involves endless editing to improve clarity and structure.

Practice makes perfect

Once your ideas are solidified, rehearse your talk from beginning to end, both silently while walking and aloud in a private space, using gestures and full body language.
Imagine addressing your audience.
The more you rehearse, the more comfortable you will feel during the actual delivery.

Engage, do not recite

Avoid reading or memorizing you speech word-for-word rigidly.
A stiff, scripted delivery lacks warmth and connection.
The audience can struggle to engage with a monotonous recitation.

Notes as a safety net

Frequent reliance on notes can disrupt the precious rapport between speaker and audience.
Use them during solo practice, but keep them hidden during your speech. Consider them an emergency tool.
However, for some initial talks, where nervousness might lead to memory lapses, using condensed notes can be a temporary aid. It is like a child clinging to furniture while learning to walk - a necessary support that will be phased out as confidence grows.

Recording yourself

If possible, record yourself delivering the speech and listen back.
Even better, videotape yourself to assess not just your words, but also your body language and demeanour.

Seek speaking opportunities

Join groups like Toastmasters' Club that provide supportive environments to practice speaking in public and receive constructive criticism.

The Secrets of a Super Memory: Impression, Repetition and Association

The average person does not use above 10% of their actual memory capacity.

90% is wasted by violating the "natural laws of remembering".
There are three key principles for improving memory: impression, repetition and association.

Impression emphasizes focusing intently and closely on the information you want to remember, engaging multiple senses to create a vivid image. Visual impressions are particularly important.

To create a deep, vivid and lasting impression, concentrate fully on the information you wish to retain, even under adverse conditions. For example, we often blame a bad memory when we cannot recall new friend's name. But the real culprit is not paying sufficient attention to them when we first meet.
The average person's brain does not process a significant portion of what the eye observes. For instance, we might be completely unaware of a cherry tree on a path we just walked. Our actions often respond to subconscious observation, where we do not observe closely to get an accurate impression of the environment. Just like a camera would not take blurry pictures, your mind would not retain unclear impressions.
When reading aloud, you engage two senses: sight (seeing the words) and hearing (hearing yourself read). This creates both a visual and auditory impression). Ideally, use as many senses as possible (e.g. touching, smelling and tasting) to form a strong impression.
Visual impressions are especially powerful. The nerves connecting the eye to the brain are much larger than those connecting the ear to the brain. This explains why we can often remember a face, but not a person's name. Use your imagination to create vivid visualizations to aid memorization.

Repetition stresses spaced repetition over cramming. Reviewing information at intervals is more effective than rote memorization.

We can memorise almost anything within reason if we repeat it often enough.
However, do not simply repeat something over and over until you think you have memorized it. Go over it once or twice, then take a break; come back later and review it again. Repeating information at spaced intervals allows you to memorize things in about half the time required compared to cramming in one sitting.

During the intervals between repetitions, your subconscious mind is busy solidifying the associations being formed.
Additionally, revisiting the information in fresh bursts prevents mental fatigue.

After memorizing something new, we forget more information in the first eight hours than during the next thirty days; Therefore, it is helpful to review your material (like a speech) right before presenting it to refresh your memory.

Association highlights connecting new information to existing knowledge. Asking questions, making comparisons and creating mental associations strengthen memory.

For information to be retained, it needs to be introduced in relation to something you already know.
Ask yourself questions like: "Why is this so? How is this so? When is this so? Where is this so? Who said this is so?"
In a speech, you can use the last few words of your previous sentence as the cue to start the next one.

Speak with Fire: Communicate Clearly, Connect Deeply

Enthusiasm is one of the biggest factors in effective delivery, which even help masks grammatical errors and public speaking shortcomings (e.g. weak voices, stammering, stuttering or swallowed words).

Persuasive speech is a heart-to-heart connection, not just a transfer of information. It is difficult for a speaker to deceive the audience as to their own feelings.
The speaker who tries to be very serious or very witty may easily fail, but the speaker who appeals to his audience with real conviction never fails.

Regardless of subject matter, personal concern or a national issue, the speaker deeply convinced of their message will excite the audience.

In other words, a good speech comes from a speaker with something genuine to say, beyond competition or mere desire to speak.
We want speakers to not only give us facts, but also reveal their attitude towards those facts.

To feel and exude earnestness and enthusiasm, your actions should reflect your words.

Stand tall and still, with genuine earnestness and enthusiasm. Avoid nervous movements that betray your discomfort, such as leaning on the table or shifting weight constantly.
Look directly at your audience with confidence and courage.
Speak confidently and energetically. Put energy behind your words and speak positively. However, avoid excessive positivity. Only an ignoramus is positive about everything. Conversely, do not weaken your message with "weasel words" like "it seems to me", "perhaps" or "in my humble opinion".
Tailor the words you use to the level of understanding of your audience.
Learn to use the microphone effectively. Do not stand too far away or too close. Adjust the microphone to be at mouth level before you begin speaking.
Use emphatic gestures to enhance your communication.
Love your audience.

The Persistence Path: Mastering Public Speaking Through Relentless Effort

When we start to learn anything new, like French, golf or public speaking, we do not improve gradually. Instead, we advance by sudden jerks and starts. Then, we may remain stagnant for a time, or even regress and lose some of the progress we have made.

Psychologists call these periods of stagnation or retrogression as "plateaus in the learning curve".

People who do not realize this curious fact about learning progress often become discouraged on these plateaus.

They might think all their hard work for a long time is making no progress, and they end up abandoning all effort before achieving their goals.
This is an extremely regrettable mistake, because persistence and determination are essential for all great achievements, including mastering public speaking.

Success often comes not from extraordinary ability, but from consistent practice fuelled by a strong desire. People who preserve achieve success.

A firm belief in your ability to succeed and a positive mindset will keep you motivated to take the actions necessary to bring success about.
If you get discouraged, try Theodore Roosevelt's plan: Look at Lincoln's picture and ask yourself what he would have done under similar circumstances.

Conversation, Not Lecture: Mastering Pitch, Pace and Emphasis for Impact

More than just the words in a talk matter. It is the flavour with which they are delivered. As the saying goes, “it is not so much what you say as how you say it.”

In speaking competitions, the speaker with the most captivating delivery often triumphs, even if their material is not the strongest. Put another way, the delivery can elevate even average content.
This highlights a crucial point: of the three elements in a speech (the speaker, the delivery and the content), content arguably has the least impact.

Speakers are delivering a message, yet too often it does not reach the intended audience.

They stand before the audience, ignoring them, not even making eye contact, staring sometimes over their heads, sometimes at their notes, sometimes at the floor.
They are not delivering a talk, but performing a soliloquy with no sense of communication.
The audience wants speakers to talk directly them, just as they would in a casual conversation.
In summary, good delivery is conversational in tone ("talk like a human being"), but with considerably more force.

Stop thinking that you are trying to give a speech; instead, earnestly share with others what you see and feel.

Good speakers are so natural that their listeners never notice their manner of speaking; they are only conscious of the message.
As a speaker, you can develop individuality in your delivery because no other human being is exactly like you. There is no need to imitate others.

Here are some features of natural speaking, but you should never force yourself to do them mechanically. On the other hand, all the principles should be used unconsciously through practicing public speaking as naturally as you digest your dinner.

In conversation, we emphasize certain syllables in a word and hurry over others—for example, MassaCHUsetts, afFLICtion, atTRACTIVENESS, enVIRonment. We do almost the same thing with sentences. We emphasize one or two important words and subordinate the rest.

For example, "I have SUCCEEDED in whatever I have undertaken, because I have WILLED it. I have NEVER HESITATED which has given me an ADVANTAGE over the rest of mankind."
However, this is not the only way to read these lines. Another speaker would do it differently. There are no ironclad rules for emphasis.

The pitch of our voices in conversation flows up and down the scale from high to low and back again, never resting, but always shifting like the face of the sea.

When you find yourself talking in a monotonous pitch, just pause for a second and say to yourself: “I am speaking like a statue. Talk to these people. Be human. Be natural.”

When we talk in in ordinary conversation, we constantly change our rate of speaking, speeding up over unimportant words and spending more time on the ones we want to stand out.
Pause before and after your important ideas.

The sudden silence attracts attention, making everyone alert and awake to what is coming next.
Pausing after the phrase that you want to emphasized allows the meaning to sink into the minds of listeners.

However, if you already talk in public just as you do in conversation, you may still speak with an unpleasant voice, make grammatical errors, and be awkward or offensive.

Then, your natural method of everyday talking may need some improvement.
Perfect your conversational style, and then carry that refined method to the platform.

Command the Stage: Mastering the Non-Verbal Communication for Speakers

With the exception of preparation, personality is arguably the most important factor in public speaking.

It encompasses the totality of the person: physical, spiritual and mental.
However, personality can be as complex as Eistein's theory of relativity and just as little understood.

The following suggestions will help you project your best self on stage.

Avoid speaking when you are tired. Rest, recuperate, store up a reserve of energy to deliver a vibrant performance. Do not make the mistake of procrastinating on preparation, and then working at a furious pace to make up for lost time.
Eat a light meal or nothing at all before speaking. A full stomach can hinder your focus.
Positive energy. Project vitality, aliveness and enthusiasm. These qualities act as magnet, drawing the audience's attention.
Dress neatly and attractively. Feeling well-dressed boosts self-confidence and commands respect from the audience. Remember, even before we speak, we are condemned or approved.
Greet your audience with a warm and welcoming smile. Show that you are glad to be there and you have genuine interest in them - “like begets like", so their interest will likely reciprocate.
Crowd your audience together. A tighter audience is more receptive than one scattered through a large room. Consider grouping them together for a more intimate and impactful experience.
For smaller audiences, avoid using a platform. Stand at the same level as the audience, break down formality, and create a conversational atmosphere. Some speakers move around the room during their presentations, pausing at different points to directly engage specific sections of the audience.
Keep the air fresh. If speaking after other presenters, consider requesting a two-minute break for the audience to stretch and allow fresh air circulation.
Flood the place with light. Find a spot with good lighting to help your audience see you clearly so your expressions can be easily understood.
Avoid standing behind furniture (e.g. lectern) and keep the platform free of visual clutter, such as signs or decorations. People want a clear view of the entire speaker.
Minimize distractions by having guests (or even latecomers) on the platform. Their slightest movements can easily seize the audience's attention, creating competition for yours. Similarly, refrain from twiddling your thumbs, playing with your clothes or jewellery, and making other nervous movements that can steal your audience's attention away from your message.
Stand still with controlled body language conveys composure and mental control. Nervous movements give an impression of weakness. Every movement that does not add to your presence detracts from it.
After rising to address the audience, do not rush into your speech, take a deep breath, look over your audience for a moment, pause briefly to allow any noise or disturbance to subside.
Hold your chest high. Stand with good posture habitually, not just while speaking.
Ideally, let your hands rest at your sides and transition naturally into gestures as you speak. If very nervous, hold your hands in your pockets occasionally. However, focus on conveying your message with passion; these details will come naturally.
Self-evaluation. Videotape your rehearsals and review them to assess your gestures and identify areas for improvement. You can also involve a friend or experienced speaker to provide feedback.

Hook 'Em From the Start: Powerful Strategies for Opening Your Talk

The moment you step in front of the audience, you naturally have their attention, but only for a brief window.

Holding that attention for the next five minutes is the real challenge.
Once lost, regaining it becomes doubly difficult.
Therefore, your very first sentence should be captivating.

An introduction, ideally short (one or two sentences), needs to grab the audience's attention quickly and leave a lasting impression on their fresh minds.

Practically every successful speaker meticulously plans the opening and closing of their speeches, crafting the exact words in advance.
However, do beginners do the same? Seldom.
Planning takes time, requires thought, and demands willpower.

Novices often make the mistake of starting with a forced humorous story or an apology. Both are generally bad choices.

Very few people can tell a humorous anecdote successfully. The attempt often embarrasses the audience rather than entertains them. Stories should be relevant to your topic, not simply inserted for entertainment value. Humour should be the icing on the cake, not the cake itself.
Never apologize by saying things like "I'm not prepared" or "I have nothing to say." If you have not prepared, the audience will likely figure it out without your admission. Apologies can come across as an insult, implying you did not consider the audience worth your time.
Remember, the audience is there to be informed and interested.

A speaker can win the immediate attention of their audience by:

Arousing curiosity
Sharing a human-interest story
Beginning with a specific illustration
Using a visual aid (e.g. a coupon)
Asking a thought-provoking question
Opening with a powerful quote
Demonstrating how the topic affects the audience's lives and interests
Presenting surprising or shocking facts

Here is a final tip: Do not make your opening sound overly formal.

Make it appear free, casual, inevitable.

The Power of "Yes": Start Your Speech on Common Ground

If you want to win people over to your cause, first convince them that you are their sincere friend.

Once they trust your intentions, persuading them of the cause's justice becomes much easier.

Start your speech by establishing common ground. Get everyone agreeing with you at the outset.

The more 'yesses' we can induce at the very outset, the more likely we are to succeed in capturing attention for the ultimate proposal.
In essence, we have set the psychological processes of our listeners moving in a positive direction.

Avoid Antagonism

Do not phrase your case in a way that prompts initial rejection.

When someone starts by saying "no," pride often compels them to stick to that position.

Similarly, avoid starting by declaring that you will prove something specific.

This can arouse opposition and prevent them from listening more.

Engage through inquiry

Instead of arguing, begin by stressing something that you and all of your listeners believe. Then, raise a pertinent question that everyone would like to have answered.
While searching for the answer, present the facts and let your audience form their own opinions.

The importance of empathy

However, most people begin by unloading their own opinions, neglecting to consider the other person's views and desires.
This approach alienates the audience and makes them less receptive to your message.

Do Not Fumble at the Finish: Leave A Lasting Impression with Your Speech

The closing of a speech is arguably its most strategic element.

What you say last is likely to be remembered the longest.
However, beginners often underestimate the importance of strong ending, leaving their audiences with a lacklustre finish.

Avoid these pitfalls:

Vague endings

Do not end with: “That is about all I have to say on the matter; so I guess I shall stop.”
If that is truly the case, finish your speech and take a seat without announcing it.

Rambling

Do not repeat yourself or lose focus in an attempt to find a stopping point.

Abrupt endings

A speech with no clear conclusion feels unfinished and leaves the audience hanging.

Hence, just like an introduction, a strong ending needs to be carefully planned, rehearsed, and known almost word for word.

Nonetheless, an extemporaneous speech might need adjustments to fit the audience's reaction. Having backup endings allows you to adapt.

Here are some suggested effective closing techniques:

Summarize, restate, outline briefly the main points you have covered.

Do not assume the audience remembers everything. You have been pondering over these ideas for some time. But the points are all new to audience.

Appeal for action
Pay the audience a sincere compliment
Quote a fitting verse of poetry
Build up a climax

Aim to stop before the audience loses interest.

Remember, the point of satiation is reached very soon after the peak of popularity.
It is better to leave them wanting more.

Most speakers prefer an uninterrupted flow during their talks. Therefore, it is often requested that questions be deferred until the end of the formal presentation. However, be prepared to answer questions from the audience.

If you have in-depth knowledge of your subject, you can likely anticipate the questions that might be asked.

They usually pertain to matters touched upon in your talk that may not have been fully covered.

Allow written questions in cards, screen them quickly, and prioritize the most relevant ones.
Always read the question aloud before answering, so everyone can hear it clearly.

This is equally important for questions asked from the floor. Many people in the audience may not have heard the question or the questioner may have not spoken clearly or loudly enough.

Keep your answers concise, as time may be limited.

Answer as many questions as time permits.
If an answer requires more time, explain and offer resources for further information.

When handling hecklers, remain calm, avoid sarcasm.

Smile and stay silent for few minutes.
Then, turn to the audience and ask, "Who has the next question?"

Captive Your Audience: Choosing Your Talk's Core Objective

Every talk, whether the speaker realizes it or not, aims to achieve one of four major goals:

To make something clear.
To impress and convince.
To motivate action.
To entertain.

By understanding your talk's primary goal, you can tailor your preparation to ensure maximum impact (i.e. capturing and holding the audience's attention).

Speaking Clearly: From Jargon to Understanding

Good communication starts with knowing your audience.

Choose words your listeners will easily understand.
Using jargon or specialized terminology with an unfamiliar audience can lose their attention.
Therefore, explain technical matters in layman's terms whenever possible.
If using a technical, legal, or unfamiliar term is necessary, explain it clearly the first time you use it and consider repeating the explanation if it needs reinforcement.

If you want to give a clear conception, avoid just quoting measurements. Describe them in terms of the known.

For example, instead of saying "St. Peter’s Church is 232 yards long and 364 feet wide", you could say "St. Peter’s, the biggest church in the world, is about the size of two buildings stacked on top of each other, each as large as the US Capitol building.

I believe that speech alone is not always enough to be understood or hold attention. A dramatic supplement is beneficial. Whenever possible, supplement your speech with visuals that demonstrate the right and wrong way. Diagrams can be more convincing than words alone, and pictures can be even more impactful than diagrams.

Of course, not every subject or occasion lends itself to exhibits and drawings, but use them when you can.
Visuals attract attention, stimulate interest, and often make your meaning much clearer.

An idea that is clear to the speaker is not always instantly grasped by others. It needs to be repeated, but not with the exact same words. Use fresh phrasing to ensure your audience does not see it as mere repetition.

For example, "You cannot make people understand a subject unless you understand it yourself. The clearer your understanding of a subject, the clearer you can present it to others."

In a short speech, one cannot hope to treat adequately more than one or two phases of a big topic.

Therefore, avoid trying to cover too many points.
However, if multiple aspects of your topic must be covered, it is often advisable to summarize them briefly at the end.

Science of Persuasion: Planting Ideas and Preventing Doubt

Every idea, concept, or conclusion that enters the mind is held as true unless hindered by a contradictory idea.

In other words, if we can introduce an idea, it is not necessary to convince someone of its absolute truth as long as we can prevent conflicting ideas from arising in their mind.
For example, if you read the sentence "United States tires are good tires", you might initially believe it without further proof, assuming no contradictory ideas come to mind.

In fact, most of our actions are the result of suggestion.

Believing is easier than doubting; Experience, knowledge, and critical thinking are necessary before we can doubt and question intelligently.

Here are some suggestions to plant the ideas without generating doubt.

Speak with contagious enthusiasm

Feelings are more powerful than cold facts.
Therefore, convince yourself before attempting to convince others.

Show how the idea aligns with existing beliefs

Connect the idea to something the audience already believes in.
Start on common ground, get agreement initially, and build from there.

Keep your message concise

Aim for a two-minute presentation that leaves the audience wanting more.

Frame numbers for impact

Large sums can be made to appear smaller by distributing them over time and comparing them to something trivial.
Conversely, small sums can be magnified by focusing on the total amount.

Illustrate with data and anecdotes

Numbers alone are rarely impressive. Use visuals and real-life examples to bring your point to life.
To illustrate, imagine the vastness of the Vatican. With a staggering 15,000 rooms, that is enough to spend over 40 years living in a different one every single day, and still not experience them all!

Employ repetition for emphasis

By hearing the same message repeatedly, people may unconsciously associate it with truth.

Use specific examples

Cite concrete cases to illustrate your points.
Rich men often lead simple lives. Take Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate known for amassing immense wealth. Despite his fortune, his favourite dish was a humble bowl of oatmeal and cream.

Leverage the power of accumulation

Repeatedly expose the audience to the idea. Build a case by piling experiences on top of each other until the idea becomes ingrained.

Utilize vivid graphic comparisons

Highlight the difference in impact between fleeting auditory messages and lasting visual impressions.

Support your claims with credible authority

Quote well-known experts or qualified individuals in the field.
Avoid vague references like "statistics show" or "many authorities declare."

Engaging Others with the Magic of Stories

We are interested in extraordinary facts about ordinary things.

We want to be told something new about the familiar.
Completely new things do not connect well with our existing interests.

Our chief interest is ourselves.

Most of us are more concerned about our own cook leaving than about Italy's debt to the United States.
Our own toothache will distress us more readily than an earthquake in Asia destroying half a million lives.
The person who leads others to talk about themselves and their interests, and listens intently, will generally be considered a good conversationalist, even though they do very little talking themselves.

Glorified gossip, stories of people, will almost always win and hold attention.

The speaker should make only a few points and illustrate them with human-interest stories.
People tend to get restless with abstract ideas.

Be concrete and definite.

Do not just state facts; sprinkle your talks with phrases that create pictures, with words that set images floating before your eyes.
Use balanced sentences and contrasting ideas whenever possible.

Interest is contagious.

The audience is sure to catch it if the speaker has a genuine passion for the topic.
However, attention cannot be won by simply following rules mechanically.

Craft a Compelling Message that Motivates Action

After capturing the audience's attention, the next step is to gain the confidence of your listeners.

The primary way to win confidence is by deserving it - by your sincerity, by being properly introduced, by being qualified to speak on your subject, by telling the things that your experience has taught you.
In contrast, a striking appearance and a smooth delivery can create a quick impression of intelligence, but it is a fleeting, superficial one.

The third step is to state your facts, educate your audience regarding the merits of your proposal, and answer their objections.

If you are addressing a business group about a proposal that affects them, you should not only educate them, but also allow them to educate you.
You should ascertain what is on their minds, otherwise you might be addressing something entirely irrelevant.
Let them express their opinions; answer their objections; then they will be in a more receptive state to listen to you.

The fourth step is to appeal to the motives that make people act.

The desire for gain, self-protection, pride, pleasure, sentiment, affection, and religious ideals such as justice, mercy, forgiveness, and love will determine our actions.
To illustrate, a father yelling at his son for smoking, focusing on health risks the son does not care about, will fail. But if the dad connects smoking to the son's dream of excelling in athletics (instead of venting his own feelings and focusing on his own motives), the son might quit to achieve his stronger desire.

Building a Strong Vocabulary and Effective Communication

We only have four ways of making an impression on the world: by what we do, by how we look, by what we say, and how we say it (actions, appearance, words, and how we deliver those words).

For example, we are often judged by the language we use.
Refined language in a speech reveals education and culture to discerning listeners.
It is a pleasure to listen to someone with flawless diction, a well-modulated voice, and clearly delivered main points.
On the other hand, repetitive phrases, violations of accepted pronunciation and grammar traditions, make us doubt their abilities.

Therefore, after leaving school, people should not give up reading enduring books to enrich their vocabulary and knowledge. Instead, they can utilize their downtime, such as during waits or to reduce mindless television viewing, for this valuable activity.

Read with a dictionary at your side. Look up unfamiliar words. Try to use them in a sentence to solidify them in your memory.
A word becomes permanently acquired in your vocabulary when you use it three times.

Strive not just for accuracy, but for freshness and originality.

Steer clear of clichés - those tired, overused phrases that lack impact.

Articulate clearly when delivering a speech.

Avoid mumbling, speaking too fast or slow, mispronouncing words, using "word whiskers," or speaking in a monotone.

Summary

While "Public Speaking for Success" equips you with the blueprint for becoming a successful speaker, the real transformation comes from putting these lessons into action.

Apply your newfound knowledge on the job, at your community meeting, or in any public speaking situation.

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