Soffits are lit and directed to the scene. Cameras are included. Microphone checked. The audience slowly calms down and fixes a glance at the podium. It turns out the key personality of the event - the speaker. He is the reason for and for the sake of which those present gathered, the instigator of the whole action. Intolerable situation for someone who is not prepared to be a central figure of such an event. Public speaking is a big responsibility and pressure. How to prepare for them, what to talk about, what rules to adhere to?
What is a public speaking
Public speaking is a public event in which the speaker informs the audience, encourages or dissuades them in something. Characteristics:
- a large number of students (at least a group);
- a clear predominance of monologic utterances;
- built speech structure;
- the presence of a specific goal.
Many are convinced that public speaking is carried out only by politicians, cultural or public figures. This opinion is erroneous, as well as the fact that such events are necessarily accompanied by video filming or an invasion of reporters. This category also includes ordinary parent meetings, the protection of scientific theses, the proclamation of toasts at weddings and similar events.
Communication with the public can be spontaneous, but scheduled performances are practiced more often. What are the basic rules of such representations?
Public Speaking Rules
Interaction with the audience
Despite the fact that in such an event monologues predominate, this communication cannot be called one-sided. The whole process is organized for the sake of the audience, because it is she who is a tool for achieving an oratorical goal. Therefore, feedback is equally important.
The interaction of the speaker with the audience begins from the moment of his appearance on the stage. It occurs on several levels at once:
- visual - gestures directed toward the hall, making eye contact;
- verbal - rhetorical or direct questions, appeals to the crowd;
- emotional - the experience of the emotions of the audience, which feels the public, their mirror image;
- meaning - verbal involvement of the audience in the topic, the urge to think.
The installation of the contact determines the further course of the performance. Therefore, having stepped onto the stage, it is better to greet the audience first, take a look at the audience, and then proceed to speak. It will make listeners feel important.
Topic disclosure
If the speaker announced in advance the title or even the plan for the upcoming meeting, he fully discloses the topic of the speech. Otherwise, he will face the condemnation of society, damaged reputation, as well as a shattered prospect. So that the subject of discussion was considered comprehensively, and the audience was satisfied, the speaker and his speech put forward the requirements:
- convincing arguments (ideally, not only verbal, but also sound, visual, etc.);
- preservation of stylistics (for example, scientific - to protect the diploma);
- accessible vocabulary for the audience;
- clear diction, correct pronunciation;
- consider different points of view, models, situations;
- structured text - the outset, the main part, the climax, the denouement (if necessary - retardation, author's digressions, but in limited quantities).
The speaker at the expense of public speaking wants to achieve a specific goal. However, the audience gathered at the event also has expectations. They spend on such a meeting personal time, and sometimes money. Therefore, delaying speech, speaking in general phrases, and avoiding specifics is considered a bad form.
Dynamics and statics
This rule applies to the speaker's posture, intonation, mimicry, tone, movement around the stage. If the speaker will always stand in one place and talk in a monotonous voice, the audience will fall asleep. And if he begins to run around the stage and the hall, actively waving his arms, writhing grimaces, the listeners will quickly get tired of his movements, lose interest.
To keep the attention of the public, it is necessary to alternate the position in space, the sound of the voice.
This is done during intriguing moments, semantic transitions, unexpected turns in the story. Occasionally, it is advisable to stroll around the stage, so that viewers have time to follow all movements. If the audience at the same time continuously watches the “travel” of the speaker, it means that she is passionate about them.
Reaction to unforeseenness
The speaker is not immune from embarrassment. There are many situations when a microphone creaked severely or the presentation was not turned on. Speakers dropped the sheets with the text of the speech, slipped, ridiculously stipulated. Even unexpected applause sometimes great knocked with the mood. At the same time, the narrators began to stumble, foolishly smile, or try to shout down the rising noise. And it was a failure.
In any situation, it is important to remain calm. Only with him you can quickly figure out how to get out of trouble. If the awkwardness did occur, there are several ways to get out of it adequately:
- delicately joke - only humor, no ridicule or sarcasm;
- to apologize for the incident, continue as if nothing had happened (if you do not dwell on the problem, the audience will also forget about it);
- redirect the attention of the public to something else;
- ask for help from the front row;
- present the event as a planned move (if possible, otherwise everything will look like a miserable excuse).
Speech completion
The speech is over. The audience applauded. Cameras are off. What's next? Stand? Go down to the gym? Leave Run away
Thank you for your attention - the first necessity. The hall will like compliments like “It was an honor to speak to you.” or “I am glad that I could share my idea with the professionals”. If the performance was creative, humorous, you can slightly bow.
But even after that you cannot hurry to leave the stage immediately. Participants may have questions. By answering them, the speaker will recommend himself even better.
Only after that will it be possible to leave the stage. When those present are completely distracted by their affairs, the speaker will be given the right to leave the premises.
How to choose a topic for yourself
A topic can become the basis of a successful speech only if it meets five requirements:
- relevance. No one is interested in hearing about obsolete things that do not affect the current (or at least the future) situation;
- perspective. If the proposed ideas do not solve problems, they do not make sense;
- knowledge. Without proper awareness of the topic, it is impossible to build logical judgments, much less to explain them to other people;
- interest of the speaker. Fuse, the narrator's enthusiasm is transmitted to the audience. The more the author is fascinated by the subject - the easier it is for viewers to adopt this excitement;
- public interest. It is important to determine in advance the target audience. The report “Features of disassembling and cleaning the machine” is unlikely to appeal to the humanities.
Meeting these conditions will help you find a good topic and ensure the success of your speech.
The process of preparing to speak
Rehearsal They will help to remember the text well, to eliminate mistakes, to hone diction. Rehearse better in front of a mirror or friends.
Plan. Being in front of a crowd is stressful. Therefore, it is better to insure and write (draw) on one sheet tips, reminders or story plan. If during a speech the use of the full text is admissible (dissertation defense, informal presentation), it is advisable to put it in a bag on the eve of an important day.
Appearance. All details of the appearance are thought out a few days before the event. These include:
- record for haircut, styling, manicure;
- selection, purchase of attire, shoes, accessories;
- testing new things - hair color, beard shape, style of clothing;
- trip to the dentist, cosmetologist or dermatologist;
- fitting the finished image.
If you do all this one day before your debut, you can stumble upon a bunch of problems. The hairdresser will take a leave, the lacquer will not have time to dry, and last year’s costume will not fit in suddenly.
Eve and morning of the day “X”. Needless to say how important it is to sleep well? Vivacity, healthy complexion, confidence will be additional advantages. Another detail - food. It is better not to eat at night, but have a good breakfast. It is also advisable not to overeat an hour before the performance. If the appetite is awake, it will be enough to have a snack with a sweet bar with nuts.
Nervousness. Alcohol or sedatives before a performance is taboo. They inhibit thought processes, all reactions, significantly worsen speech. Instead of them, just before going on stage you can do some relaxation exercises:
- breathe deeply and evenly, inhaling the air for at least 3 seconds, and exhaling - 5;
- Imagine that all those present in the hall are old acquaintances;
- make a short light workout;
- chew gum slowly (chewing is associated with a calm environment);
- blow on the thumb cushion (slows the pulse).
Public speaking does not fall into the category of events that are easy to conduct without preparation. These are activities that require willpower, confidence, perseverance. Only following the described rules, competently selecting topics, diligently preparing for the presentation, can we count on reliable success.
