So you are planning to open your next speech with a bang with the funniest of an anecdote that you came across the previous day on a little known website or are you planning to close the session with the inspirational quote that you think will earn you a standing ovation. Sorry to say, you are thinking in the wrong direction.
A good speech is not all about citing funny examples or inserting here and there a few famous quotations. The secret of creating a good speech lies in the string of the whole speech with appropriate words.
If you are always correct in the choice of your words, listeners will easily grasp the idea and respond to it in a positive way, and more importantly, if they get your point they will also remember what you have said.
So you should be careful enough to choose a language that expresses your views with clarity and precision. As a public speaker, you should be able to yield command over your words.
Language is the vehicle through which we express our thought and beliefs and communicate them to the others. When we casually talk to somebody or a group we use a separate set of language to communicate with them.
On the other hand when you are delivering a speech before a group of individuals who have gathered to hear your speech your language should be entirely different you should be choosy about the words used in the speech.
There is a basic difference between casual conversation and public speaking. In the latter case, you have a defined goal before you, either you persuade a group of people to believe something or sharing with them a piece of information or you are teaching them how certain things can be done and so on.
So the language of your speech should complement your thoughts and the words chosen are the conduits through which the ideas are transported to the audience.
Thus the proper choice of the words gives power to your speech, and helps to organize thoughts in a meaningful pattern and confirms your identity as a successful public speaker.
There are some basic rules regarding the choice of your words when you are going to deliver a speech before the public. As a public speaker your aim is to create impact and influence the ideas of the audience.
So the speech should contain such words that create maximum impact for the audience. The appropriate choice of words does not only present your statement in the most credible manner, but they also add drama to your presentation and thus transform an ordinary speaker into a powerful speaker.
As it is often said, public speaking is all about persuade the audience to think in your direction and how can you make it possible if you are not affirmative in your choice of words.
For instance, if you use such phrases like this may happen someday, it sounds vague. If you would have been said if you follow such and such precautions the things will take these turns.
Also do not use such phrases as I hope, instead put it this way, I am sure, definitely, you will agree with me and so on.
Then work on your vocabulary to include variety in your bank of words. If you use one particular word repetitively, the speech sounds monotonous. But do not get tempted to use over inflated vocabulary, it will fly off above the head of your audience.
On the other hand, a simplistic language may make an erudite circle of audience think low of your abilities.
So choose your language according to the type of the audience (male-female ratio, age group etc) and what they want to hear from you. Also take into consideration the purpose of the speech so that the language is able to set the right mood.
When the audience is a pack of smart intelligent professionals, use a formal tone, and stuff your speech with logical arguments to appeal to their common sense.
On the other hand, if you are addressing an audience in a ceremony, create a festive mood, using a fairy language to set the mood of celebration. Wherever you make a speech, be sure to send your message human terms with the use of vivid verbs.
In order to add greater significance to the words of your mouth complement them with proper body languages and visual aids. Take the advantage of the fact that the people learn well when the things they are listening to are aided by visual imageries.
Close your speech simply but firmly. This concludes the topic and I am sure you agree with my view will be a fine conclusion that confirms your conviction about the subject.
Go through the examples of the speeches of the greatest orators of all times to learn the tones, textures, and logical transitions and apply these elements to your speech to make them extraordinary.
From the best writers you can continue learning the secrets of lead paragraphs, texture, tone, logical transitions, and conclusions and apply these elements to your speeches.