Public speaking involves addressing an audience to motivate, influence, persuade, inform, or simply entertain the listeners. it is a structured and deliberate process.
I'd like to add a few more things that I've learned, such as summarizing what essential points the speech contained, to let audiences know what I'd most like them to carry away.
Also, repetition of salient points is necessary to accentuate them, being sure to draw an image of how they can be visualized. In my talks to women's groups about Breast Self Examination, I tell them about the night I found my breast lump. It was while reading an article about breast feeding, that my thoughts were triggered regarding the length of time it had been since I last examined my breasts.
Then I describe how I turned over onto my back, placed a firm smallish scatter pillow under the side of my back for each breast examined, to thrust the breast forward, making more of it available for my exam. That way I easily move into the demonstration portion of the presentation, and they have an idea of how spontaneously it can be done. Also, they know then, that I've discovered my own lump and know personally what it's like to do that.
I use eye contact with as many individuals in the audience as I can, acknowledging their presence there, with me. By noting their expressions, I can tell if they're following me, or if I need to use more examples for greater meaning.
Regarding your point # 12. Often there are time constraints that make it necessary when rehearsing talks, to time them until I can get them within the specified time, leaving at least a quarter of the time for questions. If I'm giving an overview of many different parts of a whole situation, I stop after one part, to ask what is unclear about what I've said. If there's dead silence, I figure no one was actually paying attention, or there is lethargy; and go over some essential points, after pausing to allow time for shy people to speak out. Usually audiences have questions, but may be reticent to voice them, lest they draw attention to their short comings.
My father was President of the Canadian "Dale Carnegie Club" (How to Make Friends and Influence People", the book that originated taught skills of public speaking, in the '50s). Each evening, my sister and I were the audience for our parents' speeches, and timed them. It was a great way to learn more about their subjects, and what was on their minds.
toastmasters international is an excellent resource for development of public speaking skills:
it claims, "become the speaker and leader you want to be."
some of the resources offered on the site:
Public speaking is composed of five basic elements: speaker, message, audience, occasion, and effects. These are otherwise known as who, what, to whom, what medium, and what results?
Called the "number one fear," public speaking tops the phobia index for most people. Few have the training and confidence required to overcome the fear of public speaking and connect with an audience.
Public speaking is such a powerful form of communication that almost every profession requires it. The reluctance to get up in front of an audience can be a major impediment to career advancement. Without question, it is an important skill for nurse educators to master.
What are some tips for more effective speaking?
References
Better Public Speaking and Communication
Presentation Tips for Public Speaking
About VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN
VickyRN, PhD, RN, is a certified nurse educator (NLN) and certified gerontology nurse (ANCC). Her research interests include: the special health and social needs of the vulnerable older adult population; registered nurse staffing and resident outcomes in intermediate care nursing facilities; and, innovations in avoiding institutionalization of frail elderly clients by providing long-term care services and supports in the community. She is a Professor in a large baccalaureate nursing program in North Carolina.
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