Vocal Variety may be the easiest way to judge a public speaker – and the hardest skill to develop well.  It’s all too easy to get overly dramatic with voices.  We end up sounding like cartoon characters.  Creating subtle characters using our voices demonstrates mastery of public speaking, which is why we have to struggle … Continue reading "Is Mona Lisa Smiling? The Power of Vocal Variety"

Vocal Variety may be the easiest way to judge a public speaker – and the hardest skill to develop well.  It’s all too easy to get overly dramatic with voices.  We end up sounding like cartoon characters.  Creating subtle characters using our voices demonstrates mastery of public speaking, which is why we have to struggle … Continue reading "Is Mona Lisa Smiling? The Power of Vocal Variety"

The fifth project in the Competent Communicator Manual focuses on body language. What exactly is body language?  In general, it’s the non-verbal messages from a speaker to the audience, including deliberate gestures and facial movements, and involuntary and spontaneous actions. Studies have shown that body language has great credibility with the audience than the words of the … Continue reading "Dive into Body Language: Project 5"

The fifth project in the Competent Communicator Manual focuses on body language. What exactly is body language?  In general, it’s the non-verbal messages from a speaker to the audience, including deliberate gestures and facial movements, and involuntary and spontaneous actions. Studies have shown that body language has great credibility with the audience than the words of the … Continue reading "Dive into Body Language: Project 5"

The first speech you'll give in Toastmasters in the Ice Breaker, a speech about yourself. What do you want us to know about you? Continue reading

Your Audience Sets the Tone of Your Speech It’s a mistake to think that you alone as the speaker decide what you get to say and how you’re going to say it.  Communication only happens when there are a speaker and an audience.  You have to consider them first, even before your message.  The audience … Continue reading "Find Your Audience: The Sweet Spot"

Your Audience Sets the Tone of Your Speech It’s a mistake to think that you alone as the speaker decide what you get to say and how you’re going to say it.  Communication only happens when there are a speaker and an audience.  You have to consider them first, even before your message.  The audience … Continue reading "Find Your Audience: The Sweet Spot"

What’s your Speech Purpose? There are 4 main reasons to give a speech: to inform to inspire to entertain to call to action. By knowing your speech purpose, you’ll be able to limit your topic and exclude material that’s not specific to your speech.    Often, this will help you decide what to include and … Continue reading "Project 3: What's Your Purpose?"

What’s your Speech Purpose? There are 4 main reasons to give a speech: to inform to inspire to entertain to call to action. By knowing your speech purpose, you’ll be able to limit your topic and exclude material that’s not specific to your speech.    Often, this will help you decide what to include and ... Read moreProject 3: What's Your Purpose?

When you have to write a speech, it pays to organize your writing backwards. Consider your goal first and write the conclusion, then the rest of the speech.