Rhetoric is the art of dialogue between a speaker and an audience. Naturally, anyone speaking to an audience and engaging in this dialogue wants the interaction to be smooth and successful. In this article, I begin exploring the five elements of the art of rhetoric that will help speakers do their “homework”: prepare for a speech, feel confident in front of an audience, and communicate their message persuasively.
“…Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change…” — Wayne W. Dyer
“Public speaking is something you either have or you don’t… I wasn’t given it… I can’t speak… I’m afraid to speak… The audience will make fun of me; they won’t understand me… I’m a poor speaker… Anything but public speaking… I’ll die on the spot when I see a crowd of people looking at me and listening…” Sound familiar?
These are not just phrases. They are phrases we believe. They are stories created by our minds that we have come to believe. They are our beliefs.
Beliefs are a set of rules that develop throughout our lives and guide us in our everyday personal and professional lives. Much of what a person achieves is shaped by the beliefs they live by. Beliefs can be divided into two types: limiting and empowering. Sadly, much of humanity is governed by limiting beliefs – fear, insecurity, and hopelessness. So, first of all, let us observe and examine our beliefs. What are they? Empowering or limiting? Can I speak in public or not? Does the audience want me to succeed, or do they want me to fail? After all, what I believe determines what and how I speak.
Yet all limiting beliefs can be transformed into empowering ones. All fears – especially the fear of public speaking – can be turned into our strengths.
So, what are my beliefs?
“…The word that is born through breathing is the very essence of a human being…” — Ancient Egyptian wisdom
Are you familiar with these states? Fear, anxiety, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, an increased heart rate, a dry mouth, sweaty palms, a pale or flushed face, the feeling that “I can’t see or hear anything,” tense muscles, trembling…
These and similar symptoms have a profound impact on your voice and your ability to speak with energy and enthusiasm. Why do I run out of breath when speaking in public? Why don’t I feel strength in my voice?
The answer is simple: improper breathing has a major impact on our ability to speak in public.
Whoever controls their breathing controls the situation. This variation of a well-known saying is particularly fitting for someone speaking to an audience.
What is my breathing like? Do I breathe with my diaphragm or my chest? Does my breath flow freely, or does it become restricted somewhere? Do I breathe only unconsciously to sustain my existence, or, on the contrary, do I know how to breathe consciously?
Conscious breathing – how can you use it when speaking in public?
“…The human body is the best work of art…” — Jess C. Scott
Is my body simply a frame to support my head, or a temple in which God resides? That is for us to decide.
When was the last time you truly felt your body? When was the last time you let your body take a holiday? And no, we are not talking about sleep. We are not talking about a headache, tiredness, or the sensation in your stomach after eating spicy food. We are talking about how your body feels right now, as you sit, stand, or lie down.
How does your body feel when you stand and speak in front of an audience?
A relaxed and free body brings back our joy in life. A relaxed body radiates confidence. And we naturally want to believe someone who is confident in themselves.
How can you control your body?
“…Find YOUR voice and help others find theirs…” — Stephen Covey
The human voice is an instrument we all play. Perhaps it is the most powerful sound in the world. It can start a war or say, “I love you.”
The power of the voice is truly remarkable. When we hear the pleasant, velvety, confident voice of a person, it suddenly matters less what they look like, whether they are famous, beautiful, or wealthy… Sometimes, we can even fall in love with someone simply by hearing their voice.
The voice is an instrument of influence and persuasion.
Our subconscious desire to follow a powerful voice, rich in strong vibrations, has deep roots.
When we respond to a strong voice, we are responding to a stronger force while, at the same time, feeling protected by that force. This is a law of nature, where only the strongest survive.
But the opposite can also be true: a shaky, shrill voice and unclear articulation can seem to erase all of a person’s achievements, making us reluctant to listen to them or believe them. A high-pitched, sharp voice can create a subconscious feeling of anxiety and discomfort. We do not feel safe around such a person.
The voice is the tip of the iceberg. If the tone and sound of our speech are not right, we need to look deeper. To get to know ourselves… and develop our voice through specialised exercises.
“…Creativity without discipline and rules is a battle with no winner. Creativity combined with discipline and rules is the path to success…” — Amit Kalantri
An eternal question: why do we need instructions? Why does a speech need structure?
The answer is very simple. As a speaker, instructions help me prepare better for a speech, maintain the initiative during the speech, and later analyse in detail which parts of my speech structure I handled well and where I need to improve.
For listeners, a structured speech provides information in a logical, clear, and understandable way. When they hear a structured speech, they hear a coherent and engaging story. And since the very beginning of human history, people have loved listening to stories.
Every speech you give – regardless of the topic – should become a small story. A story with its own structure.
“…A speech (presentation) is the art of telling your story…” — Jerry Weissman
And here is another interesting paradox: the more closely I follow the structure of a speech (the instructions), the more I am able to improvise.
Why? Because I have a strong foundation. I feel confident, I trust myself, I am free, and I can relax.
And please, do not believe it when someone tells you: “Well, yes, structure… But there are people who can speak off the cuff…”
Experience shows that the most successful improvisation is the one that has been thoroughly prepared.
What structure do I use?
