Humans as a species have realized that in order to have power and be successful, you must be able to communicate in a way that gets your point across and your words must have meaning to them. The trouble with that is some people do not know how to give words a meaning, or they might be terrified to go in front of a large crowd that is judging them. I personally tend to start speaking faster and miss some words in my speech while I fidget with jewelry or I constantly shift my weight from one side to the other. Even if you are the most confident person in the world, you still may be bad at public speaking simply because you do not start a fire in the audience's hearts. The bright side of being nervous or bad at articulating your words is that anyone and everyone can learn how to properly speak in a large public setting! You just have to leave a lasting impression on the audience and make them remember what you have to say.
While reading, I have found out that there are 3 different types of public speaking. Personal speeches include toasts at weddings or at parties. It does not have to do with work or a public setting. The words spoken are typically from the heart and most times have several levels of emotion to them. The next type of public speaking is professional. Teachers, entertainers, and people that have to talk all the time for their job use this type the most. The speeches are typically informative, such as a psychology teacher giving a lecture about the different types of memory, or a television anchor giving a story about the election. The final type is public. Candidates for electoral offices give public speeches very often so that their voice and opinion can be heard by everyone. The point of this kind of speaking is to be able to form an opinion and to persuade your audience to swing to your side.
The origin of public speaking comes from the Greeks in during the rise of democracy. The Greeks originally used public speaking as a way of persuasion, but they were also used to place blame on someone or a group or people. At around the age of 14, boys where sent to school to learn how to public speak, it was apart of the basic schooling system and was even taught by Aristotle himself. Along with the Greeks, the Roman Republic used public speaking as a way to persuade the people. Not only did they use it to persuade, they used it to debate within the Senate. Since the beginning of time and civilization, humans have used public speaking as a way to make their voices heard, whether it is to 10 people, or 10,000. Public speaking itself really has not changed much since it has always been used to persuade or voice your opinion, but the way that the opinion is heard has changed. At first people might have gathered in the city center to hear the politics debate, but now people do not even have to leave their couch, and we have the ability to look up anyone's opinion with the simple search on a phone or computer.
Very good comments on public speaking! Many people are afraid of being judged, which is why they have a tendency to speak more freely virtually. I like what you have posted here!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I think the type of speaking I use the most is personal speaking. I’ve spoken at a few family and friend events before. I find it interesting to know the types of speeches that can be made.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I like how you mentioned some people don't know how to give words a meaning. I believe Katelyn had mentioned something about this in her post and being able to "paint a picture" for your audience. Often times I can find myself starting to speak faster as I begin to let the nerves rattle, but one thing I like to keep in mind when I'm speaking is to be confident in what I'm saying. In my opinion, If you can speak clear with confidence you can engage your audience. If you start to notice engagement, you feel a sense of relief, that you have their attention and people are listening. This to me tends to put my mind at ease when I'm speaking in public or talking with a group.
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