Public Speaking - 3 Steps for Adding More Color to Your Delivery

Public Speaking

When it comes to speaking with more emotion, more life, more color, many people think it is just the voice with which they need to be concerned. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your facial expression and body language are just as important as your vocal variety.

Think of what you do with your hands when you are talking to your friends, family or colleagues for example. If you're standing, are they hanging loose at your sides? I would think not. More than likely you move them in some fashion. Also, you probably don't stand perfectly still in this situation.

What about your facial expression? Do you smile, frown, or show some form of expression or emotion when you are in conversation? Perhaps you raise your eyebrows or shake your head from side to side if you are in disagreement.

If you are aware that you are using some form of color in your body language and facial expression when in conversation, then I want you to do the same when addressing an audience because it will look and feel more natural than standing immobile on a stage like a robot.

On the other hand, should you find your delivery skills lacking in expression both in conversation and at the lectern, try the following exercises, using a video recorder if at all possible. Even accessing the recording capabilities on you iPhone will work. For this exercise, it will be easier if you are standing.

1. Record yourself saying, I couldn't possibly do that using force on the word possibly. Keep the other four words relatively flat. Play it back. Were you able to accomplish the goal? Did you notice a difference? If you didn't, keep practicing until the word possibly stands out from the others.

2. Record yourself again and, this time, shake your head in a negative manner. Watch yourself on the recording. Did it look natural? If not, practice it again and again until it does.

3. Assuming you have accomplished the above 2 steps, when you record yourself this time, move back slightly with one foot as you say it and use one of your hands to emphasize the word possibly.
This exercise will be most effective if you are alone when you record yourself so that you do not feel self-conscious. You also need to 'allow' yourself or to give yourself permission to express your emotion.

Admittedly, in the beginning this is easier said than done. You have spent your entire lifetime keeping your emotions inside of you. What I am asking you to do will require the freedom to express.
Remember, speaking with emotion and allowing your listeners to see your expression is normal. Speaking in a monotone voice with no emotion is not.

The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. Visit Voice Dynamic and discover the best means of adding some life to your voice and your delivery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Daniels

Speaking - Giving a Comic Speech

Speaking - Giving a Comic Speech

Much like jello, there is always room for humor. Even the most solemn of speeches can be enhanced by the right kind of funny. How do you create a speech that is funny, relevant, and still a speech (rather than a standup routine)? Follow these simple rules, and you'll be delivering a comic speech that will bolster your message and keep your audience interested.

The Rule of Three
Three is the magic number in just about anything. It's especially magic in comedy. Aristotle said, "The secret to humor is surprise." He's still right to this day. The funniest things happen unexpectedly. That's why the rule of three works so well. When you mention two perfectly normal or logical things and follow them with something that doesn't fit, is opposite, or is totally illogical, it takes your audience by surprise and, if done correctly, can really make them laugh.
Renowned comedian John Kinde explains some of the patterns that you may use:

• Same/Same/Different (categories)
• Expected/Expected/Unexpected (traits)
• Love/Love/Hate
• Ordinary/Ordinary/Ridiculous
• Extreme/Extreme/Ordinary

... the list goes on.
Franklin D. Roosevelt utilized this rule when he advised speakers to "Be sincere, be brief, be seated."

Observational Humor
Simply put, observational humor is infusing your speech with something you've observed recently. It is a shared experience that instantly endears you to the audience. If you are someone who can think on your feet, this is a wonderful technique that instantly gets the audience on your side. It can also make your well-rehearsed, prepared speech seem tailored and spontaneous.

When thinking of observational humor, the first name that typically comes to mind is Jerry Seinfeld. He can take the most mundane, everyday occurrence and make a joke out of it. You can do this, too. You don't have to go off on a wild story like Bill Cosby or hire a team of writers like Jay Leno - simply be aware of your surroundings and perhaps a quirk or complaint of your audience and work it into your speech.
This is also a great technique to employ should something embarrassing happen, such as a cell phone going off in the middle of your speech or your PowerPoint powering down when you need it most.

Self-effacing Humor
If you can good-naturedly poke fun at yourself, you've got a gold mine for a humorous speech. The easiest are obvious traits, such as being excessively tall or short. It doesn't even have to be verbal - I once saw a speaker bring down the house just by staring up for a moment at the microphone that had been set above her head. She made a face, then faked a couple of jumping swipes as if trying to reach it. When the technician came to rescue her, she gave him a kiss on the cheek after he adjusted the stand. She could have adjusted it herself and even complained about the height - instead she chose to make us laugh. From then on, we really wanted to hear what she had to say.

The most important thing to remember about using self-effacing humor is to have fun. No one wants to hear you beat up on yourself. Make sure it's something you can laugh about yourself.

Humorist vs. Comic
If you are a humorist, you can deliver a funny, engaging, and poignant speech that teaches even as it entertains. This is a different art form than being a stand-up comic delivering one-liners. Combining the three techniques above in various ways may take a bit of practice, but the payoff is huge. If they're laughing, they're learning.

Melanie Hope is an award-winning professional speaker who is known for her energy and creative ways to teach better communication. Contact her via http://hopespeaking.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8090254