Public speaking is like a conversation in several ways. I like to think of it as a more refined and defined type of conversation. When delivering a speech, you want to be engaged with your audience, much like you would in conversation.
This is done through proper eye contact towards the audience throughout the speech. Some key details furthering the separation of informal conversation and a speech are: the delivery, the way words are spoken, and the structure in its entirety.
For example, let's reference my personal life and personality. Being raised in a family of southern women we talk with our hands and call people (even strangers) pet names like; honey, sugar, and darlin. While this is widely known as good ol "southern charm" in a speech or any kind of formal speaking it is frowned upon, considering the target audience for such things are far and few in formal speaking.
As for the hand gestures (that would significantly have to be dialed down in my case) our text states that using certain gestures and motions is perfectly acceptable in a speech, but if one does not use such gestures in daily conversations they may come off odd and unnatural (Lucas, 2015, p. 70).
When I consider the differences in structure, delivery, and words spoken I remind myself of these. I generally speak in a somewhat elevated volume and have a mid-range tone.
The downside is that I tend to speak rather quickly. This may pass for friendly conversations, but according to Lucas listeners tend to respond negatively to unpolished words and the speaker should be heard clearly throughout the audience (Lucas, 2015, p. 8).
This means slow down, annunciate, and speak at a clear volume. After reading this week's chapters I've gained a stronger understanding of the specifics to becoming a better public speaker. The similarities of the two are there, but as I said before, they must be refined and defined to deliver a proper formal speech.
WC# 330
Reference:
Lucas, S. E. (2015). The Art of Public Speaking (12th ed.). New York, NY : McGraw Hill Education
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