|
readandwept
|
 |
« on: August 30, 2011, 05:54:32 PM » |
|
I'm a decent speaker. I'd like to be better. Is anyone here great? How did you learn? Do those who teach public speaking have any books or websites to recommend?
I tend to be clear, and I do always practice my talks (so I also don't run over time), but I think I'm a bit on the boring side.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
zuzu_
|
|
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2011, 07:33:54 PM » |
|
I think I'm good (and have been told so by others), and I credit this skill to a BA in Theater with an emphasis in acting.
Seriously--all of those acting classes taught me 1.) Never to get embarrassed or "rattled"; and 2.) The art of comic timing. It's also about being able to project your voice and appear "grounded." Maybe try taking an acting class or getting involved with community theater.
Once I'd played Helen Keller onstage, I was never self-conscious again.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
readandwept
|
|
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2011, 09:17:20 PM » |
|
Hmm. Short of taking an acting class, are there ways I can learn comic timing and to project my voice? I wouldn't mind taking an acting class for non-actors, but I don't know if there are such things in my locale (or if I'd be able to afford them).
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
systeme_d_
|
|
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2011, 10:34:28 PM » |
|
You might think this is weird, but I learned a heck of a lot about public speaking in a preaching class I had to take while at seminary. If you have a seminary nearby, you could inquire.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
|
|
|
readandwept
|
|
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2011, 10:06:34 AM » |
|
You might think this is weird, but I learned a heck of a lot about public speaking in a preaching class I had to take while at seminary. If you have a seminary nearby, you could inquire.
That's a fascinating idea! You don't think it's offensive to inquire if I don't share the religion? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,288
Eschew the hu.
|
|
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2011, 10:21:58 AM » |
|
I am good but definitely not great. I got a lot better when I moved away from reading my paper. Now I have a written intro, a set of bullet points, and (important!) a written conclusion.
I would caution against turning your presentation into a performance. In an academic setting this is obnoxious. It makes the talk about you rather than the topic.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
zuzu_
|
|
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2011, 10:57:36 AM » |
|
I am good but definitely not great. I got a lot better when I moved away from reading my paper. Now I have a written intro, a set of bullet points, and (important!) a written conclusion.
I would caution against turning your presentation into a performance. In an academic setting this is obnoxious. It makes the talk about you rather than the topic.
Part of the performance is to appear natural and not like an obnoxious ham. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
scampster
|
|
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2011, 11:04:32 AM » |
|
Toastmasters? I'm surprised at how many people I know belong to a Toastmasters group to improve their public speaking. I imagine each chapter is different, so your local group might not appeal to you, but it might be worth a try.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
When you are a scientist your opinions and prejudices become facts. Science is like magic that way!
|
|
|
larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,288
Eschew the hu.
|
|
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2011, 11:27:25 AM » |
|
Oh and here is the great secret of academic presentations. Nine of ten times, no one is listening.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
systeme_d_
|
|
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2011, 11:57:14 AM » |
|
You might think this is weird, but I learned a heck of a lot about public speaking in a preaching class I had to take while at seminary. If you have a seminary nearby, you could inquire.
That's a fascinating idea! You don't think it's offensive to inquire if I don't share the religion? I didn't share the dominant religion of the seminary, and I was a full time, degree-seeking student. This was a very lefty seminary, though. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: August 31, 2011, 11:58:15 AM by systeme_d_ »
|
Logged
|
Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
|
|
|
readandwept
|
|
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2011, 12:16:27 PM » |
|
Oh and here is the great secret of academic presentations. Nine of ten times, no one is listening.
I'd been hoping to improve my speaking to escape this, but I suppose I could just accept it! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
dolljepopp
a "liberal neo-monarchist"
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 3,901
So 'ne Driss...
|
|
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2011, 03:56:07 PM » |
|
Does your university offer a public speaking class?
I also second the Toastmasters suggestion. The people I know involved with it here are rather strangely cult-like about the chapter here, but otherwise I have mostly heard good things about it as an organisation.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Double standards are the warning signals of a free society." - Timothy Garton Ash
|
|
|
|
janewales
|
|
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2011, 08:50:44 AM » |
|
If you like to sing, you could join a choir: I sang in a good one for years, and learned a lot about posture, projection, and effective ways of producing and supporting my voice-- all things that cross over nicely into public speaking.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
burnie
|
|
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2011, 08:57:12 AM » |
|
Toastmasters? I'm surprised at how many people I know belong to a Toastmasters group to improve their public speaking. I imagine each chapter is different, so your local group might not appeal to you, but it might be worth a try.
Chime on Toastmasters. I competed on my schools' speech teams from jr high through grad school and now advise a local Toastmasters. I have a lot of respect for what they do and it's a lot of fun!! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Corporate America wants people who seem like bold risk takers, but never actually do anything. - Barney Stinson
|
|
|
|
burnie
|
|
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2011, 08:59:46 AM » |
|
Does your university offer a public speaking class?
I also second the Toastmasters suggestion. The people I know involved with it here are rather strangely cult-like about the chapter here, but otherwise I have mostly heard good things about it as an organisation.
I would skip the intro public speaking class and look for a Business or Professional Speaking class. You can usually find them in the Business or Communication depts |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Corporate America wants people who seem like bold risk takers, but never actually do anything. - Barney Stinson
|
|
|
|
