Strategies for successful speaking and listening

Introduction

The reading introduces you to successful strategies needed to be effective in oral communication:

Strategies for improving oral presentations

Strategies for reducing stage fright

Strategies for improving listening

Strategies for improving oral presentations

Steps for preparing effective oral presentations

Kinds of oral presentations

Ways of delivering the oral message

Strategies for an effective oral delivery

Strategies for an effective nonverbal delivery

Steps for preparing effective oral presentations

1. Determine the purpose.

–        To inform, persuade, motivate, or entertain.

2. Analyze the audience and occasion.

–        Group size, age range, interests, goals, etc.

3. Select the main ideas for the message.

–        Selecting core ideas then gathering support information.

4. Research the topic.
5. Organize the data and write the draft.

–        Introduction, Body, and Summary.

6. Create visual aids.

–        Add to understanding and support of your message.

7. Rehearse the talk.

–        You will be comfortable, revising, and perfection.

Kinds of oral presentations

•         Short talks

–        From 1 to 10 minutes

–        Introducing someone

–        Presenting award

–        Representing company, etc.

•         Longer statements

–        10 minutes to 1 hour

–        Lectures, formal presentation, and meetings etc.

–        Longer the presentation greater the risk of losing audience’s attention.

Ways of delivering the oral message

1. Extemporaneous
2. Reading
3. Memorization
4. Impromptu

Strategies for an effective oral delivery

Varying pitch, rate, and volume gives more interests and appeal to the presentation.

•         Pitch: Highness or lowness of your voice.

–        Monotone: A speaker with no variation in pitch.

–        High or Low voice:

–        Same word value: Raising voice, or focusing.

•         Rate: The numbers of words per minutes.

•         Volume: Assure hearing.

•         Vocal quality: Each has different. Relax your throat.

•         Pronunciation: Jargon, varied accent, or sounds.

To improve pronunciation listen educated and cultured people, and consult a recent dictionary.

Strategies for an effective nonverbal delivery

•         Posture: Your standing, sitting, etc.

•         Movement: Move for the following reasons:

–        To hold attention.

–        To get rid of nervousness.

–        To suggest transition.

–        To increase emphasis.

•         Gestures: Any movement of hands, arms, shoulders are termed gestures.

•         Facial Expressions: Interest, happy, or worry.

•         Appearance: Dressing… Formal or casual???

Strategies for reducing stage fright

“ I would not want even an enemy to suffer those terrible moments.”

“This is a wonderful thing…once the speech is over.”

Being at ease, or simply giving an expression of being at ease, is difficult for most of people.

•         Signs of discomfort

•         Strategies for decreasing speaking fears

Signs of discomfort

•         Increased heart rate,

•         Blood pressure,

•         Body temperature,

•         And dry mouth

Look carefully at each: all are internal, none are visible to audience.

Your may be aware of these things but not the audience.

So if you know your weaknesses, only you can overcome.

Strategies for decreasing speaking fears

The stage fright is universal. Following suggestions help to decrease the intensity:

1. Know your subject well.
2. Rehearse your talk several times.
3. Request--- in advance for a lectern (dice).
4. Pre-check any equipment like projector etc.
5. Take an object with you like a pen, pointer.
6. Breath deeply and slowly before speaking.
7. Mover during the speech.
8. Approach the lectern with assurance & enthusiasm.

Strategies for improving listening skills

Listening is the neglected study in school & colleges. But managers from around the world consider it a significant part of  one’s communication skills.

Listening is as important as speaking, reading, and writing.

•         Faults in listening

•         Purposes for listening

•         Results of good listening

Faults in listening

•         Prejudice against the speaker: Conflicts.

•         External distractions: Noisy fan, poor lights.

•         Thinking speed: 800 wpm.

•         Premature evaluation: Straightforward.

•         Semantic stereotypes: Meanings

•         Delivery: Monotype tends to sleeping.

Purposes for listening

It should be no surprise that poor listening is not entirely the fault of the speaker.

Why listen???

1. To gain new information and ideas.
2. To question and test evidence and assumptions.
3. To be inspired.
4. To improve your own communication.

Results of good listening

•         Leads to helpful, positive attitude.

•         Improves communication.

•         A feedback to the speaker by listener interest.

•         Helps listeners to obtain useful information.

•         Creates better understandings of others.