Public speaking posture and mannerisms
Personality, with the exception of preparation, is probably the most important factor in public speaking. It is a well-known fact that personality contributes more to business success than superior intelligence. This is very relevant for the educator and the speaker. In eloquent speaking it is the manner that wins and not the words. Rather it is the manner plus ideas.
Personality is the whole combination of a person encompassing his physical, spiritual and mental traits; tendencies and temperaments; experiences and expertise; vigour and positive outlook in life. Basically an individual's personality is determined by inheritance and environment and so it is extremely difficult to alter or improve the same. Yet anyone can, by forceful thoughts and practice, strengthen it to some extent and make it more powerful and attractive.
If you wish to make the best out of your individuality, go before the audience rested. A tired speaker is not magnetic nor can attract attention. Both physical and mental rest would calm down your nerves. Do nothing to dampen your energy. Keep up your vitality and enthusiasm. People would cluster around an energetic speaker.
Pay attention to your dress. When one is well dressed, the knowledge of it and the feeling of it will have a positive effect on him. It gives him more confidence and helps him to have increased faith in himself. It heightens his self-respect. Basically, the clothes have a great effect on the wearer himself and also on the audience. An audience has as little respect for the speaker as he has for his own appearance. They might very likely to assume that the mind is as sloppy as the ill groomed hair,
crumpled dress, unpolished shoes or bulging pockets.
A speaker is comparable to an object kept under a magnifying glass for constant scrutiny. He is in the spotlight; all eyes are on him. The smallest disharmony in his personal appearance will loom up large, like
the hill jutting out of the ocean. Do not hide behind a table. People want to look at you as the 'whole man'. Refrain from twiddling your thumbs, playing with your clothes and avoid making nervous movements.
When you are seated in front of the audience, you should be careful about how you sit. Feel the chair strike the back of your legs, keep your body erect from head to hips and keep your hands under perfect control. Once you stand up from the chair, stand still for a while and control yourself physically to get the best posture.
Once you reach the podium, stand erect by distributing your weight equally on both the legs. Do not hold onto the podium or mike for support. Do not lean on the podium. The most important thing is, do not be in a hurry to begin the speech. Take a deep breath. Look over your audience for a moment.
If there is a noise or disturbance, pause until it is quiet. Hold your chest high, look at the audience and begin your speech. Use your hands for natural gestures when the urge makes itself felt. Otherwise allow them to fall naturally to your sides.
Next important aspect is gesture. This is not a thing to be put on at will, like a bush shirt. Gesture is an outward expression of inward feelings. Do not repeat the same gesture as it will become monotonous. Do not make short, jerky movements. Do not end your gesture too quickly.
In front of the audience, make only the gestures that come to you naturally. But, while practicing, force yourself to use gestures. This would stimulate you to get the gestures unsought.
Please remember that the most important rule in public speaking is to be free, frank and forceful; be clear, candid, convincing and confident; be new and novel. Say something, which no body has said.Stand up with full confidence and deliver the speech. You will do very well.
Personality is the whole combination of a person encompassing his physical, spiritual and mental traits; tendencies and temperaments; experiences and expertise; vigour and positive outlook in life. Basically an individual's personality is determined by inheritance and environment and so it is extremely difficult to alter or improve the same. Yet anyone can, by forceful thoughts and practice, strengthen it to some extent and make it more powerful and attractive.
If you wish to make the best out of your individuality, go before the audience rested. A tired speaker is not magnetic nor can attract attention. Both physical and mental rest would calm down your nerves. Do nothing to dampen your energy. Keep up your vitality and enthusiasm. People would cluster around an energetic speaker.
Pay attention to your dress. When one is well dressed, the knowledge of it and the feeling of it will have a positive effect on him. It gives him more confidence and helps him to have increased faith in himself. It heightens his self-respect. Basically, the clothes have a great effect on the wearer himself and also on the audience. An audience has as little respect for the speaker as he has for his own appearance. They might very likely to assume that the mind is as sloppy as the ill groomed hair,
crumpled dress, unpolished shoes or bulging pockets.
A speaker is comparable to an object kept under a magnifying glass for constant scrutiny. He is in the spotlight; all eyes are on him. The smallest disharmony in his personal appearance will loom up large, like
the hill jutting out of the ocean. Do not hide behind a table. People want to look at you as the 'whole man'. Refrain from twiddling your thumbs, playing with your clothes and avoid making nervous movements.
When you are seated in front of the audience, you should be careful about how you sit. Feel the chair strike the back of your legs, keep your body erect from head to hips and keep your hands under perfect control. Once you stand up from the chair, stand still for a while and control yourself physically to get the best posture.
Once you reach the podium, stand erect by distributing your weight equally on both the legs. Do not hold onto the podium or mike for support. Do not lean on the podium. The most important thing is, do not be in a hurry to begin the speech. Take a deep breath. Look over your audience for a moment.
If there is a noise or disturbance, pause until it is quiet. Hold your chest high, look at the audience and begin your speech. Use your hands for natural gestures when the urge makes itself felt. Otherwise allow them to fall naturally to your sides.
Next important aspect is gesture. This is not a thing to be put on at will, like a bush shirt. Gesture is an outward expression of inward feelings. Do not repeat the same gesture as it will become monotonous. Do not make short, jerky movements. Do not end your gesture too quickly.
In front of the audience, make only the gestures that come to you naturally. But, while practicing, force yourself to use gestures. This would stimulate you to get the gestures unsought.
Please remember that the most important rule in public speaking is to be free, frank and forceful; be clear, candid, convincing and confident; be new and novel. Say something, which no body has said.Stand up with full confidence and deliver the speech. You will do very well.