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CertainlyWorse  No one is coming. It's just you.  3d ago (text post)   879 thread views

Speechcraft and Pithiness: Give your tips here

This isn't a large question. Because of the users we have here, I think we could all benefit from short sharp tips to edit our own words.

In this topic, can you provide advice on how to curate yourself when you throw words in speech and on 'paper'.

Links to 'speechcraft' sources are appreciated.

I'll start:

  • Take a second to think about how someone else would hear your words if they were you. (rule 0)
  • Curate and cut your words before you throw them.
  • "Brevity is the soul of wit" - Hamlet - Shakespeare.
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Other comments have already touched on what to say, but I think the most underrated and under practiced aspect of speechcraft is intonation and annunciation.

Think of your voice as a musical instrument. Consider singing lessons if you've never taken any. Playing wind blown instruments can also be helpful. Practice opening your throat, lifting your chin and pressing the words out with your diaphragm. Avoid monotone. Practice punchy delivery and learn to get visibly worked up when you're driving home an argument. Listen to the great audio book readers and podcast hosts for exemplars.

Humans are simple creatures. We respond to an excellent delivery in a visceral way. I would focus on this aspect until you master it before worrying about the other aspects. A sloppy speach with excellent delivery is better than a great speach and a poor delivery.

When I was taught public speaking in an old-fashioned English private school, this was summed up as "Look up, slow up, speak up."

This remains good advice. When I have to correct colleagues or family members on public speaking, speaking too fast is the problem about 80% of the time.

Listen to the great audio book readers and podcast hosts for exemplars.

Reading bedtime stories to children is remarkably good practice. They switch off if you go monotone. If you get good at it, children remember it to the point where extended family bedtimes get reorganised around your visits.

They switch off if you go monotone.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing in terms of bedtime stories?

Do you know of any simple techniques to practice this? Recording yourself speaking for instance might be low hanging fruit.

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