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CertainlyWorse  No one is coming. It's just you.  3d ago (text post)   890 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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Do you know of any simple techniques to practice this? Recording yourself speaking for instance might be low hanging fruit.

Low hanging fruit yes, but effective, at least in my view (not OP). I do know firsthand some people who literally saw a coach for improvement, and self-recording and review was part of what they did together even though they had live sessions -- you'd think that would make recording yourself moot, but not so.

However, much like how reading makes you a better writer, I think to some extent finding (and recognizing) good speakers and deliberately imitating some of their patterns is effective.

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