How to Become a Good Public Speaker

Did you ever wish you could organize a speech in a matter of minutes? It is entirely possible by using the process of mind- mapping, a by-product of creative thinking.

The simplest form of mapping is to draw a circle in the middle of a paper for the title of the speech and then draw lines like spokes of a wheel to other circles, which represent ideas for paragraphs. Draw lines to other circles, which represent ideas in the paragraph, if necessary.

Eva Shaw, writer and author, describes this method as the “Bubble Method” and recommends this method for all types of creative thinking.. She suggests using a large sheet of paper, the size of a newspaper page, to ensure that numerous ideas will result. The public speaking corporation, Toastmasters International, recommends mapping as one method of organizing a speech. Mind-mapping is a part of the English curriculum as early as high school in some areas of the United States.

The following is a fantasy map with subtopics for a speech about the Super Bowl. The title would be in the center circle, and the subtopics on outer circles.

Introduction - Define Super Bowl

History of game

Playoff system for game

Teams with highest number of Super Bowl wins

Teams never in a Super Bowl

How is site decided?

How many Super Bowls

When you pick the subtopics, think quickly and do not rule out a subtopic at this point. .Later, add or remove subtopics to meet your needs for the speech and time. Conduct the necessary research to secure the supporting material, if necessary.

You will be amazed at the time you will save using the above method. A speaker can almost immediately memorize, through visualization, the topics that are in the circles. In the meantime, the brain begins to work to remember what the speaker may already know about the topics. It is much better than an outline, but some speakers have other preferences. Do not rule this out, as it is fantastic, and you may love it. brakel2

My husband and I have been members of Toastmasters for many years and have turned some of our speeches into articles. This hub contains links to some of those articles on how to become a good public speaker. There are also some references to speaking techniques from others. We hope this information will help you. Feel free to share any techniques that you have found to be helpful or make comments or ask questions. I have two pennames on the computer -Kelbra Fleiss,and also brakel2 on this site and my real name.. All articles are original...

Do you write your speech and then memorize it? Some speakers prefer this procedure as the only way, but if memory fails, the speaker can get lost. The reason people use this method relates to the following issue.

As we get older, our memories begin to fail and many speakers cannot present a speech with or without notes. Some speakers write notes on their hands as Sarah Palin did, while others have notes that are so small, they cannot refer to them. So what is the answer?

Suggestions

1. Use notes when you are a novice and make them large enough to refer to comfortably by using large fonts. Practice and practice until you can perfect this method. Then later, try not using notes at all.

2. If the above method fails, and you must memorize, try to minimize any memory losses, by developing the ability to move on to the next part of the speech, making use of pauses. Keep the speech with you at the lectern...

3. If all else fails, read the speech, but know it well enough to maintain good eye contact with the audience.

If you speak from the heart, using good speech techniques, you will leave a lasting impression with the audience, no matter what method you use.

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