Ceremonial Speaking

Most people will give some sort of ceremonial speech during their lifetime. These speeches mark
special occasions. They are common at weddings, graduations and funerals -- as well as large
birthday celebrations and office holiday parties. Ceremonial speaking typically involves a toast and is
personal with an intimate emotional connection to people hearing it.

Demonstrative Speaking

Science demonstrations and role playing are types of demonstrative speaking. This type of public
speaking requires being able to speak clearly and concisely to describe actions and to perform those
actions while speaking. A demonstrative speaker may explain the process behind generating power
while cycling to power a toaster, for example. The idea behind demonstrative speaking is that the
audience members leave with the knowledge about how to do something.

Informative Speaking

With informative speaking, the speaker is trying simply to explain a concept to the audience
members. College lecture courses involve informative speaking as do industry conferences and
public officials sharing vital information. In this type of speaking, the information is what is important.
The speaker is not trying to get others to agree with him or to show them how to do something for
themselves. Rather he is disseminating vital information.

Persuasive Speaking

Persuasive speaking tends to be the most glitzy. Politicians, lawyers and clergy members use
persuasive speaking. This type of speaking requires practicing voice inflections and nuances of
language that will convince the audience members of a certain viewpoint. The persuasive speaker
has a stake in the outcome of the speech. Politicians, for instance, may want votes or a groundswell
of support for a pet project, while lawyers are trying to convince a jury of their position -- and clergy
members are trying to win others over to their faith. The persuasive speaker uses emotional appeals
and strong language in speeches.

The Six Rules of Effective Public Speaking

Rule #1: Make the Audience the Center of Your Universe

You're not the focus of the event! Get that essential truth into your presentation DNA. Ultimately,
every good speaker cares more about the audience than themselves. This can be a tough
prescription to fill if you have speech anxiety, which tends to wrap you in a cocoon of anxiety and self-
consciousness. But the good news is this: focusing fully on the audience lifts a tremendous burden
from your shoulders in terms of worrying about your performance. To make your message new and
exciting for you and your audience is the most wonderful thing that can happen to you as a
speaker.
Rule #2: Focus on Relationships
If the audience is the center of your universe, you're already focused on the right task: establishing
and maintaining a relationship with them. Your speech's content can never live on its own—if it could,
why would there be a presentation? Three relationships are operating during a speech: between you
and the audience; you and the content; and the audience and the content. In the first, you engage,
interest and activate your listeners; in the second, you interpret your content for those listeners; and
in the third, the audience relates to your content because you've pointed out why it matters to them.
Pay attention to all three relationships.

Rule #3: Understand Your Purpose

Too many speakers confuse topic and purpose. For instance, I'll ask a client, "What's your purpose
with this presentation?" And the response will be, "Well, I'm going to talk about—" "No," I say, "that's
your topic . . . what's your purpose?" Then it becomes clear what I mean. Yes, the information is what
you're there to talk about. But it definitely isn't what you're there to accomplish. Audiences hope to be
better for the experience of listening to you—and that's exactly what you must try to make happen.
Being clear on your purpose will help you gather exactly the right information to accomplish it.

Rule #4: Use Your Body

Your body is a powerful communication tool. You're not a brain in a bell jar communicating
telepathically. Audiences need you to give physical expression to your message. That, of course,
means understanding how to use body language as a speaker. Suggestions: Stand rather than sit
if you have a choice (so you don't eliminate 50% of your physical presence). Come out from behind
the lectern if possible. Make your gestures few in number and well defined. And discover an actor's
secrets for commanding a stage.

Rule #5: Color Your Vocal Delivery

Your voice is the most flexible speaking tool you own apart from the brain itself. It's capable of a wide
range of coloration and effects, from astonishment and incredulity to mockery and seduction, and a
hundred other intentions. To speak without vocal variation means using a "mono" or single tone, from
which we derive the word monotonous. If you're limited vocally, work with a speech coach to learn
the vocal dynamics that will, quite simply, make you a more exciting speaker.

Rule #6: Boost Your Skills at Q & A

I call Q & A "the forgotten avenue of audience persuasion." Virtually anyone can give a reasonable
presentation if they prepare and practice enough. But what happens when the questions, challenges,
and push-back begin? The speaker who can handle that situation with style, knowledge, and a bit of
self-deprecating humor, is the person who embodies presentation leadership. And while you're at it,
brush up on my 7 "danger zones" of Q & A.