Public speaking is a mastery that requires excellent skill from an orator who truly aims to captivate the attention of a crowd. There are many great sources of information that discuss what traits and skills are beneficial in this task. Moreover, there are outstanding speakers whose performances can be examined for further reference. In this paper, I will review what flaws persist throughout my speeches, how I can address them, and what public figure can serve as a great example on an ideal speech.
One of the most troublesome issues that I observed in my speeches is their structural integrity. While I separate my texts into parts, some issues remain with delivering each part with no perceivable gaps. Audiences have difficulties following a poorly outlined idea, despite possibly agreeing with an overall message. Implementing statistics and other significant data within the body of a speech also can be particularly troublesome for me. While references are evident, they may appear to be out-of-place or insufficient when provided alone. The lack of attention-grabbing elements within a speech worsens the acceptance of any message, however accurate it might be.
I chose Barack Obama as a figure whose speeches are always on-point and remarkably easy to follow. He can deliver any type of information with high precision in a well-organized format with zero structural flaws. In the video compilation of Obama’s greatest speeches, it is visible that he articulates historical, statistical, and political information without referencing any supporting material, making his statements appear fully integrated (NBC News, 2017). Moreover, he was able to incorporate this data with metaphors that enhanced otherwise purely standardized data (NBC News, 2017). Obama was a leader who was able to address any topic with great confidence that swayed those listening to his speech.
Merely making no mistakes throughout a speech is not a sufficient reason for it to be excellent. One must be able to entice their audience and keep attention on the presentation throughout the entire length of a performance. To achieve that, I must make several adjustments to my preparations. Aside from an introduction and a conclusion, the main body of a speech must lay out facts that gradually flow from previously mentioned ones (Gunn, 2017). Structures that are widely used are acceptable as a way to create a fitting formal speech, although adding uniqueness will help captivate an audience with greater efficiency (Gunn, 2017). Summarizing my points in a conclusion could serve as a method to depict a continuous story that is more likely to be remembered (Gunn, 2017). As for the statistics, presentation aids could serve as an excellent tool for visualizing evidence (Gunn, 2017). It is essential to consider other options for more engaging performance, such as the usage of literary devices.
In conclusion, the assessment form helped me to realize what points I should be working on throughout the course. There is a need to focus on creating a continuous flow of information that will be easy to follow. Moreover, I will place references into a more comprehensible format to make them appear more integrated. I will focus my attention on bringing the clarity and structure of my performances to the standard set by Barack Obama in his public speeches since he delivers the information with great fluency.
References
Gunn, J. (2017). Speech craft. Bedford/St. Martin’s.
NBC News. (2017). President Barack Obama’s greatest speeches [Video]. YouTube.