Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore we must learn both arts.
Thomas Carlisle ~
“It is delivery that makes the orators success.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Today’s quote about public speaking – well conversation, really, but it applies as well … don’t you think?
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
— Dorothy Nevill
There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience
–Alexander Gregg
The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.
— Mark Twain
… or as powerful, or as useful at keeping audience attention.
Do you remember a time in school when a child or maybe a pair of children were chatting when the teacher was talking. The teacher stopped, the class was silent, and the children kept chatting. Until suddenly one became aware of what was happening ….
Then you will know very well, the power of the pause!!
“Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all. ”
— Sir Winston Churchill
Well, that’s William Churchill’s thought.
My thoughts …?
Broadly speaking of course.
Keeping it simple always works in any endeavour including in public speaking, but short varied with long will have more power.
Old words – ah that appeals. There is so much less chance of misunderstanding, and people feel comfortable with the familiar.
And here is Churchill using the rule of three for great power, not to mention repetition and building to a climax.
Love it!!
“Practice is the best of all instructors.”
– Publilius Syrus
The most precious things in speech are the pauses.
Sir Ralph Richardson
Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.
Martin Fraquhar Tupper
Chinese proverb:
One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.
Nobody likes looking like or feeling like a fool –
not you, not me and not our audiences either,
so we understand very well, the urge to avoid asking.
Still, as speakers, we don’t want our audiences to be fools either.
So … two things …
One If there is a chance that Q & A will add to the life improvements or wisdom of your audience that you may have overlooked in your presentation, or you have some other reason for holding Q & A, then encourage them all you can
and
Two Set things up so that your audience can ask questions in a way that is safe for them.
If you would like to learn more about confident, effective use of Q & A, try these …
Q & A – What to say if you don’t know the answer
Your Question and Answer Session – 3 ways to set yourself and your audience up for success
How to stop a boorish Q&A Hog in 3 easy steps
In the Line of Fire: how to handle tough questions when it counts