Well, as the title might imply, I am looking to become an amazing public speaker. I believe that we are intrinsically monistic beings. I want to not only have an a massive physical and mental presence, but I want to be able to share my “wealth of knowledge” with others and inspire/motivate others (I want to eventually enter politics after I’m done with sports). Here’s the controversial part…
While I obviously understand that he was a horrible man who committed countless atrocities that could never be cast in a good light, I can’t help but inspired by Hitler’s amazing oratory skills. He was just amazing at persuasive speeches, and he was extremely verbose. When I say I want to be a great speaker, I mean I want to be on the same level as Hitler. I have the conviction that is so ever-important. I have a decent, but not extensive, vocabulary. But I just have nowhere to practice. I used to have very bad social anxiety, and I never want to have it again. The last speech I gave, I wasn’t nervous at all for the first time in my life, and I want to keep it that way, but I often don’t project my voice as much and I DO have a slight lisp (not a “th” lisp, but an “s” lisp, so not as bad, but DEFINITELY noticeable).
And when I say I want to be good at speeches, I want to become good at IMPROVISED speeches. NO notes, NO slides, NOT a class presentation. Actual improvised speaking. I’m just not sure what to do. I have the conviction, and I know which words to emphasize for emotion, but my voice isn’t really too great. It’s not inspirational.
Is there really anything I can do to remedy that? To improve my voice? I’m on a budget and saving for something, so I can’t spend money on like voice teachers or anything. I basically just want to be able to fix my voice and make it resonate more. I don’t throat speak or speak through my nasal passages, and I utilize diaphragm breathing, so those aren’t the problems.
The best improvised speeches are well planned and rehearsed. The improvisation is usually a matter of selection, order, or occasionally a spur of the moment concept.
I don’t know to get your voice to resonate, but mine will by speaking loudly, head up, maybe even tilted back a little, and slowing down my speech. People tell me I should do it more often, but it seems like a lot of trouble to go through to me.
Really? You couldn’t have chosen someone like Martin Luther King, Jr. as a role model?
If you want to develop your public speaking, you have to speak in public. Since there aren’t that many opportunities for free-lance public speaking anymore, you might try joining a chorus to develop your vocal range and breathing skills.
By the way, there is a quality called “charisma” that separates the unforgettable orators from the merely good. Unfortunately, you’re either born with it or you’re not.
The ones near me cost money. Plus, I’m not too fond of the idea of non-improvised speeches. I want to b good at on-the-spot speeches (obviously on topics I’m knowledgeable about).
Join an amateur theatrical society. Practice at projecting a persona on stage will help in projecting yourself as a speaker.
Plus I agree with others that the best “improvised” speeches are not really improvised: the speaker will have organised the structure of the speech and decided how to express the thoughts in advance, even if the speech was not written down on paper.
Well, I chose Hitler because, while MLK was a great speaker, Hitler was light-years ahead of him. I mean, his speeches are actually pretty inspirational. Before he went bat-shit crazy and started committing genocide, his speeches actually had positive messages behind them. I think he was driven more by love of his people rather than contempt for the Zionists, contrary to popular belief. But that’s really irrelevant, since he killed innocent people.
And I want to speak in public, but I have no opportunities. The only opportunities I have to develop my leadership skills are on the football field. I hope to become my college’s captain this season as a walk-on (I know I can do it).
And I think charisma is another intrinsic quality, but it takes some kind of life-changing incident or humbling incident that really raises your self-confidence and really helps you discover your previously-hidden charisma.
Well, obviously every speech has specific points they want to address, and the person has to have previous knowledge on the topic, but I’m saying that I don’t want to have to use ANY notes or slides and not try and memorize ANY words/phrases. Basically, I want to be able to just talk freely about my topic and not bond myself to the chains of pre-determined sentences that show your lack of conviction. I did it successfully in my last speech, but that was about personal training, not anything serious, like a political issue.
I see so many people confuse themselves because they always try and use filler words, or recall specific words and get loganamnosis, or try and memorize their speeches, and I don’t want that. I want to just be informed on my topic and just talk about it.
I used to be very shy and had very low self esteem. I realized that I needed to do something about that, so I started faking it. *I’m not shy and I have a lot of self confidence *was the face I put on every day.
It took quite a while, but now I can be pulled onto the stage in front of a crowd of drunk bikers and thank them for attending the event, and please give us more money.
I agree that speaking ability is planned. I research, I know my facts and I go over questions in my mind before the event to find the right answer.
You have to practice. Maybe you could volunteer for a cause you like and start begging for money? That’s really what worked for me.
Toastmasters is the answer. As pointed out most “improvised” speeches have been carefully crafted and rehearsed many times, and if you truly want to be able to improvise the first step is simply to learn to speak in public which is exactly what Toastmasters will teach you.
Little hint - leave out the Hitler nonsense from now on.
Seriously, unless you’re associating with a hate group there’s no way it comes off good in any sense.
FWIW - I had an “s” lisp as a teenager. One of my teachers noticed and I was referred to a speech pathologist. I was amazed at how quickly she was able to fix it. Basically it involved me standing in front of a mirror and saying “thhhh” while watching my tongue. I probably spent a total of a couple hours working on it. Totally gone.
I am well regarded for my public speaking abilities. It sort of comes naturally for me, but I’ve had to work on slowing down. Recording yourself is helpful. Ask for feedback on what parts people found most interesting. Part of the trouble I have is making sure people understand - without treating them like children.
Having a verbose vocabulary is relatively useless. Unless you need the fancier word to describe something with greater accuracy - or it is important to your field. You want to be understood by the vast majority of your audience.
Oh yeah - and you are safe mentioning the Hitler thing with us - but dont ever mention that to a stranger in public. They will think you are crazy. I get what you are saying, but there really isn’t anything to be learned there (that you can’t learn elsewhere) - unless you are trying to stir up hatred. Even then - you are probably better off going with newer sources.
Body language and facial expressions - record yourself and see what you are doing.
Hitler’s ratty voice didn’t seem to limit his ability to get folks to listen up.
It sounds like you just don’t have any presence, and I doubt you can rustle up any, even though practice might improve your skills a bit.
I recommend pursuing an alternate dream. It’s one of those deals where, if you have to reach out for help, you probably don’t have the raw talent to succeed in any significant way.
You’re in college? There should be at least one debate team. Have you looked at any of the communications offerings?
If you want modern, approachable demagoguery, tune into right-wing radio. Rush is the giant and standard, but there are plenty of other approaches ranging from more to less confrontational. In addition to higher oratory skills, you’ll hear all sorts of rhetorical and logistical gymnastics. If you pay attention you can hear the contortions taking place and can marvel at the overt manipulation.
Dude, I teach public speaking, and 1) Hitler as an example has poisoned the well for good for you. As far as I am concerned, you are either a Nazi, White Supremacist or some other brand of asshole who thinks they have The Truth and want to foist it off on others. But in case you aren’t…it takes years to be even passable at extemporaneous speaking. Most of the stuff you think is off the cuff is massively rehearsed.
Hitler didn’t improvise his speeches. He practiced extensively. Not just the words he was going to say but the gestures he would make and the facial expressions he would use. He’d practice in front of mirrors and study films and tape recordings of his speeches.
And the bat shit craziness was there right from the start.