The history of the world has already met dozens of specialists in oratory, whose speeches we still remember. The most recent geniuses of this art were Hitler, Khrushchev and other politicians who carried out propaganda performances. More often than not, it is politicians who provide an example of how to properly turn ordinary speech into something more, an element of history. You should know that writing texts for speeches brings money, because the topic of the speech can be any, including making money.
But it is not always the case. For example, the last “powerful” speech was given by Steve Jobs in 2005, and it was not a presentation of a new product. Through oratory, he encouraged Stanford University students to strive for their dreams and to look for opportunities in life's failures. Using speech techniques, Jobs touched on vital topics, winning over the audience, and the speech went down in history.
For some, this is a hobby, while others study elocution so that the presentation will receive the highest marks and be useful.
Excerpt from the main part of Steve Jobs' speech
“Sometimes life hits you over the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved it. You need to find what you love. And this is as true for work as it is for relationships. Your work will fill most of your life, and the only way to be completely satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great things is to love what you do. If you haven't found your business yet, look for it. Do not stop. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know it when you find it. And like any good relationship, it gets better and better over the years. So search until you find it. Do not stop".
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't fall into the trap of dogma that tells you to live in other people's thoughts. Don't let the noise of other people's opinions drown out your inner voice. And most importantly: have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you really want to become. Everything else is secondary.” “Stay hungry. Stay reckless."
If you analyze any speech of Steve Jobs, you will notice that it resembles a conversation - it is very understandable, natural and relaxed. Constant pauses, which are an integral part of speech, add emotionality to the text.
Despite the fact that this speech is considered one of the best delivered in modern times, some experts believe that Jobs lacks the correct gestures and body movements and the speech is not the limit of oratory. But we should not forget that for this person this was not an activity, rather it was a hobby and responsibilities as the owner of the company. By the way, the presentation of new technology always looked very exciting.
Who, comrades judges, feeds you?
History knows many cases of such original performances. Even in literature you can find good examples of oratory speeches that can be used to teach this art. Thus, in A. M. Gorky’s novel “Mother,” the convicted Pavel Vlasov spoke at the court hearing. He was convicted under a political article and refused to carry out the escape prepared by his comrades only in order to make a speech in front of the large people who had gathered at the trial.
His speech was full of refrains, where he spoke on behalf of the people, but the main “highlight” of the speech was the climax: “How can you destroy the workers, those who feed you, comrade judges?” It costs a lot to create such a speech.
What does oratory consist of?
If the topic of eloquence is a hobby for you, then you don’t need to delve too deeply into the intricacies, but you should know the main components of a good speech.
- Preparation. The key to a successful performance directly depends on your preparation for it. The clothes in which the performance will take place require careful selection.
It is important for a girl not to wear a lot of makeup and have a modest appearance. This will position the audience and will not distract attention.
It is important for men to look neat and ironed. Show success and confidence, otherwise the listener may simply not attach due importance to the words.
You need to pay attention to elements depending on your audience. After all, for businessmen, money and the high cost of style will be an important element. For schoolchildren or students, a simpler and more relaxed look is suitable.
- Introduction. You can start with a life story or an unusual phrase that should hook the listener. This technique is called a "hook". The Steve Jobs speech we talked about above had a hook in the form of a joke.
Always use pauses between main parts of speech. This helps you digest what was said and at the same time you can see people's reactions.
The art of oratory is based on the ability to draw images, but only the right images. It has to be something that can be specifically represented, and if it involves numbers, then it needs to be used on slides or translated into something that can be visually measured.
- Main part. Of course, there are no specific rules for the main part, but a couple of tips can be given. Break up your speech in a logical way so that it is clear where you transition into another part of the speech.
Don’t make your speech a monologue, otherwise the listeners will simply get bored and feel like guests. Ask rhetorical or direct questions, draw someone from the audience into a conversation, or call them on stage. Ask to do some task. Speak with energy.
- Conclusion. You can end your speech with a beautiful phrase or take a step back. There is no need to drag out the conclusion and say something else.
You can emphasize the main thing from the speech and begin to lower the tone at the end. Then everyone will understand that the performance is over. The art of concisely and clearly ending a speech requires mandatory practice.
- Personal examples and stories. Now it is difficult to surprise with some facts or insert into the text of the main part something completely new for the target audience.
Therefore, personal stories are on a par with pauses and images in the fundamentals of the art of successful speaking. Let's say if you are a businessman, then it would be good to tell how you made your first money. By telling a story from your life, you bring the viewer closer to you, giving you the opportunity to imagine themselves in your place. And if you write your speech correctly, then you can integrate key points into the story and convey the necessary information to the viewer.
Muscles
Once the speaker has decided on the basic structure of his speech, it is necessary to build muscle on this “skeleton”. What could they consist of?
- You can use vivid examples from life or literature, the main thing is that they correspond to the main topic.
- To help the listener visually consolidate the information received, it is worth preparing graphs, slides, pictures, videos, etc.
- You can ask the audience a question during the speech, this will help keep the audience's attention on the main topic.
Money as the goal of oratory
Currently, trainings and seminars discussing the topic of how to make money have flooded the Internet. In fact, the Internet contributed to this. It opened up opportunities for earning money, and therefore for learning. After all, before, the main source of independent learning was the book.
An example of millionaires' speeches at universities or online seminars on the Internet - all this relates to business topics where the main goal is to make money. The purpose of these speeches is to motivate the listener, charge them with emotions and the desire to do something. All this is driven by the desire to have a lot of money and be independent. A good way to convert knowledge of oratory into money is to open a school for the practice and study of eloquence.
Correct solution
You can give a speech on any topic. Examples of public speaking are easy to find in print and other media. Typically, speakers address important social, political and economic issues. Recently, it has become fashionable to give training on ways to make money on the Internet, present various training programs, or draw attention to advertising campaigns. Sometimes speakers conduct psychological trainings, discuss religion or philosophy. But no matter what the speaker talks about, his main goal is to captivate the audience.
A speaker is not a person who professionally manipulates pathetic speeches, but one who is able to conduct a simultaneous dialogue with thousands of listeners. He must speak the language of the people who listen to him, understand their problems, find common ground and skillfully lead them to making the right decision.
Judicial speech
Judicial speech as a genre came to us from ancient Greece. Due to population growth, politicians studied oratory, and judicial speech was of great importance at that time. A politician's fate could be decided by his ability to speak in public. In Greece, training in this skill took place and they paid a lot of money for it.
Since in the courts at that time everyone had to defend himself, citizens who had money paid logographers for the text, and judicial speech allowed them to avoid punishment.
A judicial speech, like any other, consisted of an introduction, a main part and a conclusion. The man thus tried to pity the judges and make them believe that his judicial speech was not fictitious.
Judicial practice in ancient times was the property of the people, and many people gathered at the trial, so it was problematic to speak without proper preparation.
Judicial speech as a genre takes place and develops in modern times and can bring money to professionals. All prosecutors and lawyers prepare the text of their speech in advance; this is what distinguishes a good lawyer. To make a judicial speech impress the judge and jury, rhetorical techniques are used.
Suitable or not?
This sample public speaking text follows all the rules. Such a short speech fully reveals the topic of the video presentation on the YouTube channel. It tells about the participants, the location of the interview, the questions that were raised and the general mood that was present during the conversation.
At the end of the press release, the speaker invites listeners to watch the full version of the video. Although the ending can be supplemented with one more sentence or two, saying that the interview turned out to be successful and informative for everyone.
Example of Lincoln's speech
In 1863, a few months after the bloody battle, Lincoln delivered the famous Gettysbury Address. There is no need to talk about oratory and the attitude towards professional rhetoric; there simply wouldn’t be enough room for techniques. But the text written by Lincoln made tears flow and touched the soul
The public speech lasted only about two minutes, but history will not forget these two minutes. As a result, this speech was carved on a monument at the Lincoln Memorial.
“Eighty-seven years have passed since our fathers founded on this continent a new nation, born of freedom, and dedicated to proving that all men are born equal.”
“We are now undergoing the great test of civil war, which will decide whether this nation, or any nation like it by birth or calling, is able to stand. We came together on the field where the great battle of this war raged. We have come to consecrate a part of this land - the last refuge of those who gave their lives for the life of this nation. And this in itself is quite appropriate and worthy.”
“But still it is not in our power to consecrate this field, to make it sacred, to spiritualize this land. Thanks to the deeds of the brave men, dead and alive, who fought here, this land is already sacred, and it is not in our humble power to add or subtract anything. What we say here will be only briefly noticed and soon forgotten, but what they did here will never be forgotten. Let us, the living, devote ourselves to the unfinished work that these warriors accomplished here. Let us dedicate ourselves here to the great work that lies ahead of us, and become even more determined to give ourselves to the purpose to which those who fell here gave themselves wholly and to the end. Let us solemnly swear that their deaths will not be in vain, that this God-protected nation will have its freedom restored, and that the government of the people, by the will of the people, for the people will not perish from the face of the earth.”
Historians say that Lincoln decided to write the text for his speech himself, taking as a basis the principle of equality from the Declaration of Independence and relying on the great figures of the past. According to eyewitnesses, the performance was so strong that it made the people believe that all the sacrifices were not in vain, and they were not fighting against other states, but were fighting for the freedom of the people and the future of their native state. Just one text allowed people to unite as a family to resist the enemy.
Alexander I
To be effective, speech must be precise and expressive. And these may not always be large amounts of text. You can get your point across with a few strong sentences and vivid comparisons. For example, Alexander I’s public speech to the French ambassadors even before the start of the war sounded as follows:
“Here is small Europe, and this is big Russia (he shows all this on the map). In case of failure, you can retreat only to Paris, and I can run to the edge of Kamchatka! But at the same time, every meter of this land will be hostile to you, even the women will not stop fighting. Russia may lose some battles, but it will never be defeated.”
To say that the ambassadors left under the impression is an understatement. An example of the text of a public speech by Tsar Alexander I amazes readers today. There is not a drop of arrogance here, just facts served with the right “sauce.”
Example of Chaplin's text
Charlie Chaplin's speech test is called in Russian translation “How I fell in love with myself” and has become our history and the main speech of a person. He said it on his seventieth birthday.
True, there are rumors that in fact the example text could have been written by fans from Brazil. There is no clear evidence that this is the work of Charlie Chaplin, nor is there clear evidence of forgery.
Despite this, the speech on the topic of self-love turned out great and deserves attention - an example that can be used for your own purposes.
“As I began to love myself, I realized that sadness and suffering are only warning signs that I am living against my own truth. Today I know that it is called “BEING YOURSELF.”
When I fell in love with myself, I realized how much you can offend someone if you impose on him the fulfillment of my own desires, when the time has not yet come, and the person is not yet ready, and this person is myself. Today I call it “SELF-RESPECT”.
When I fell in love with myself, I stopped wanting a different life, and suddenly I saw that the life that surrounds me now provides me with every opportunity for growth. Today I call it “MATURITY”.
As I began to love myself, I realized that no matter what the circumstances, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at exactly the right moment. I can always be calm. Now I call it “SELF CONFIDENCE.”
As I began to love myself, I stopped stealing my own time and dreaming about big future projects. Today I only do what brings me joy and makes me happy, what I love and what makes my heart smile. I do it the way I want and at my own pace. Today I call it SIMPLICITY.
When I fell in love with myself, I freed myself from everything that harms my health - food, people, things, situations. Everything that brought me down and took me away from my own path. Today I call it “SELF-LOVE.”
When I began to love myself, I stopped always being right. And that’s when I started making fewer and fewer mistakes. Today I realized that this is “HUMILITY”.
When I fell in love with myself, I stopped living in the past and worrying about the future. Today I live only in the present moment and call it “SATISFACTION”.
When I began to love myself, I realized that my mind could interfere with me, that it could even make me sick. But when I was able to connect him to my heart, he immediately became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART.”
We no longer need to be afraid of disputes, confrontations, problems with ourselves and with other people. Even stars collide, and new worlds are born from their collisions. Today I know that this is “LIFE”.
