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Speaking Tips

The Dynamics of Speech

Maria Grazia Repetto

To make a good speech, do you also need to know how to write properly?

Do you need to know how to spell the words you are going to say, or is it enough to know how they
sound?

Do you think you need to punctuate your speech correctly to give meaning to your sentence, or do
you not need it, and do you pause when you think it’s right?

Is it necessary to write the speech you want to give, or is it a waste of time?

Maybe there are people who must write and memorize what they want to say.

Maybe there are others who prefer to be free to improvise. I wonder if
knowing how to write well is necessary in both cases?

I attended (for a very short time) a Toastmasters group where we learned
how to present our speeches on TV, and how to prepare for two types of
interviews. In the first type, the interviewer was friendly and did not try to
confuse or hinder you. In the second type, the interviewer was the enemy and
tried in every way to belittle you, to support his own thesis.

Those who chose to give a speech and be filmed live were asked for a written
copy of the speech they would give. The speaker was not allowed to change
a single word. The speaker had to come prepared and give the speech he had
learned by heart in the previous days.

In the case of an interview, the speaker should have contacted the interviewer
in advance and agreed on the topics to be covered and the questions to be
asked. The speaker must also be ready in case the interviewer went off script
and attacked the speaker and their position. Those rules were challenging yet
exciting. It is fascinating to study the techniques needed to make a powerful
speech. Of course, you must have a clear idea of what you want to say and
a lot of experience. It takes courage, commitment, and the ability to handle unexpected events and
interruptions.

I later moved to Vancouver, WA where I joined a smaller vibrant group, Speakers with Spirit

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