Introduction
It is very awkward when we have to talk to a stranger or deliver a speech and we can’t seem to find the words to say. It is embarrassing because most times when this happens, we have practiced what to say in our heads. But when the moment comes to do the deed, the words don’t come out well. And so, another opportunity to speak publicly crashes and burns. Let us know how to become more Articulate and the list of things you can do to make your speeches more articulate in this article.
So, the question to tackle is how we can be more articulate in any kind of speech, discussion, or talk. Read on as we answer this.
How to become more Articulate?
If you want to be better at speaking, whether because you want to get more friends, talk more in class discussions, prepare for an interview, or just want to ask a girl you like out, below are actions you can take to get better at speaking. However, note that while we would cover several things here, this list is by no means an exhaustive list of things you can do to make your speeches more articulate.
List of things you can do to make your speeches more articulate
Increase your vocabulary
Many times, we struggle because we don’t know what words to use. So, increasing your vocabulary is a great place to start. Through this, you can have more words to use, rather than repeating words in a speech. Also, we discover new words to use in explaining ideas we have in our heads. This may take time, but if you stick to it, you will be all the better at it.
You can do this by reading books or watching movies. It is funny how many times we learn more words from watching movies and reading novels than in school. Not that you should neglect school learning, but this is just to say that you shouldn’t confine your words’ search to school. So, go out, explore, read books and watch movies. Books can help you learn new words while movies would help with their pronunciation.
You can try this. Every time you hear or read a new word, write it down. Check out its meaning later and research the contexts it can be used. You could be deliberate about learning up to five words every day. You just have to be disciplined about it
Do away with filler words
Many times, when we are lost on what to say, we unconsciously start to use words or phrases like “You Know”, “Umm..”, or “I mean”. The issue is that we don’t even know when we say them. In a 20-word sentence, we have said “Umm” or “You know” at least five times without even knowing it. These words and phrases lessen the impact of whatever we were saying and they irritate your audience.
To remove this issue, you have to monitor yourself while speaking. Be conscious of whenever you are about to use the fillers. Get friends or people to help monitor and correct your filler words usage. Another thing you can do is pause when you find yourself about to use these words. This will be discussed next.
Speak slowly and learn to pause
Many times, when we speak publicly, we are hit with the subconscious need to rush through and speak words every single second. But that is just a disaster waiting to happen. This need to speak every second is what makes us use word fillers. So, to give more articulate speeches, it is a good idea to speak slowly and take pauses to let yourself calm down and let your brain catch up with your mouth.
Furthermore, speaking slower can help you enunciate well. Also, using pauses helps us emphasize something we said or will say. A good pause in a speech can help show your audience the gravity of something you just said. So, in between a speech, speak slowly and learn to pause. Of course, you don’t speak so slowly that you bore your audience and put them to sleep. You don’t want that.
Interestingly, you find stand-up comedians using pauses to great effect. Many times, a joke hits hard because of a pause that was well placed.
Change your tone, pitch, and volume at the right moments
No one wants to listen to a robotic speaker. We hate hearing someone just drone on and on and not even make his speech exciting. Some of the best speeches are those that have the listeners at the edge of their seats panting for more. So, to ever match that level of speech artistry and articulation, learn to switch tones at the right in your speech. Know when to raise your voice and speak softly. Know when to increase the tempo and talk slowly to let the message sink in. Training yourself in these things can help you kindle the right emotions in your listeners.
So, for that speech you want to deliver, try practicing this in front of a mirror or front of your family. This will make it easier to do in front of a larger crowd.
Learn from the greats
There are so many great speakers out there. We have the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Winston Churchill. Learn from them. The internet is filled with clips of these people delivering powerful speeches. Learn from their body language and imitate them. There are also books written by good orators. You can read these books to improve your skills.
Listen to yourself
In preparing for a speech, you could try practicing and recording yourself. Listening to this recording, no matter how awkward you find it, would help you pinpoint areas you need to work on. In listening, you find out where your pronunciation was off, where you misused a word, if you are using ambiguous words, and much more. When you find these lapses, you can work on correcting them.
Practice confidence
Yes, it is scary to speak to new people or a crowd. But you can learn to be confident when doing so. Straighten your back and look people in the eyes, of course, not to the extent it is considered rude. The point is that even if you are scared, you can still learn to move past it.
When you speak fearfully, your words become jumbled. Confidence when speaking, no matter the setting, helps you speak clearly.
So, there you have it, tips for getting better at articulation. However, we must know that we can’t practice day-to-day conversations the same way we do for speeches. What we can do is be deliberate about using these techniques in conversations we have with other people.
Conclusion
We all want to deliver crowd-electrifying speeches like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey. However, most of us are stuck with the fear of speaking publicly or even to strangers. In this article, we have highlighted some techniques for becoming more articulate. Once again, this list isn’t all there is to better speech articulation.
So, it is time to get the ball rolling. Start your journey today to better speech articulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What Are The Pros Of Better Articulation?
Being highly articulate in a speech shows that you are competent and you understand what you are talking about. This makes people want to listen to you which is a great confidence booster.
2.How Do I Stop Stammering While Talking?
One way you can help yourself is by slowing down while talking and speaking words clearly. You could also look into therapies that can help.
