Effective Communication Strategies in Public Speaking

Communication is a soft skill required at every phase of life. After all, we communicate every single day with our family, peers, co-workers, and even strangers. Communication is effective only if both the speaker and the listener understand the message conveyed concisely. 

effective communication

Two people's interpretations of one message can be different. Hence, if the speaker gets feedback from the listener, then it makes room for effective communication. 

In a classroom, the teacher interacts with students, and for effective communication to happen, students need to communicate back with the teacher. A student learns not merely through the curriculum but through interaction from teachers and peers. Communication is always a two-way street. Similarly, this foundation of communication is vital in all organizations, public speaking, and interpersonal relations. 

Here are some of the effective communication strategies required in public speaking-

 
  1. Audience Analysis & Active Listening:
    Whether in one-on-one interaction or addressing a speech, both the speaker and the listener need to pay attention while communicating. Both parties need to be free from preconceived notions before making any conclusion regarding the message being delivered and the message being heard. Analyzing the audience enables the speaker to understand the audience's interests and level of comprehension. The listener consequently has to reciprocate the message by acknowledging it to the speaker.
     
  2. Give More Emphasis on Clarity:
    Clarity begins in mind. The clarity of the speech can get hampered due to external reasons just as much as the internal ones. If the speaker is unable to convey the meaning due to the language barrier or mis-constructs the structure of thoughts, then the listener won't understand the content clearly. Unclear communication defies the very purpose of effective communication. So, keep the sentences in the speech short. Both the listener and the audience should keep a check from their sides if the conversation is clear. Also, keep a check on the voice modulation to know if the audience can hear you.

  3. Take Feedback:
    Feedback helps the speaker to understand if the message of the speech is understood by the listener or not. The speakers can improve their overall communication after getting feedback from the audience. Feedback should be polite, timely, and relevant. Taking feedback from the audience makes them feel included in the process.

  4. Be Persuasive:
    An effective speech is persuasive or informative, or both. The art of persuasion refers to presenting one's ideas and thoughts to influence the listener. When we are effectively communicating, we are indirectly persuading the listener. Can you persuade the audience in a compelling manner? One way to be persuasive is to add a personal touch while speaking. Make your speech easy to understand and hard to forget. It means you should be able to explain or talk in a manner that is concise and clear. Watch one of our public speaking students deliver persuasive speech. You will be left captivated by her speech and tone.
     
  5. Focus on Interpersonal Skills:
    Even though interpersonal skills may be more significant in 1:1 communication, the same can be applied in public speaking. It helps build the rapport between the audience and the speaker. Remaining neutral and respectful in terms of conflict, showing equal energy, being receptive, being aware of the body language, allowing the audience to speak are all interpersonal skills that increase the effectiveness in the communication.

  6. Use of Effective Body Language:
    Body language plays a key role in public speaking despite being a non-verbal form of communication. Using it effectively engages the audience, and makes the speaker look confident. Click here to read a detailed guide on body language and how you can use it effectively.

    effective communication strategies in public speaking

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Summary

Effective communication in public speaking can help overcome the common challenges faced while delivering and understanding the message of the speech. Become better at public speaking just by practicing effective communication strategies.

 98thPercentile is a growing e-learning company that offers online, live interactive after-school enrichment programs in Math, English (Reading & Writing), Coding, and Public Speaking for students of grades K-12. Our teaching methodology ensures overall academic development and our students go to the next grade within a span of 6 months. We offer free trial classes. Book today and have a great learning experience with us!