Public Speaking

This week was wonderful, and I will sit down and blog about the week as a whole.  For now, I wanted to write about something this week brought back.

My love for public speaking is second only to singing.  This week reminded me of my enthusiasm for communication.  There are many things I love about public speaking; it is an opportunity to perform, communicate, and react. 

I have taken two public speaking classes.  The first was a "Junior Toastmaster's", and was for high school students.  Being the over-acheiver 5th grader I was, I enrolled, more or less enthusiastic.

I made no friends.  It was embarrassing and awkward to be the youngest; no one talked to me, and I didn't branch out.  I regret this somewhat, but on the other hand, it gave me the opportunity to focus on my speaking and to be critical of the speaking, without letting personal friendships get in the way of my scrutiny.  I dropped out of that class a little later on, but only because the instruction was bad and I had already surpassed most of the high-schoolers.

I wrote all my speeches word-for-word.  I recently reread my first speech.  A little awkward, but well-organized.  If anything, this class got rid of any stage fright I had to begin with.  Which was not much.

The second class I took was a smaller, more rigorous and directed course.  It was taught by a college professor.  I loved it and thrived.  She talked about the aspects of communication, and taught me how to organize my speeches.  We spoke from notecards, not written-out speeches.  This is where my love of speaking started. 

Even after the class, I disliked impromptu speeches and preferred persuasive and informative.  Over time, I've grown to enjoy the thrill of impromptu.  I've used this skill many times, and have gotten good at it.  I still enjoy crafting and nit-picking, but impromptu speaking holds a special place in my heart.

Public speaking is performing.  It is acting.  It usually means being someone other than yourself.  I love it.

Music and public speaking are similar.  Both have to do with communication. 

Music has been called the universal language.  If you play the "Waldstein Sonata", you will play it the same anywhere in the world, and the same goes for any piece of music without words(disregarding any anti-Nazi/Wagner/ type stuff).  As a general rule, people will not be offended.  In a small sense, music is almost the universal culture. 

However, if you are promoting a product or presenting a report on a president, then your speech will change.  It must change according to the culture.  Communication is key; it is the goal of public speaking. 

You can also adapt to your audience on a smaller level.  A valuable skill of a public speaker is to gauge their audience's reaction and change their presentation accordingly.

Everything about public speaking appeals to me.  I am the first to agree to present something I believe in, and this skill has proved invaluable.  This week reminded me of this area of my life that I have let fall to the wayside.  I will be looking out for more opportunities to speak.