The art of public speaking Antonella Cornici1 Public speaking = speaking in public is truly the art of giving a speech, of communicating and convincing the public. Speaking in public means usually giving an official live speech, either for one person or for a large group of people. This speech is based on a series of elements that have, in fact, a role of improvement and motivation. Public speaking is an art which began almost 2500 years ago, in Athens, where one of the greatest orators was Aristotle with his famous book Rethoric. Aristotle discovered that in order to gather people around an idea, you must first convince them. This is what he called rethoric = the capacity to convince people. This rethoric is based on three strategies: Ethos, Pathos and Logos. These strategies are also valid nowadays and they catch the attention of the public. We are what we are repeatedly do; Therefore, excellence is not a singular act, but a habit – Aristotle. Key words: public speaking, orator, speech, communication, education University lecturer dr., “George Enescu” National University of Arts of Iasi, Romania, antonellacornici@yahoo.com 1 1 Speaking in public is a way of giving a live, organized speech to an audience in order to inform, entertain and convince it. There are many ways of speaking in public, starting from picking a subject and writing a speech to giving a response to the audience’s questions. Public speaking is usually an official live speech, either for one person or for a large group of people. There are five basic elements for public speaking: • • • • • Communicator Message Environment Audience Effect Public speaking can have the purpose of giving information, telling a story, motivating people to act or a mix of all of these. The study of public speaking began about 2500 years ago, in ancient Athens. Men were asked to give speeches as part of their civic duties. These speeches were given at the legislative assembly and at the court (sometimes just for defending themselves because the common Athenian had no lawyers). Citizens were meeting each other in the piazza and they were debating war, economic and political issues. Aristotle and the Rhetoric Aristotle is one of the most famous ancient scholars who have studied public speaking. Without doubt mankind would have been poorer without the great contribution that Aristotle had made throughout his life. Aristotle was one of the most important philosophers of ancient Greece, a classic of universal philosophy, an encyclopedic spirit, founder of peripatetic school and political science as independent science. He founded areas of philosophy and created a method for them such as Metaphysics, formal Logic, Rhetoric or Ethics. 2 We are what we are repeatedly do; Therefore, excellence is not a singular act, but a habit – Aristotle. Aristotle discovered that in order to gather people around an idea, you must first convince them. This is what he called rethoric and it means a capacity to convince people. Aristotle’s rethoric has three strategies: - Ethos – it’s being used when the source is credible and the speaker can show authority over the subject. - Logos – it is used when there are facts that support the argument that needs the audience to use logic and decide over the power of the speaker’s argument. - Pathos – it is used for emotional calling in order to obtain the audience’s acceptance. Public speaking is based on Aristotle’s strategies which are valid nowadays. Ethos, Pathos and Logos are ways of convincing and catch the public’s attention. The Ethos – consists in convincing the audience of the speaker’s good character and also of being credible, therefore, words can be trusted. The Ethos has to be set from the beginning of the discussion, otherwise the audience won’t accept the speech. There are four main characteristics of the Ethos: - Trust and respect Resemblance to the audience Authority Expertise and reputation/history The Pathos – it’s about convincing the public in an emotional way. As a speaker, if you intend to make the audience feel the same things as you regarding a specific subject, you have to emotionally connect to this audience and influence it. 3 The Logos – it’s about using logic counting on the public’s intelligence and offering proofs that can support your argument. In brief: Ethos Pathos Logos Credibility and personal character Emotional connection with the audience Logical and rational argument In the 21st century, we have to communicate in a productive way in order to succeed, whether it’s about getting a job or gaining an important contract. We are often asked to speak in public, at a conference, during business meetings, after being awarded, while teaching in class and on many other occasions. It started to be a hard thing to avoid public speaking at events because communication skills have become very important. Genevieve Aichele2 says that “a lot of us suppose that powerful public speakers are just born with a natural gift. Although, even if it’s true that some people have greater communication skills than others, anyone could improve these skills through acting techniques. These acting techniques can help you prepare your speech in a way that uses movement and visuals in order to make the content look better.” 1. Upstage and Downstage Downstage – the front area of the stage is the closest to the audience. It gives a powerful position and therefore it’s the best located for giving a speech. Upstage – it’s the backstage area, theatrically speaking. It is not recommended for a speech because its position is far more distant from the audience. 2 Performer, director, professor, playwright, director of New Hampshire Theatre Project. He teached performing arts and public speaking at the University of New Hampshire and Great Bay Community College. He’s an affiliated consultant at The Woodland Group and Brown Center at UNH and he worked with various clients regarding presentation skills, public speaking, business stories, conflict-solving, team management and leadership. 4 2. Stage Right and Stage Left Both in American theatre and in English theatre these two spots refer to the actor’s (speaker’s) point of view. Stage right is seen by the western public as a place of importance and intimacy. A possible explanation for this could be the fact that we read from left to right. Love scenes and monologues in theatre shows are usually placed in this area (stage right). Public speakers use this spot when they want their speech to have a powerful emotional impact or just to point a specific moment in their speech. Downstage Left or Stage Left is considered to be the conspiracy area, a place for secrets and theatre discussions. Humor is usually very well integrated in this position. 3. Think like an actor Actors are never “wandering” on stage. They have a clear direction, their movements have meaning and highlight a certain moment. There is no improvisation. It is important for a public speaker not showing himself in an improvised and chaotic way, but with certain movements and a clearly defined way during the speech. 4. Think like a Director The public speaker must always see the stage from the public’s point of view, as a director. Therefore, in order to organize a conference, a speech or a meeting regarding how is it going to look, it must be taking into account the audience’s perspective. Also, it can’t be used massive, tall furniture items. There is a saying in the theatre: “it cuts off the image”. For example, a public speaker behind a tall table is something that won’t benefit his speech. In this case, the audience will see the half of an image, a “cut” one. Whatever we are exposing to the public has to benefits the speaker who’s going to give the speech. Nowadays, open spaces, simple furniture items, projection screens and lights are preferred. 5 Important public speakers: Socrates was always being accused of crimes and corruption of young Athenian people and he had to choose: to apologize to the complainers for his crimes or to reformulate their accusations and create a complete defense for the sake of truth, giving no apology. Marcus Tullius Cicero – the roman politician and lawyer who came from a rich family was considered one of the greatest Rome’s orators. He introduced romans to the main schools of Greek philosophy and he created a Latin philosophical vocabulary, being distinguished as a linguist, translator and philosopher. Winston Churchill was the first English prime minister during World War II. In 1953, Churchill received the Nobel Prize in Literature, mostly for his speeches. “Of all talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory.” John F. Kennedy served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 to 1963. His speeches were very powerful and inspirational. His “We choose to go to the Moon” speech is being considered one of the most influential speeches consisting in convincing the Americans to go on an expedition to the Moon. Adolf Hitler was catching the attention of millions of people while he was speaking. Hitler was very aware of the fact that the mastery of public speaking was crucial in his political career and he was preparing himself for hours, rehearsing his speeches. Hitler is an example of leadership who took advantage of his oratory skills, using them as a war powerful weapon and causing the death of millions of people. It is necessary to remember that as public speakers we have the ethical obligation to use the power of speaking in public to spread kind, helpful ideas to the people. Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist who fought against racism. He always believed in lack of violence and respect for humankind, regardless the color, race or belief. His most famous speech, I have a dream, was being heard by millions of people when he was saying it. Due to his powerful message, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997. Abraham Lincoln – in 1863 November 19th, Abraham Lincoln was giving his most famous speech and, probably, one of the greatest speeches which have ever 6 been given. The Gettysburg Address lasted only two minutes, but it had a strong impact. Margaret Thatcher was the first English lady being a prime minister. She used his public speaking skills in an aggressive way in order to win the elections and keep her position. Being called The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher was a conservative politician who had a strong influence on politics at the end of the Cold War years. In the foreign affairs she contributed on spreading the idea of free market, she fought against the Falkland war and addressed to the Northern Ireland problems. Lady Thatcher was well-known by her argumentative communication style. One of her best known catchphrase was during her speech at a conference in Brighton, in 1980, when she dared to defy the critics by saying: You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning. Leon Troțki was a Marxist revolutionary and the founder of Red Army. During the Russian Communist Revolution, he became famous for his intellect and passionate speeches. The secret of his charisma was the sincere belief regarding Marxist Communism ideals. After Lenin’s death, he was exiled to Mexico, where he was assassinated on Stalin’s orders. Ronald Regan was an actor from Hollywood and an American politician, governor of California, then later he became the 40th president of the United States. Due to his capacities of connecting to his audience, he was named The great communicator. The most fascinated speech he gave was Tear down this wall. This speech was being held at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in 1987 June 12th. During the speech, Ronald Regan dared Mihail Gorbaciov, the Soviet prime minister back then, to destroy Berlin Wall. Public speaking is a skill. It can be learnt. Some people can have a natural communication gift, some can have a pleasant voice and others are more charismatic. In conclusion, anyone could learn to be a better public speaker. The actor’s acting training is an efficient guide for a public speaker. The theatre techniques used in a drama school targets the mind, body and emotions. The acting training helps developing self-confidence, mastering your own resources and selfperception. All of these have the purpose to face the audience, to empathize with it, to convince it and, in the end, to win it over! 7 Selective bibliography: Internet sources: - https://www.italiaconvention.it/en/articles/theatre-techniques-a-gym-forpublic-speaking/ - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-public-speaking-lessons-from-theatremel-sherwood - https://www.ignitecsp.com/how-we-do-it/ - https://medium.com/hackernoon/dressing-for-the-stage-theatre-rules-apply90a29614ad67 - https://www.10xspeaker.com/10xspeaker-onlinecourse?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=fc&utm_te rm=ps&utm_content=ad1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwreT8BRDTARIsAJLI0KLEQu BgAukbbpZDEJuTB7ZJtbKgHwctgua4CT011cfzP_TZ9lJppMaAlSpEALw_wcB 8