Fluency in Public Speaking

Making Your Speech Flow

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Fluency is the quality of speaking so that words and thoughts flow from your mouth in a gentle stream.

Some of the verb synonyms of fluency are flow, run, and pour. Think of the words coming from your mouth in that fashion. It has to do with learning control.

Speech mastery would require learning how to have control of what we say and the way we present our message. Really, this is an essential aspect of speech mastery.

Lack of control can be described like a percolator, words bubbling up with brief interruptions groping for more words. At other times we may be lost for words when the kettle is dry. It results in out groping for what to say or how to say it.

It can happen to the best of speakers.

When a lack of this quality develops into a practice, public speaking becomes an impossibility.

What disrupts the natural flow? How can it be mastered?

Before looking at the reason for the lack, check out this most embarrassing situation. It is from Miss Teen USA 2007. When you consider this, remember that she was very courageous and she tried her best.

As you consider her best, what three things can you do to give your best? Come back and find out.

Lack of Fluency can Kill (your chances of winning.)

Why a Lack of Flow?

The cause of a lack of flow can be divided into three areas; mental preparation, speech preparation, and delivery.

Most of us can relate to or have seen or been in the need for mental preparation.

Have you ever know someone who is always groping for the right words to say. You find your self listening to painfully long explanations. When finished, if you were able to last that long, you summed it up by saying, you mean and then state it in one sentence.

At other times you will impatiently say, “can you get to the point.” (It is our hope that you said it kindly and prefaced it with please.)

They unfortunately are getting to the point. The solution and how to reprogram them can be learned by from a study of neuro-linguistic programming. The challenge faced is that they are trying to get to the point while expressing themselves. They are just not very good at it.

The Challenge

For now, if fluent speech is a challenge for you, force your self to identify with only 3-5 words what you want to say. Simplify what it is you want to express into it’s basic elements. It is the simplification process that will help you move to becoming a more fluent speaker.

Always look at what you say and think of how you could have said it simpler without compromising what you were saying.

Lack of a natural flow of speech can come from several causes that could be separated into three general areas.

1) Mental preparation problems often stem form the Use of Grammar.
A) It can include inadequate or improper use of punctuation.
B) A lack of understanding or misuse of the 8 parts of speech
C) Being unfamiliar with words.
D) Lack of clear thinking
E) Timidity and uncertainty

The resolutions of these challenges are simply education and or preparation.

2) In the Preparation of a Speech, the ability to be fluent can become a challenge. Why?
A) Not developing the material in a logical manner
B) Unfamiliar terminology
C) Weak vocabulary or use of words not commonly spoken
D) Poor word choice
E) Lack of preparation

The solution is better preparation and self education.

3) The third area where this public speaker skill could be lost is in the Delivery.
A) This could be due to a lack of preparation
B) Misuse of pausing
C) Improper use of sense stress.
D) Word whiskers

The solution lies in better preparation (practice) and or education.

Hopefully you see this is something anyone can master. Many of the 'How To' are discussed throughout the speech qualities section. Much of what you will learn and practice is synergistic.

Keep working on and mastering the flow of what you say. Speechmastey is yours to attain as a public speaker.

Word Whiskers are another way to lose the fluent flow of your speech. Learn more about them and how to avoid them.

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