Public Speaking

I have mentioned in the past that reading and writing go hand in hand and that is largely true. Speaking is another way of communicating. I can be poetry, a speech, an opinion, or just communication between two friends.

One thing the speaker wishes to convey is what he/she wants for us to understand. I have spoken out in public a few times in my life. I always find necessary to write down what I want to say. I used to write down a speech then read from it when I was in high school. However, it stunted my ability to communicate in a natural tone to the audience. Instead I wrote down an outline of the high points I wanted to cover. I still do research and have a written speech or commentary. I find that speaking from my heart with the outline as a guide is more to my liking.

Speaking in public actually invigorates me. I get the butterflies in my stomach but I use it to my advantage. I think of my audience to be knowledgeable and intelligent. Trying to pull one over on them is insulting. That's why I spend time researching and making sure my facts are straight. I enjoy speaking in public because they see a live person who has something to say. I pray that the words will encourage, stir, and spark them to go beyond what they think they cannot do. The words can be firy or subtle, simple or compelling. Either way it is communicating to the masses.