Check out this list of innocent signals that may be offending people you meet.
Category: Student Resources
The Impressions You Give Are (Mostly) Under Your Control
Much of our nonverbal interaction is automatic, but much is also under our control if we want to devote mental energy to improving our gestures and facial expressions.
The “Mouth” is Mightier than the Pen – research out of University of Chicago is profound!
This June 27, 2015 article from The New York Times reports a fascinating study conducted by Dr. Nicholas Epley, a behavioral scientist from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. He writes, “The closest you ever get to another person’s mind is through their mouth.” This brief article is worth a thorough read in order to understand the importance of spoken language (vs. text-based communication) in business and in life. Dr. Epley’s findings show that we sound smarter than our thoughts look.
Breath Control – Can it make you SOUND more persuasive?
Harvard Business Review’s recent article asserts that good breath support is the key to more persuasive public speaking. It reminds us that the way we sound will impact the way we are heard. So many simple tips that will help any speaker!
Vocal Fry continued – Beware Women Pursuing Job Prospects
The way we use our voices, let alone the words we speak, matters to those who must hear and evaluate us. This article in The Atlantic explores the idea of confidence and clarity as they are projected in a well-supported voice. Fascinating audio examples included!
Even Billionaires Boost the Importance of Public Speaking – thank you, Mr. Branson!
In this Forbes article, billionaire Richard Branson makes it clear that public speaking is the #1 skill that all people need to practice and perfect if they wish to be standouts in their fields. Fun information included about the practices of Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno too.
Writing Campaign Speeches – great pointers!
Public Speaking 2 students take note!
This May 2000 article by James Snyder of the Heartland Institute has withstood the test of time. Snyder offers classic recommendations for any speech writing, especially for the campaign speech.
Rhetorical Devices – Learn to write for the EAR
Language is commonly written to be read. It must be used somewhat differently when we craft speeches because they need to be written for the EAR. Use this website to access rhetorical devices to help do just that. (Open, study, and apply the information in the sub-links.)
Vocal Fry – The New Epidemic
Beware female speakers that you don’t sound “fried.” Not only does this style of delivery seem insincere and affected, but speech pathologists will warn you of the damage that it is likely to cause to your vocal folds.
This short YouTube clip will demonstrate it perfectly!
“Up-speak” – Beware!
Taylor Mali demonstrates how un-authoritative we sound when we do not use inflection properly. Be ready to laugh!