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tips to be more eloquent

31 replies

user168979082 · 11/03/2021 15:06

Looking for tips on how to be more eloquent in conversation (both privately with family and public forums, for instance at work, on panels and public speaking). I read a lot and have made an effort to improve vocabulary etc. I find that I just don't have the correct words at the tip of my tongue and am not good at storytelling.

Anyhow, any tips appreciated. The people you think are eloquent, what makes them so? And how do you think that can be achieved?
Thanks

OP posts:
ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 12/03/2021 21:19

That's fascinating, Tina.

I used to get criticised for interrupting - oh to see ourselves as others see us, eh?

TinaTurnoff · 12/03/2021 21:55

@ICouldHaveCheckedFirst

That's fascinating, Tina.

I used to get criticised for interrupting - oh to see ourselves as others see us, eh?

I’m definitely holding my hands up on that. I have to watch back a lot of my meetings for minutes/actions, and I hated seeing myself nudging my way in but it was a learning experience. It has taught me to better prepare what I’m going to say, and I know it’s basic etiquette but I was shamefully lacking.
junebirthdaygirl · 12/03/2021 22:10

Check out Toastmasters. Usually brilliant at giving opportunities to improve but due to Covid is mostly on Zoom now. When lockdown ends definitely look it up. I have seen people who were completely inhibited turn into fine speakers. You can even practice your work speeches there. Highly recommend it.

Peckhampalace · 12/03/2021 22:18

I have had a little training on talking in a work environment, both to individuals and rooms. Three things stick with me:

  • listen to others
  • structure what you are saying into two or three things and tell them what you are going to tell them (I am going to tell you how to make a cake) the substance (mix xyz) tell them what you told them (we made chocolate cake). It sounds dull but it helps order your thoughts and helps others hear you
  • Kennedy sweep...pause, make eye contact, talk more slowly...you sound authoritative and people pay attention.
Graphista · 13/03/2021 00:23

You need to read Literature (big L right?) and not just literature (little l) - Pulitzer is not necessarily quality in terms of the style of writing, often it's based more on the content.

I would say you need to read more of the "classics" by which I mean those books popularly referred to as classics but which aren't in the true sense. Plus modern writers of literary fiction, essayists, poets and speeches

My own personal favourites:

Austen
Dickens
Bronte sisters
James Joyce (notoriously tricky but try the Dubliners to start with)
Orwell (but I would say not animal farm as that's quite deliberately simplistic in its language)
Arthur Conan Doyle is superlative at expressing himself in few but well chosen words
Dh Lawrence
Jonathan swift - gullivers travels is a delight but also take a look at his essays (I especially like a modest proposal - odd that it was written by someone who would become a Tory really) and his poetry

Poetry I'd steer away from more prescriptive forms and look more at free verse forms Walt Whitman And maya Angelou are my own favourites

F Scott fitgzgerald (start with gatsby as it's a fairly easy read but then move on to other works)

But also the genuine classics - which are less easy to digest true, but seriously learn the building blocks of speaking eloquently, debating persuasively and commanding attention for the right reasons. Look at Cicero, Pericles, Demosthenes...

Listen to and watch great speeches made by great orators, and debators, I actually think more the debators as they're having to think on their feet and respond carefully, notice not only what they DO say but what they DON'T - how they control themselves, use body language etc speeches are good but they're honed and prepared sometimes for months so it's not a natural way of speaking necessarily but good for building vocabulary.

For speedy, witty responses check out Oscar Wilde, Shakespearean comedies, PG Wodehouse and similar

Do you sing? It's very good for training the physical aspects of speaking, breathing and controlling the diaphragm, vocal chords and breathing - and timing!

To be truly articulate does take practice (record and critique yourself, ask trusted others to watch/listen and critique) learning the correct techniques (tons of articles online plus videos and tutorials but choose wisely) and building confidence (nobody starts off confident - fake it till you make it).

Charles11 · 13/03/2021 00:29

Listening to radio 4, Ted talks and podcasts with eloquent speakers helps me.

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