How to Memorise a Speech

Speaking in front of people can be a daunting task. You have to stand alone in front of a group of people, and whilst everyone may be encouraging, you can still feel the nerves eating away at you from the inside out. If you do have trouble speaking in front of people, then you may like to read a very early post of mine: Dealing with Public Speaking.

For other people, speaking in front of others is as natural as breathing and they excel in the spotlight. Having a speech already prepared is a great aid, having a speech memorised though gives the appearance of professionalism and assurance, helping to convince the audience of what you're trying to convey.

However, even the people who are gifted at speaking in front of others can have a hard time memorising a speech, and memorising it to a point where you know you won't forget it whilst in the middle of delivering it.

1. Don't leave it until the night before

You will find posts that tell you that you can memorise a speech the night before, and for smaller speeches this may be true, however for longer speeches, you're not going to be able to get to a level where you can deliver it with the justice it deserves - unless you have an eidetic memory or something. :)

A lot of these websites that exclaim this feat will actually have some good and valid tips about how to memorise a speech, but for a lot of us - not in one night. If we hypothetically say though that we can memorise a whole speech in a night and then are able to deliver it on the day word-for-word; if we can do that in one night, imagine how much better we could get that speech by tackling it in plenty of time before - hopefully leaving everybody else speechless. :)

2. Read through it aloud

Make a point of reading through your speech aloud at a steady pace. This will allow you to get a handle on how to pronounce it and tweak things that will help you to sound less stiff and awkward. Having a better grasp on your speech and reading through it aloud will make the process of memorising all the easier easier.

3. Repetition

The only way you're going to be able to get the speech into your head and for it to stay there is by using repetition. Each time you read it you are re-familiarising yourself with it. Try to read through it aloud 5 or more times a day, every day. You could do one in the morning, one at midday, one in the afternoon, one in early evening, and one in the later evening. Before you know it, you'll be reading parts of it without needing the written version, and eventually won't need it all together. 

4. Memorise sections

If you have a small speech, then you will probably will be able to start memorising the whole thing. However, if you're faced with a ten-page essay - you will need to break it down to more manageable chunks. 

When you have a section that you want to memorise, you will need to read it out loud a number of times through the day (basically the same as point #3). However, what's different from point#3 is that after every time you've read the section, put it to one side and try to remember what you've just read. Try to get as far as you can and don't look. When you can't go any further (even if it's only two words in), pick up your section a re-read through it out loud again. 

Leave it after you've read through it a second time. Later on when you come to re-read it - repeat the whole process. After a day or two, you'll be seeing some results. This is why I said that it would be a good idea to start preparing for your speech ASAP.

5. Mnemonics

A great thing you can do to memorise not just a speech but anything in general, is to use the technique of mnemonics. Mnemonics sees you link something to the thing you're trying to memorise to make it easier to memorise. For example; pictures are often a popular mnemonic as the visual aid jogs the persons memory. You could use visual aid prompts for each section of your speech. Every time you are trying to memorise a section, have that picture in close view to look at, or have pictures in a presentation when you're delivering the speech to help you. You'll be surprised how well mnemonics work if done properly.

Some other types of mnemonics involve using: sounds, pictures, songs, prices, acronyms, stories, numbers, phrases, the method of loci, and much more. 

6. Write it out

This may sound like nonsense but writing your whole essay out will help you when trying to memorise, as long as you are concentrating on it whilst you're writing it out. It may take a while if you have a long speech, but writing it out will help your mind get to grips with it better and will give you a better knowledge of your speech. Some people's minds memorise things better when they write something down, so it's beneficial for them, but it's also beneficial for others also, it's just that bit more beneficial for them. :)

7. Memorise the structure

You don't have to memorise your speech word-for-word, only if you want to. Memorising the structure and layout of your speech is a far easier and quicker thing to do. Then after you've done this, as long as you have a quite in-depth knowledge of your speech and what's included in each part, then you can talk about it when you're in the moment. Of course it would be wise to rehearse it so you become at least familiar with this concept. If you do use this technique then you wont be as rigid when delivering it and it should hopefully be more spontaneous.   

8. Memory cards

Get yourself some cards that are large enough to write sections of your speech in bold clear writing but are yet small enough to fit inside a trouser pocket. At various points throughout the day take out these cards and read through them, trying to memorise them if possible. You can either memorise them word-for-word or just the general outline - whichever is better for you.

When you're performing your speech, you can use them as prompts for certain sections. You just need a quick glance down for you to have read a couple of words, and that should hopefully be enough to jog your memory and allow you to get going with your speech.     

How to Build your Vocabulary?

Why Build A Better Vocabulary?

Regardless of your age or intelligence, having a good vocabulary will help you to have a better understanding of certain academical situations.

You'll find it easier to express yourself, and easier to explain things to others in a clearer fashion. You'll feel comfortable with different social situations, not having to withdraw from the conversation because of a subject that's alien to you.

Having a great vocabulary is great for job interviews, in fact interviews in general.

It can very helpful when reading texts that are unfamiliar to you.

You can also use them for games such as boggle, scrabble, and the like.

When having a good vocabulary, and being familiar with long and difficult words, it can be really useful for speaking publicly. 

It might seem like junk to learn, but it will stick with you and help you in the future.

1. Read, Read, And Read Some More 

This is one of the best ways to get yourself familiar with a larger range of vocabulary. Most of the words in your vocabulary have been learnt through context, and by exposing yourself to as much vocabulary as your can - it can only get better.

When you do come across a word that you're unsure about, try to imagine what it means and then look it up in a dictionary. Just keep repeating this process and you'll be surprised how much your vocabulary can improve.

2. Monitor The Context 

As I said in point #1, most of the words you learn is by context. So whenever you hear a word that you're unfamiliar with, try to understand the context it was used in. The great thing about this is you just have to be in ear-range of a person speaking, or within reach of reading material.

3. Look Up Words You Don't Know 

Try to get yourself into the habit of looking words up that you're unfamiliar with. If you're fortunate enough to have access to the Internet (which I'm assuming you do if you're reading this), you have loads of choices of dictionaries and thesauruses.

4. Learn A Word A Week 

Challenge yourself to learn a word a week. This is definitely doable, with seven days at your disposal to get accustomed to the new word. If you do this, you'll be expanding your vocabulary by fifty-two words a year. If this is too easy for you, then do two words a week, or three words a week - it's up to you. On the other-hand, if this is a bit much of a challenge, then do a word every two weeks.

5. Repetition 

It's no good learning a new word if you're going to forget it. You need to try and get it into your long-term memory.

Research suggests that by going over a word twenty times will help it to become part of your vocabulary.

You can review your words with index cards, or any other memory trick that can help with the memory process.

6. Insert Them Into Conversations 

Once you feel quite confidant that you know the meanings of a few newly-learnt words, your next step is to put them into a conversation. Don't try to use them in every sentence, but just insert them when the time is right, like you would with any other word.

The more used to the words you become, the more you're inevitably going to use them casually, not even having to think about when and where to say them.

7. Take Vocabulary Tests 

Get yourself to take a quick vocabulary test a day. You'll be forced to think about words, and words you come across that are unfamiliar to you, you can just look-up on a dictionary and become acquainted with.

You can find vocabulary tests on the Internet just by doing a quick Google search.

Some Words To Consider Using

Here's a few words you may want to learn if you're unsure which words to start with, but there are loads more out there to choose from:

• Abhor
• Abjure
• Acquiesce
• Arcane 
• Avarice
• Amiable
• Brazen
• Brusque
• Candour
• Chide
• Clandestine
• Coerce
• Coherent
• Connive
• Debase
• Decry
• Demure
• Deride
• Despot
• Embezzle
• Enmity
• Erudite
• Extol
• Feral
• Fractious
• Furtive
• Gratuitous
• Haughty
• Impertinent
• Impudent
• Incisive
• Indolent
• Inept
• Infamy
• Innate
• Insatiable
• Insular
• Intrepid
• Inveterate
• Jubilant
• Knell
• Lithe
• Lurid
• Maverick
• Maxim
• Modicum
• Morose
• Myriad
• Nadir
• Nominal
• Nuance
• Obsequious
• Panacea
• Penchant
• Perusal
• Plethora
• Predilection
• Repudiate
• Rife
• Salient
• Serendipity
• Staid
• Superfluous
• Sycophant
• Taciturn
• Truculent
• Umbrage
• Vex
• Vociferous
• Wanton
• Zenith

What is a Tongue-Twister?

A tongue-twister is a phrase that is purposefully designed to be hard to articulate properly. 

Tongue-twisters are used for the amusement of people, laughing at some of the mispronounced words, however can be great for articulation. If you're interested, I have written a post about how to develop articulation.

A tongue-twister is normally comprised of a rapid alteration between similar phonemes, rhyming, and can include alliterations.

If you're now wanting to try some tongue-twisters, then try these - just make sure to repeat them over-and-over again until you make a mistake, and to try and go as fast as you can:

• She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore. The shells she sells are sea-shells, I'm sure. For if she sells sea-shells on the sea-shore. Then I'm sure she sells sea-shore shells.
• Red lorry, yellow lorry.
• Betty Botter bought a bit of butter.The butter Betty Botter bought was a bit bitterAnd made her batter bitter.
  But a bit of better butter makes better batter.
  So Betty Botter bought a bit of better butter
  Making Betty Botter's bitter batter better.
• Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
  Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
  If Peter Piper Picked a peck of pickled peppers,
  Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
• Shep Schwab shopped at Scott's Schnapps shop;
  One shot of Scott's Schnapps stopped Schwab's watch.
• Unique New York.
• Greek grapes.
• A Proper Copper Coffee Pot.
• Betty bopper's battering batton made bertie bopper bite her.
• Cecily thought Sicily less thistly than Thessaly.
• Irish wristwatch.
• Peggy Babcock.
• Pleasant mother pheasant plucker.
• Red Leather, Yellow Leather.
• Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper.
• Smiley shlug with Shloer. 
• Unique New York.
• How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A woodchuck would chuck as much as he could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood! 
• Sheena leads, Sheila needs.
• Shine my city shoes!
• She sat upon a balcony, inimicably mimicking him hiccuping and amicably welcoming him in.
• Dog, doggy, doggity. 
• The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.
• How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?
• I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.
  Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.
• Wolf waffling (I made this tongue-twister up as I was writing this post). :)
• Rubber baby buggy bumpers
• Toy boat.
• Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran
• Fuzzy-Wuzzy was a bear.  Fuzzy-Wuzzy had no hair.  Fuzzy-Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy, was he? 
  
  
  I don't claim ownership or credit for the pictures, all credit is reserved for the original owners. No copyright intended, if you have an issue with a picture that is present, then please contact me.

12 Ways to develop communication skills

The ability to be able to communicate effectively is a skill and is essential for many different circumstances that we may have to face in our lives. These could include: debating; public speaking; socialising; selling products etc... 

All of us as individuals have the ability to influence people, knowingly or unknowingly. How you communicate and what you say, hugely effects your influence on people and is how people determine your characteristics. 

1. Articulation 

Enunciating your words clearly so that people can understand you, will help in socialising and communicating.

When you have to ask someone to repeat themselves because they mumble; you will have
trouble understanding and can put you off trying to communicate with that person.

If you are going to be speaking publicly, then articulation is needed. The audience will have a much easier job of listening to what you are saying and understanding what you're trying to get across. 

2. Listen 

Listening is a vital skill that you can greatly benefit from. To be able to communicate effectively you will need to be able to concentrate on the other person's/people's views and thoughts. You can learn a tremendous amount from listening alone and can pick up on much more than you might think. 

While you listen, you can formulate in your mind an adequate response to the person you are conversing with. Publilius Syrus said "Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage".

3. Correct speed 

Try not to speak too fast when talking to someone, some people will find it hard to keep up and could put it down to nerves. If they are finding it hard to keep up at that speed, they will likely try to avoid talking with you. 

On the other hand, if you speak to slow, people can become bored or frustrated at the pace in which you're speaking at. A good indication of if you are guilty of this could be, when people start finishing your sentences for you, helping you to finish what you're saying quicker.

4. Practice 

Improving communication starts off with basic interaction and experiences. You can practise developing communication in new settings and environments, try striking up conversations with people that you don't normally have with; or try helping out with certain activities, helping with socialisation. 

5. Body Language 

Body language can be a really good indication to how somebody is feeling. If you're body language gives the impression that you're not really interested or that you would rather be somewhere else, the person who you're speaking with isn't going to want to continue the conversation. 

Be careful with the impression you make, you don't want to offend someone because you gave the wrong impression, it's very easy for people to give you a label.

6. Eye-contact 

For either speaking or listening, maintaining eye-contact with the person you are conversing with, will help the experience be more successful and will show that you're paying attention to them. 

One trick to use, is focusing on one of their eyes and then on the other one, then back to the first. Don't do it quickly, otherwise you'll look strange, but try to do it quite slowly and as smoothly as possible. It will make you look slightly more interested.

If you are talking to a group of people, holding eye-contact with different people will give a more personal feeling and will help them to think that you value their views. 

7. Confidence

Have the confidence to be able to submit your ideas to the conversation, being able to think that they are worthwhile and well thought through. If you feel that your thoughts are not worthwhile, don't worry; if your thoughts are well thought through, then people will probably agree with you or give a thoughtful response themselves. 

8. Think before you say 

If you're going to be successful in communication, you will definitely need to think before you say. Any offence should be avoided and so thought will have to be applied before speaking. 

You want to show others that you are taking an interest in what they're saying and you don't want to come up with silly answers where people will start to stop valuing your opinion. 

9. Ask questions 

Make sure the conversation is not just one sided. If you're always talking about yourself and about what you've experienced, then people can see it as attention seeking or boasting - even if it's not meant to be. Try to ask questions and show an interest in them, helping in continuing the conversation.

10. Be patient 

Whatever the topic, whatever the circumstance, try to be as patience as possible. Patience is valued and helps stem relationships with people.

If you come across as somebody who is inpatient and somebody who has a tendency to become frustrated pretty quickly, then people are going to be put off talking to you. No-one wants to be shouted at. 

11. See their point of view 

Whenever discussing a topic, try to put yourself into the other persons shoes and see where they're coming from. A lot can be established from doing this and you can have a higher influence when it comes to debating. 

12. Value Criticism 

When we receive criticism, often we become defensive and presume they're wrong, maybe spit an insult in response. Instead of this, think about the criticism and consider why they would say this. If it's how others perceive you, then be thankful that someone had the courage to tell you. 

If it's not true and is meant nastily, then ignore it or respond kindly. Often kind words will make them reflect on what they've done, helping them see that they were wrong.

Developing Articulation.

What is articulation?

Articulation describes how the tongue,  jaw, lips and other speech organs correspond in creating a sound. When someone is very articulate, it means that they can speak very clearly and is very distinct in sounding out all of their syllables.

Articulation refers to the supra-laryngeal activity:

• Your manner of articulation ( Tap, trill, stricture),
• Nasality,
• Location of the maximum constriction of the vocal tract.

Speaking in general terms concerning articulation, is held to be a distinctive character in our spoken speech. This is contrasted with our inarticulate speech such as: Laughing; crying; yelling; moaning and groaning; and with more or less analogous utterances.

Why would you want to become more articulate?

For every public speaker, mastering articulation is compulsory. You want your audience to be able to clearly hear what you're saying and have the least amount of effort in understanding it. Not getting your point across clearly enough can put people off and can ruin your speech.

Being articulated in your speech is useful when communicating with people normally also, you don't have to repeat yourself as often and can be precisely understood.

1. Strengthen the articulatory organs.

These exercises will help in developing your facial and other muscles that are associated with speaking. When using these exercises, focus on how your tongue and facial muscles move to accommodate different sounds.

Try to practice tongue twisters daily publicly and non-publicly, while saying these, implement these steps:

• Speak slowly and carefully enunciating each syllable,
• Repeat at a slow speed until you have it mastered, then take it up a notch and try to perfect that. Repeat this process, slowly increasing the tempo in which you say the tongue twisters, until you can say it proficiently and sharply at normal speed. 

2. Practice reading aloud.

Try reading a complex and challenging. book, in which large words are used and have to be read in an articulate and clear mannerism. 

Non-fiction books are the best for this exercise. For example the King James Bible uses many complex and intriguing words which need a careful approach. It is also said that the King James Bible helped develop English speech and our understanding of the language.

3. Breathing exercise.

Practice breathing exercises, this can help with gaining control of your dialogue and the speed in which you deliver it at.

Dealing with public speaking.

Public speaking, some were born to it, while others weren't. 

Public speaking is the action of communicating to a group of people in an organised, structured mannerism, to teach; influence; question; or to entertain people.

Public speaking can bring about great events, but can bring much stress to the speaker and sometimes the audience involved. So because of this, many of us stay well clear of public speaking at all costs.

Of course at certain stages in our life or on a regular basis, public speaking must be done. This could be for: work; to get certain tasks accomplished; spreading the gospel etc.

Public speaking does not have to be stressful! If you carefully look at public speaking logically and use some tips to boost your confidence while speaking publicly, you can help yourself deal with it.

Think Logically.

What is it that makes you hate public speaking? Is it the stress?; the embarrassment of getting something wrong?; afraid people will see you as boring?; nervousness? Whatever it is, stop! Take a step back and look at public speaking from a different perspective. 

How many times have you heard a public speaker? What did you think about them?, did you take an immediate dislike to the person?, did you laugh at him/her and ridicule them because they were speaking openly? No, of course you didn't. Getting over this fear of thinking that people will do this to you, must be thrown out of the window, as its not logical. 

A little bit of nerves and stress is normally good before a public speech, it helps you to stay focused on your speaking, not wanting to say or imply the wrong thing.

Many brilliant public speakers used to be people at the other end of the spectrum where you are now. Not wanting to speak openly, shy, embarrassed, too nervous, but they got through it and now feel comfortable taking on masses of people. You can do it to. Don't shake your head at me and say no, because you can.

Here are some tips you can implement when you are going to speak publicly:

1. Know the topic.

Before you make the speech, research the topic you are speaking about, and learn more about it than you include in your speech. This will help when answering questions on the chosen topic and help you with preparation. When feeling more relaxed 'up front', slipping these extra bits of information and using them as examples can help round off your speech.

2. Familiarise the room.

Make sure you know the room you'll be speaking in, in advance. Get their at an earlier time or an earlier day. This will help you to not get overwhelmed if it's a big room with many chairs laid out. You can practice speaking and voice projection. Try out technological aids if they are used, like a microphone or power point presentation etc.

3. Greet the audience.

Before you make your speech, as the audience is arriving, greet them and get to know them a bit. They won't seem so scary when looking at them, and something they say before may be able to be used in the speech as an example, or maybe you could include some humour between you and that person.

4. Practice.

Extremely important this is. Reading through and knowing your material well, is a must if you want to deliver a solidified, well put together speech. You can engage more with the audience, work out timings and pauses, and it will boost your confidence immensely. 

Memorising a speech is an even better thing to do, allowing you to look at the audience more and increasing your connection with them. Of course you should take your speech with you as well in the case of an emergency, but strictly speaking, the better public speakers are the one's who memorise and know their speeches before hand.

5. Relax.

Preceding the speech, calm yourself down and clear your mind. Think about what you're going to say and how you're going to say it. Practice smiling and deep breathing, have a glass of water.

6. The audience are on your side.

Audiences want you to do well when speaking publicly, they don't wont you to be boring, but instead want you to be: engaging, intriguing and confident. 

Sometimes though, the audience will not be rooting for you. This is normally true when you happen to be opposing something they believe. They still, however, want you to be interesting and stimulating enough to be able to watch.

7. Try not to apologize.

Don't apologize when you slip up or make a stumble. Just calmly correct the mistake not highlighting it to the audience. 

Constantly apologizing to the audience, makes them nervous in your ability to make the speech. You will feel this and will make more mistakes by doing so.

The audiences view on a mistake is either: A - They will over look it, or B - Not even notice it.

8. All you need is two or three points.

While many speakers list pages of facts and points about their topic, studies show that two or three main points for your speech to revolve around, helps convey the message just as effectively, if not more so. 

Studies also show that people remember only few facts or bits of information speakers convey, so by basing your speech on two or three main points can help in the audiences memory of it and in the directivity of your speech.