Fadhliyah Rahmah Muin, S.Pd.I., M.Pd., St. Hartina, S.Pd., M.Pd., Ayu Pratiwi
English Language Education Study Program, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Palopo, Indonesia
Public speaking is the art of conveying information, ideas, or messages to a group of people in an effective and persuasive manner. This activity is often carried out in a variety of contexts, including business presentations, academic lectures, political speeches, and social events. The main purpose of public speaking can vary, from providing information, influencing opinions or behavior, to entertaining the audience.
In public speaking, the preparation and structure of the presentation is the key to success. A speaker must prepare the material well, understand the audience, and compose a presentation that has a logical flow, usually consisting of an opening, body, and closing. The preamble serves to attract the attention of the audience and give a general idea of the topic to be discussed. The content section outlines the main points in detail, while the closing summarizes the content of the presentation and provides a conclusion or call to action.
Delivery skills also play an important role in public speaking. Effective speakers use a variety of techniques, such as voice intonation, body language, and eye contact to maintain the audiences’ attention and convey the message clearly. Continuous practice and experience are essential to develop this skill. With practice, speakers can increase confidence, reduce nervousness, and become more flexible in dealing with unexpected situations during a presentation. Good public speaking skills not only help in more effective communication but can also open up opportunities in career and social life.
Silences or pauses in public speaking refer to those moments when the speaker stops speaking for a moment. Although it looks simple, silence has an important role in effective communication. Deliberate pauses can provide an opportunity for the audience to digest the information presented, add dramatization to important points, and give the speaker time to organize their thoughts. The right pause can increase the appeal of the presentation and help reinforce the message you want to convey.
However, too long or accidental silences can cause discomfort for both the speaker and the audience. For example, unplanned pauses often occur because the speaker forgets the next point or gets nervous. This unexpected silence can diminish a speaker’s credibility and disrupt the flow of a presentation. Therefore, it is important for the speaker to practice and master the material in order to use pauses effectively without looking awkward.
Errors in public speaking are common, even for experienced speakers. This error can be in the form of mispronouncing words, forgetting important points, or even providing inaccurate information. The way a speaker handles mistakes can have a major impact on the audiences’ perception of their credibility and professionalism. Admitting mistakes and correcting ourselves calmly can show honesty and mental toughness.
Some common mistakes in public speaking include reading slides excessively, avoiding eye contact, and speaking too fast. An organization focused on developing public speaking skills, one way to overcome fallacies is through careful preparation and consistent practice. This practice allows the speaker to become familiar with the material, identify potential problems, and develop strategies to address them.
Based on the qualitative research conducted by the authors, there are several factors of silences that occur during public speaking. The first interviewee said that many people experience anxiety when speaking in public, which is known as gloss phobia. Fear of making a mistake, being judged negatively by the audience, or forgetting words can cause the speaker to suddenly fall silent. This condition is often caused by a lack of experience, inadequate preparation, or low self-confidence.
The second interviewee said that silence could occur if speakers did not prepare their material sufficiently. When speakers are unsure of what to say next or do not have a deep understanding of the topic at hand, they may get stuck looking for the right words or thinking about what to say next. Good preparation includes knowing our audience, mastering the material, and practicing our presentation.
The third interviewee said that external factors such as technical interference (for example, a malfunctioning microphone), interruptions from the audience, or environmental noise can cause silence. In addition, unexpected audience reactions or expressions can cause the speaker to lose focus or pause to adjust to the changing situation.
As well, there are several factors of errors that occur during the public speaking based on the research interview. The first interviewee said one of the main mistakes in public speaking is lack of preparation. When speakers do not prepare the material well, they may not have a deep understanding of the topics covered, which can result in the delivery of inaccurate or incomplete information. Lack of preparation can also make the speaker look unconfident and unconvincing in the eyes of the audience.
The second interviewee said mistakes in choosing words or using language that does not suit the audience are mistakes that often occur. For example, the use of jargon or technical terms that are not understood by the audience can make the message difficult to understand. Conversely, using language that is too simple or informal in the presence of a professional audience can be perceived as belittling them.
The third interviewee said effective public speaking involves building a connection with the audience. Mistakes in this case include not making eye contact, ignoring the audiences’ reaction, or not involving the audience in the presentation. When the speaker fails to establish a connection, the audience may feel ignored or disinterested, which can reduce the impact of the message delivered.
Then, overcoming silences and errors in public speaking requires careful preparation, practice, and the right strategy. There are some steps and techniques that can help solve both of the problems. In-depth preparation in public speaking involves several important steps that begin with a thorough understanding of the topic. Conduct comprehensive research using a variety of reliable sources such as books, scientific articles, and reports. Make notes of the main points we want to convey, including relevant data, statistics, and examples. Make sure we master the material so that we can answer questions from our audiences with confidence. A strong understanding of the topic allows us to speak more naturally and overcome potential silences during presentations.
Next, get to know our audiences to make sure the presentation is relevant and engaging. Identify who our audience is, their background, and what they expect from our presentation. Create a clear presentation structure with an engaging introduction, an organized main body, and a strong conclusion. Use visual aids such as slides and props to support our points. Rehearse our presentation over and over again, record and review it, and rehearse it in front of others to get constructive feedback. Consistent practice helps us remember the material and find the best way to convey it.
Prepare ourselves mentally and physically for the presentation day. Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and positive visualization to reduce anxiety. Make sure we get enough rest and arrive early to check the equipment and familiarization with the room. Anticipate questions from the audience and prepare clear answers and backup plans to deal with technical problems. With this in-depth preparation, we can increase our confidence and effectiveness in public speaking, ensuring our message is delivered with clarity and impact.
Creating a clear presentation structure is an important step to ensure our audience can easily follow our train of thought. A good structure starts with an interesting introduction. In this section, we should convey the purpose of the presentation and give a brief overview of what will be discussed. A strong introduction grabs the audience’s attention and gives them a reason to stay engaged. It can start with an inspirational quote, a relevant anecdote, or a thought-provoking rhetorical question.
The main content part of the presentation should be well organized, dividing the information into logical points or sections. Each point should be clearly introduced and supported by relevant data, examples or illustrations. The use of subheadings and smooth transitions between sections help the audience understand how each section relates to each other. This structure not only helps the audience follow the flow of the presentation but also helps the speaker stay focused and not forget important points.
A strong conclusion is the final part of a clear presentation structure. In this section, summarize the main points that have been discussed and convey the message or invitation we want to leave to the audience. The conclusion provides a satisfying sense of the ending and helps reinforce our main message. It can also include a brief summary or closing statement that motivates or inspires the audience to take action. A clear presentation structure ensures that the audience can remember and understand our message better.
Practice is a key element in preparing for effective public speaking. First of all, practicing consistently helps us recognize strengths and weaknesses in our speaking skills. Through repeated practice, we can improve our voice intonation, posture, as well as our style and speed of speech. Practice also allows us to refine our improvisation skills, so we can respond quickly and appropriately to questions or situations that arise in the middle of a presentation. Furthermore, practicing in front of friends, family, or co-workers is an effective way to get useful feedback. Friends or colleagues can provide a different perspective and highlight areas that need improvement. By accepting feedback openly, we can identify patterns that need to be improved and develop our confidence in public speaking. In addition, practicing in front of a small audience prepares us mentally and emotionally to deal with the pressure of speaking before a larger audience.
Finally, recording and reviewing our own presentation is a very useful method for evaluating our progress. By recording ourselves, we can see and hear how we perform from the other person’s point of view. Critically review the recording, paying attention to our body language, voice intonation, and clarity of message. From here, we can identify areas that need improvement and set goals for our next workout. Recordings also allow us to see progress over time and gradually improve our skills. By combining regular practice, feedback from others, and self-evaluation, we can develop better public speaking skills and more confidence.
