Speaking Techniques

Anaphora

Anaphora occurs when the same word or phrase begins sentences or clauses that appear close to one another. It adds emphasis to the repeated idea and also creates a pleasing rhythmic effect. Often used at the beginnings and endings of speeches, anaphora makes a good speech more powerful and memorable.

Asyndeton

Asyndeton is the intentional omission of a conjunction, such as leaving out 'and' from a list. Leaving out these conjunctions while maintaining the usual gramatical form of the sentence can result in a sentence that feels more immediate and dramatic. It is a powerful tool to add emphasis at crucial points of a speech.

Analogy

Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'. They are often used to provide a simple explanation to a more complicated idea. They can be used to deliver a vivid image for an audience to capture their imaginations. A well-timed analogy can add depth to your speech as it helps your audience understand your central points.

Appeal to Ethos

Derived from ancient Greek, 'ethos' means character. In rhetoric, an appeal to ethos is an appeal to the authority and trustworthiness of a speaker. Ethos can be established prior to a speech by a speaker's reputation, or it can be established by demonstrating knowledge about a subject. An audience needs to trust and respect a speaker if a speech is to be effective, and appeals to ethos are the central means of accomplishing this.

Appeal to Pathos

Derived from ancient Greek, 'pathos' means 'experience' or 'suffering' . In rhetoric, an appeal to pathos is an appeal to an audience's emotions and imaginations. The aim of an appeal to pathos is to help the audience understand and share in the speaker's own viewpoint. Appeals to pathos work best when they emphasise a shared value between the speaker and the audience and when paired with logical arguments.

Humor

Effective speakers use humor in a variety of ways: to keep an audience engaged, to appear more personable, or to make an unpopular idea more acceptable. If used inappropriately or too frequently, humor can be damaging to a speech. However, when used sparingly and at the right moments, humor makes speeches significantly more memorable.

Metaphor

Metaphors occur when a word or phrase is applied to something to which it does not literally apply. They suggest a rich and often engaging comparison between two things, and they can be short and focused or long and complex. Metaphors can create a strong emotional response in an audience. They can also make a difficult idea or argument easier to comprehend.

Antithesis

Occurs when two ideas are placed in opposition of one another. It uses a parallel structure to create contrast. Because ideas are often easier to grasp when we understand their opposites, antithesis is a useful rhetorical device for conveying arguments so they are approachable and easy to remember.

Amplification

Occurs when words or ideas are arranged in order of increasing force or importance. Often this involves using a list or repeating key terms to create a climax. Powerful speakers frequently use amplification to create an emotional response in their audience.

Rule of Three

One of the most common and powerful rhetoric devices. It is easy for an audience to grasp and remember items that appear in grupos of three, often to dramatic effect. Use the rule of three to make sure you focus on your most important points and to avoid overwhelming an audience with superfluous information.

Parallelism

Parallelism occurs when a speaker uses a similar grammatical structure within a sentence or across multiple sentences. By repeating a central element, parallelism adds clarity to a speech and makes it easier for the audience to grasp a central idea. However, it can also add rhythm to a speech, making it more powerful and memorable.

Anamnesis

Refers to a recollection of the past. Appeals to history can sometimes involve logical fallacies, but can also serve to emphasise commonalities between speaker and audience and show the speaker's mastery of a subject. Anamnesis forms a part of a larger appeal to ethos.

Repetition

Repetition in speeches is important because your audience can't pause or return what you have said. You should state your ideas clearly and return to them often. However, repetition can be also used to highlight specific words and ideas in particular parts of your speech. Doing so can add rhythm to your language as it emphasises a single idea.

Inclusive Language

Speakers can develop a good rapport with the audience by using inclusive language such as 'we' and 'our'. Inclusive language shows that the speaker identifies with the audience members and has their interests in mind, and this in turn makes the speaker appear more trustworthy to the audience.

Alliteration

The repetition of sound across a phrase or group of words. It adds lyricism to your language, but also makes your phrases more vivid and easier for an audience to grasp.