Oratory is an example of oratory, the art of public speaking, which includes rhetoric and the skill of presenting information. Let's see what oratory should be in structure. We will consider examples of it.
When did the art of public speaking begin?
The art of eloquence arose in ancient Greece, where it developed very quickly and reached its peak. However, due to the eternal rivalry between Greece and Rome, great speakers appeared in both states.
Indeed, only in Greece, where the word was an integral part of the life of every citizen, oratory could arise. The first ancient Greek speaker is called Pericles. His oratory is an example of logic, clarity, harmony in the presentation of information.
As for Ancient Rome, there rhetoric appeared only after the conquest of Greece. The Roman manner of speaking was distinguished by excessive stylistic decorations, metaphors, parables and was not so comprehensive and philosophical. However, one of the greatest speakers - Cicero - belongs to this state.
The fall of Rome became the sunset of the oratory of antiquity, since it can only succeed where free institutions flourish.
How to write a speech
What is needed to get a competent oratory? Examples of topics for your presentation should be selected in accordance with the following principles:
- You need to navigate the topic better than the audience.
- The topic should be relevant.
- The audience is interested in what you are going to talk about.
Having decided on what you will talk about, come up with a name for the speech. It should, on the one hand, accurately reflect the essence of speech, and on the other, attract attention. Oratory examples of names have these: working - "How alcohol and nicotine destroy our body"; for the performance - "Allowed Poisons".
You also need to determine the purpose of your speech in advance. It can be different depending on the audience. For example: explain, inform, convince, arouse interest, etc.
The chosen goal will determine the type of your speech:
- Informational.
- Propaganda.
- Secret
- Entertaining.
Having decided on the purpose and type of speech, you can begin to formulate the main idea of the speech and topic.
Performance plan
The plan helps make the presentation logical, clear, concise and informative. It allows you to fully illuminate the problem raised in the speech. You need to make a plan from the moment you start work. Gradually, he, of course, will change, but this will only benefit. Let's see what the plan will look like when our goal is public speaking. Example:
- We describe a phenomenon or problem.
- The reason for the occurrence of a phenomenon or problem.
- We determine the regularity or randomness of the occurrence of a problem or phenomenon.
- How the various components of this problem are interconnected and interact.
- We determine the prospects for solving the problem or the development of the phenomenon.
- Conclusion or practical suggestion.
If your task is to prove something, then moving from the opposite is a common trick. That is, first you make a statement, and then you refute it, leading the audience to the opposite truth. However, it must be remembered that you must use not compelling arguments to persuade. It is not only easy to inform, but also to prove something, only by citing sufficiently good reasons. You need to select such arguments based on which audience you are going to speak to. Then only your oratory will take effect.
Examples of how to write an oratory can be found in specialized literature. But there are two laws of its construction, which should not be violated: in order to convey the main idea, use as few means as possible; the audience must be constantly on the alert.
Preparing for the performance
Just before the presentation, you should ask yourself only three questions:
- Who is my audience?
- What does she expect from me?
- What is the purpose of my speech?
In this case, you should have a speech plan in your head. To facilitate, you can write keywords on the cards.
Oratory. Steve Jobs example
Speech by Steve Jobs June 12, 2005 at Stanford University has gone down in history and has become the clearest example of rhetorical art, but why?
Let's start with the headline: "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish." These phrases evoke several emotions at once: interest, surprise, some misunderstanding. But in any case - to find out what is hidden behind this topic. The goal is achieved - the audience is intrigued.
This oratory is an example of simplicity and openness. It is replete with verbal turns, simple sentences. The style of speech is conversational, which brings the speaker closer to the audience - graduates, yesterday's students. Constant pauses make it possible to understand what was said, but not to get bored.
Cicero wrote: "There are two arts that can put a person on the highest level of honor: one is the art of a commander, the other is the art of a good orator." His statement is valid today. Especially nowadays when agreements are preferable to wars.