PODCAST SCRIPT - RHETORIC IN YOUR PRESENTATION

Rhetoric – it’s the study of effective speaking and writing. And that study dates back to the orators in the city states of ancient Greece and Rome.

“Rhetoric paints with a broad brush,” said American satirist George Carlin. And so it does. But it also paints for an audience.

Your audience is your first consideration when preparing your words for a presentation. Consider their situation, their needs and their concerns when you prepare your speech. The rhetoric will follow.

Common rhetorical techniques include repetition, association and humour.

Repetition. Audiences become more comfortable with an idea when it’s familiar. By repeating a word or phrase several times you can boost that familiarity.

Association. You can link your ideas and concepts to those of others. You can link them to historical dates or events. You can paint an association with metaphors or similes – all designed to add context to your spoken word.

Humour. When you tell a humorous story or a joke you invite your audience to look at something from an alternative viewpoint. They can re-appraise their own take on something with a new light. It’s an effective technique that needs practice.

Your range of rhetorical techniques is vast. Your speech objectives might be very different but rhetorical techniques will always prove adaptable to your needs. Next, timing your presentation.