The effective use of verbal language: clarity, precision and rhetoric.

Precision as the Basis of a Clear Message

When speaking in public, verbal communication must be, above all, precise and accurate. To achieve this, it is essential to use words in the most appropriate and concrete way possible, avoiding ambiguities that may dilute the message.

A golden rule is to convey a single idea per sentence; it is preferable to use several sentences for a complex idea than to try to condense multiple concepts into a single long sentence, which only generates confusion.

Also, base your explanation on concrete actors and actions rather than abstractions, as this makes the message more tangible and easier to understand. Avoid vagueness and exaggeration, and focus on direct language.

Lastly, it is crucial to restrict as much as possible the use of repetitive crutches (such as "okay", "well", "you understand me") and body tics, as they not only distract the audience, but also project an image of nervousness or lack of mastery of the topic.

Vocal Skills: How We Sound to the Audience

Beyond the choice of words, the way we pronounce them "the rhetoric" is decisive.

To do this, it is necessary to work on a series of communication skills that are acquired through practice and self-assessment, such as recording yourself to listen to yourself. These skills include:

Fluency and Diction: speaking without stuttering and with clear pronunciation, articulating all syllables correctly so that the message is understood effortlessly.

Volume and Intonation: Adapt the volume to sound neither timid nor overbearing, and vary the intonation to avoid monotony, which is the greatest enemy of audience interest.

The modulation of the tone allows to enhance the expressiveness and to underline the most important ideas.

Speed and Pace: Maintain an appropriate pace, neither too fast (which denotes nervousness) nor too slow (which can bore).

Pauses: Using silences strategically is one of the most overlooked yet most powerful skills.

Pauses serve to emphasize key ideas, generate excitement, and give both the audience and yourself a break.

The Cautious Use of a Sense of Humor

Humor can be a very effective tool for connecting with an audience, but its use requires great care.

As a general rule, it is not advisable to use it at the beginning and end of your speech, as these are key moments to set the tone and consolidate your message, respectively.

When you decide to use humor, make sure that it is "white humor", i.e., that it is not positioned on controversial issues or likely