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5 Different Types Of Public Speaking Everyone should know in 2024

5 Different Types Of Public Speaking Everyone should know in 2024

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Anh Vu 15 Apr 2024 5 min read

Are you looking for different types of speaking? With the ubiquity of social media, it’s easy to think that public speaking is a relic of the past. However, it is still a skill that is highly valued in many professions. Public speaking is an essential component of many jobs, such as teaching, sales, and marketing.

There are many different types of public speaking, each with its unique purpose and style. The most common types of public speaking are:

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1. Types of Public Speaking – Ceremonial Speaking

The type of public speaking is typically done for special occasions or events. The ceremonial speech is usually short and aims to honor or celebrate someone or something. For example, a keynote speech at graduation would be considered ceremonial. The key elements are:

  • Brevity: With ceremonial speeches, it is important to be concise and get to the point quickly. Also, you want to avoid rambling since you likely have limited time.
  • Personal Touch: The speeches are often more personal. You may share a story or experience to help drive home your point.
  • Purpose: The goal of ceremonial speaking is usually to honor someone or something. For example, you may give a speech at a wedding to congratulate the newlyweds.
  • Focused On The Audience: The speeches typically focus on the audience’s needs. For example, you may give a speech at a retirement party that is light-hearted and funny.

2. Types of Public Speaking – Persuasive Speaking

This type of public speaking is designed to convince the audience to see your point of view or take action. It involves crafting a well-reasoned argument and delivering it engagingly. For example, you might use persuasive speeches when giving a sales presentation or trying to convince your boss to give you a raise.

For your ideas to be convincing, you’ll need to do your research. This means understanding your audience, what they care about, and what objections they might have to your point of view. You’ll also need to anticipate their questions and have strong evidence to support your claims. To sound convincing, the following elements are a must:

  • Tone Of Voice: You’ll need to sound confident without being arrogant. Be sincere and honest about your beliefs.
  • Body Language: Make sure your body language is open and friendly. Avoid crossing your arms or tapping your foot, making you seem impatient or uninterested.
  • Facial Expressions: Smile when appropriate and maintain eye contact with your audience members. Frowning or looking away will make you seem unapproachable or disinterested.
  • Craft Your Plan: To persuade your audience, you’ll need a well-crafted plan. This means having a strong introduction, clear main points, and a powerful conclusion in your persuasive speech.
  • Practice: As with any public speaking situation, practice makes perfect. The more you rehearse, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to take the stage.
types of public speaking
types of public speaking

3. Types of Public Speaking – Informative Speaking

This type of public speaking is designed to educate the audience about a particular topic. It involves providing information interestingly and engagingly. For example, you might use informative speeches when giving a speech about the history of your company or explaining how a new product works.

When crafting an informative speech, it’s important to remember that less is more. You don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too much information. Instead, focus on one key point and use examples and stories to illustrate your point. Also, you need to:

  • Facilitate Conversations: Make sure to encourage questions and discussion from the audience. This will help ensure they are engaged and understand the material better.
  • Make It Visual: People are likelier to remember information if it is presented visually. So, use charts, graphs, and other visuals to supplement your speech.
  • Make It Interesting: No one wants to listen to a boring speech. So, make sure to add some elements of suspense, humor, and emotion to keep your audience engaged.
  • Build Credibility: For your audience to believe what you’re saying, you need to be an expert on the topic. So, do your research and be sure to cite your sources.

4. Types of Public Speaking – Entertaining Speaking

Entertaining speaking is about using your public speaking skills to entertain the audience. This can involve telling jokes, sharing stories, or even performing a magic trick. If you’re giving an entertaining speech, your goal is to keep the audience entertained from start to finish.

To pull off an entertaining speech, you must have a strong stage presence and keep a straight face even when things aren’t going as planned. You also need to be able to think on your feet and improvise if necessary. The key considerations should be:

  • Preparation: Ensure you have plenty of material to work with and know your material inside out.
  • Delivery: Be engaging, energetic, and animated.
  • Content: Ensure your material is appropriate for the audience and keeps them entertained from start to finish.
  • Adaptation: If things go off-script, be prepared to improvise and keep the audience engaged.
  • Mindfulness: Be aware of your body language and use it to your advantage.

5. Types of Public Speaking – Demonstrative Speaking

With demonstrative speaking, the speaker shares a skill or knowledge with the audience to teach them how to do something. This type of public speaking can be seen in classrooms, training events, or business settings. The key elements of demonstrative speaking are:

  • Subject Understanding: Ensure you understand the subject matter inside and out before trying to teach it to others.
  • Simplicity: Keep your language and explanations clear and concise.
  • Visual Aids: Use props, charts, or other visuals to help explain your points.
  • Organization: Have a well-organized presentation so your audience can follow along easily.
  • Interaction: Ask questions, get input from the audience, and encourage discussion.
types of public speaking
types of public speaking

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Conclusion

Public speaking is a skill that can be useful in many different situations. By understanding the different types of public speaking, you can more effectively communicate your message to your audience. Whether you’re giving a presentation at work, delivering a speech at a wedding, or simply talking to a friend, understanding them will help you be a more effective communicator.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Those are the few types of Public Speaking, check out our AhaSlides public template library for more inspiration!