Essay on Qualities of a Good Speaker (1500 Words)

A good speaker possess many qualities; as he can engage their audience. They should have an engaging speaking style and be able to speak clearly and confidently, while also being able to engage with the crowd. A good speaker can also make their audience feel comfortable, whether they’re speaking in front of a large group or just one person.

How to become a good speaker?

Good physical condition.

Good physical condition is very important for a good speaker. The ability to stand and speak in front of an audience is one of the most important qualities that every speaker should have. A speaker who lacks good physical condition must be able to imagine himself or herself as strong and fit, otherwise he/she cannot deliver an effective speech. Good health helps you maintain your body weight and keeps you away from diseases. It also helps keep your mind clear, so that you can think straight during meetings or public speaking events. In short, it makes your life easier!

Proper knowledge

The speaker should be well-versed with the subject he or she wishes to address and should know about it in detail so that he or she can speak on it confidently. They must also be able to answer any question from the audience without hesitation. The audience will feel satisfied when they are given answers to their questions, and they will also be able to understand what the speaker is saying easily. A good speaker should be able to explain complicated topics by using simple words and sentences, so that all people can understand him/her easily.

A good voice is typically clear and audible. It should be pleasant to listen to, appropriate for the occasion, controlled, and confident. A person who speaks with a high-pitched or whiny voice will have trouble being taken seriously by most audiences. A person whose voice is too low-pitched will also struggle to be heard above competing noise levels in large venues. By contrast, a speaker whose speech sounds natural and relaxed is usually easier on the ears than someone who shouts or whispers into their microphone.

Interesting delivery

A good speaker does not have to be a great orator. A person can be an excellent speaker without being a good public speaker. Listening to a boring and monotonous speech is not the same as watching a movie or reading an interesting book. In order for one to become successful in this field, he must learn how to talk in a manner that will capture the audience’s attention and keep them interested throughout his entire speech. If you want your audience to remember what you say, then you should always be mindful of the following:

Effective body language

Good speakers use appropriate hand gestures when speaking in order to reinforce what they are saying verbally. For example, if you are talking about something new that you want people to learn about, you could use an upwards motion with your hands as if pulling up information from the ground into your mind – this shows that there is more information available on the topic that can be learned by others if desired by them as well

Bad body language includes crossing your arms across your chest or putting one leg over another during presentation time signs of hostility towards others who might be listening in on what’s said during lecture sessions

Properly organized speech

A good speaker influences his audience., vocal qualities of a good speaker.

A good speaker can make a difference in the world and inspire people to do great things. A good speaker is also able to influence his audience and change their minds about things. The qualities that a good speaker should have are many, but they all come down to being knowledgeable, confident and clear when speaking with others.

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Essay on Qualities of a Good Speaker

Students are often asked to write an essay on Qualities of a Good Speaker in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Speaker

Introduction.

A good speaker has the power to inspire, motivate, and educate audiences. They can make complex ideas easy to understand and boring topics interesting.

A good speaker communicates with clarity. They use simple language and explain complex ideas in an understandable way.

Confidence is key. A good speaker is comfortable in front of an audience, maintaining eye contact and using strong body language.

Engaging the audience is crucial. Good speakers use questions, humor, stories, and other techniques to keep the audience interested.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Speaker

A good speaker possesses a unique blend of qualities that enable them to communicate effectively, inspire others, and make a lasting impact. These qualities, combined with the right knowledge and skills, can turn an ordinary speech into an extraordinary one.

Clarity of Thought and Expression

A good speaker is clear in thought and expression. They possess the ability to articulate complex ideas in simple, understandable terms. This requires a firm grasp of the subject matter, a rich vocabulary, and the ability to construct sentences that effectively convey their thoughts.

Engagement and Interaction

Good speakers engage their audience. They maintain eye contact, use body language effectively, and employ rhetorical devices that capture attention. They also interact with the audience, encouraging questions and feedback, making the audience feel involved in the discourse.

Empathy and Understanding

Empathy is a key quality of a good speaker. They understand their audience’s perspectives, needs, and emotions. This understanding allows them to tailor their speech in a way that resonates with the audience, making the message more impactful.

Confidence and Authenticity

In essence, a good speaker is not merely someone who speaks well but someone who connects, engages, and inspires. They transform speeches into meaningful experiences, leaving a lasting impression on their audience. The qualities of clarity, engagement, empathy, and authenticity are fundamental in achieving this.

500 Words Essay on Qualities of a Good Speaker

Public speaking is an art that requires a blend of skills and attributes. A good speaker can captivate an audience, convey complex ideas effectively, and inspire people to take action. This essay explores the key qualities that distinguish a good speaker.

Clarity and Articulation

The ability to articulate thoughts clearly and coherently is a hallmark of a good speaker. This involves not just choosing the right words, but also modulating tone, pace, and volume to enhance understanding. Clarity in speech ensures that the message is not lost in translation, and it helps to keep the audience engaged.

Knowledge and Expertise

Good speakers possess a deep understanding of their subject matter. This expertise allows them to answer questions, tackle counter-arguments, and delve into complex aspects of the topic with ease. Knowledge also lends credibility to the speaker, making it easier for the audience to trust and accept the information being shared.

Empathy and Connection

Passion and enthusiasm.

Passion is contagious, and a speaker who is genuinely passionate about their topic can ignite that same passion in their audience. Enthusiasm can make even the most mundane topics interesting and can help to keep the audience’s attention throughout the presentation.

Preparation and Organization

Preparation is key to delivering a successful speech. A good speaker spends time researching their topic, organizing their thoughts, and rehearsing their delivery. An organized speech is easier to follow, and rehearsing helps to ensure a smooth delivery, free from awkward pauses or stumbling over words.

In conclusion, being a good speaker involves much more than just talking in front of an audience. It requires confidence, clarity, knowledge, empathy, passion, and preparation. These qualities combined can create a powerful speaker capable of inspiring, educating, and moving their audience. Whether you’re a seasoned public speaker or just starting out, cultivating these qualities can help you improve your public speaking skills and make a lasting impact on your audience.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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Public Speaking as an Effective Skill Essay

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Public speaking is a highly important and useful skill that carries multiple advantages for personal life and professional career. Public speaking skills are required for specialists of various kinds. In this regard, mastering public speaking is going to serve as great enforcement for anyone. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate different situations where public speaking skills play an important role to show the reasons why public speaking is considered an effective skill.

First of all, the knowledge of theoretical and practical sides of public speaking provides one with multiple benefits such as understanding the ways people think and process the information, communicating thoughtfully and with higher efficiency, using the critical thinking, knowing how to organise and prepare presentations, researching the unfamiliar audiences and using appropriate communication strategies (Coopman, Lull 2014, p. 12). It is a well-known fact that most people experience certain difficulties in adjusting to a new society. For example, in a situation when a person starts working at a new place, they would feel the need to fit into the group of new co-workers, find a common language and establish friendly atmosphere at the workplace.

Public speaking skills provide a person with an ability to evaluate the audience, analyse their needs, learn their potentials, and successfully build contact with them. Proper application of public speaking knowledge will allow the new member of a group to move through the stage of getting to know the colleagues and feel comfortable talking with new people in unfamiliar situations (Coopman & Lull 2014, p. 12). In this case, public speaking skills will allow avoiding the discomfort at the workplace, which may lead to disruption of the work process and create problems for the whole company.

The most obvious situation where public speaking skills are always very useful is an actual performance in front of a group of people such as a public address, presentation of a new project at work, or a motivational speech. In such situations, the speaker can represent a group of fellows or the ideas important for many people. Due to this, a successful performance and efficient delivery of information are highly valuable and important (Keith & Lundberg 2013, p. 4). When one person is chosen to speak on behalf of many, it creates a certain pressure and responsibility for the speaker. In the case of the successful performance of one, the whole group will benefit. The good public speaker has to be able to present the information, keep the audience interested in the delivered ideas, and defend the point of view in case of criticism or counter argumentation.

The skills of public speaking provide one with courage, confidence, and the ability to fluently express themselves. One more situation that demonstrates the importance of public speaking skills is a casual conversation with a stranger. People are social creatures, interpersonal relationships of different kinds are highly important for us. Starting and maintaining friendships, being close to family members, having romantic relationships makes our lives easier and fuller. A skillful speaker will be able to represent themselves in the best and most appropriate way. This can be quite a challenging occupation. Performing in front of just one person is another variation of public speaking (Goldwasser 2006, p. 42). Successful personal representation in any situation, will it be a first date or a job interview, is extremely meaningful for anyone. This is why the development of public speaking skills is considered highly beneficial.

To conclude, almost every day, people face situations where speaking in front of an audience is required. The size of the audience may vary from one to hundreds or thousands of people, but the importance of professional and efficient delivery of information is always high. Knowledge of theoretical and practical sides of public speaking will enable the speaker to feel confident and comfortable and to present themselves and the necessary information in the best ways.

Coopman, S. & Lull, J. 2014, Public Speaking: The Evolving Art. Cengage Learning United States, Boston.

Goldwasser, I. 2006, Interactive Communication: A Guide to Effective Communication. Pearson Education Australia, Sydney.

Keith, W. & Lundberg, C. 2013, Public Speaking: Choice and Responsibility. Cengage Learning United States, Boston.

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Frantically Speaking

Explained: 11 Qualities of a Great Speaker

Hrideep barot.

  • Body Language & Delivery , Presentation , Public Speaking

qualities of a great speaker

“ Becoming is better than being” -Carol Dweck

Good public speaking is a talent that some are born with, and others acquire over time. While there is some advantage claimed by the former, everyone has equal potential to develop this skill. 

A great speaker possesses a wide array of qualities right from confidence, research skills, charisma, ability to modulate voice, appropriate body language, and more. We’ll talk about these in detail in the following article.

A mic, very often used by public speakers during events. Essential to address a large audience.

Before we dive into the importance of being a good speaker and applying this skill in the real world, let me clarify that you won’t be receiving the generic advice that most blogs and people out there give.

You must’ve heard things like “bring more ‘passion’ into your speech”, or “talk with confidence”, “be more energetic”, “talk louder”. But to be frank, those are all ridiculous tips with no applicability at all. Hardly anyone tells you what does ‘passion’ mean in this context, or HOW exactly is one to bring confidence on the table.

Well, if you’ve been a victim to these ludicrous suggestions, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you the exact meaning behind each of the qualities that we believe are possessed by a great speaker. Now, before we dive into the qualities…

Why is being a good speaker important?

It doesn’t matter if you’re an introvert or extrovert, a student or a professional, an artist or a manager, we all at some point in our lives have had to/will have to speak to an audience. As a student, it might be for things like elocution competitions, as an adult, it might be for business presentations. 

Whether it is a daily requirement or a rare opportunity, it is important to make an impact on the listeners. Being able to deliver a message effectively gives you a sense of power over your audience and makes you feel heard. It gives your opinions dominance over others. 

Now there are some nuances that need to be looked at. The qualities and traits possessed by an impactful speaker as follows:

  • Eccentricity
  • Relatability
  • Story-telling
  • Authenticity

A  great speaker does not beat around the bush, they’re very direct. They understand the value of time and therefore conduct themselves with precision. Sure, sometimes to build context they might indulge in stories or more personal anecdotes, however, they’re all essential to prove a point. 

He/she is aware of the fact that our attention span is progressively shrinking, and so they would make sure to keep their message short and sweet. 

That brings us to the next quality, awareness. Not the spiritual kind though, there is a very specific area of awareness that I refer to,  here. A great speaker has the knowledge of when, where, how, and how MUCH to speak.

What I mean by that is he/she has the ability to analyse a situation presented to them. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. How you do that is you ask yourself a bunch of questions:

  • Do I have something meaningful to say?
  • Do I have a substantial amount of points to prove my point?
  • Is the time and place appropriate for a discussion? (For eg. You can’t talk about the importance of scientific temper at a wedding or a funeral)
  • Are the people you’re speaking to the intended audience for what you have to say? 
Analyzing the audience is very important. What you say can differ according to the set of people you’re speaking to.

Adults would require different presentation skills and content than young children or adolescents. One needs to be aware of it. 

Being a good listener is one of the first steps to becoming a great speaker. How so, you may ask? Well, active listening is not only a pleasant trait to have but it also induces the virtue of patience in a person.

Being a patient listener allows you to grasp useful information and discard useless information which ultimately brings more clarity. It is a wise trait since it allows you to open your mind and acquire new perspectives into your own speech. 

And this is a passive activity, being a patient listener to a random stranger or your colleague might end up giving you insights that you can then incorporate in your content.

#Eccentricity

being a good speaker essay

A great speaker is considered great not only because of the way they speak but also (and perhaps more importantly) for WHAT they say. In this case, eccentricity is not a vice but a virtue.

What some people call “eccentric”, others call unique. Eccentricity has always had a negative connotation attached to it. However, they don’t realise that it gives a person a completely fresh perspective of the world. They see it in a different light, away from the norm. 

A great speaker does exactly that, take their UNIQUE view of the world and present it eloquently. In a way that consumes the audiences’ attention, they stay true to their own selves and shine a light on the lens through which they perceive things. 

And in today’s “out of the box thinking” world, the ability to be good at refreshingly presenting your ideas can take you places!

A great speaker usually concludes with actionable content, their speech is designed in such a manner that it urges you to do something at the end of it. 

For example, after listening to a motivational speaker, more often than not, you feel inspired to change something about your life for the better. That’s the magic of the speaker. If you feel indifferent while listening to a motivational speaker, then he/she would be considered to be failing at their job. 

#Relatability 

They know that if something is complex, it needs to be broken down into simple words. A great speaker knows how to explain or prove a point to even a layman, that’s how strong their command over language is.

This goes on to say that you need to really *understand* what you intend to talk about, down to the T. Only then would you be able to make it relatable. People understand things better when they can relate to it, situationally, or using metaphors. 

For example, a child does not understand complex concepts like business, but you must’ve seen a parent explaining to a child the idea of business like a barter system where they have to trade toys with a friend so that the child grasps what the core of the business is. 

You’d only be able to mold your content or connect it to metaphors if you comprehend it well. 

#Openness & #Welcoming

These two qualities are kind of interlinked. A great speaker has a humble, welcoming attitude. They’re open to criticism, feedback, and intend to turn it into something constructive. 

They develop empathy because it allows them to step into others’ shoes and expand the horizon of their own perspectives. Even their demeanor indicates their patience. They know how to separate personal from professional, and maintain those boundaries.

If you wanna know how to develop the skill to interact with your audience, check out our article that’ll guide you to do just that: 11 Engaging Ways To Interact With The Audience

In layman’s terms, empathy is the ability to step into someone else’s shoes and consider a perspective perhaps different from your own. A good speaker has the patience to be a good listener, being kind and open to other people’s point of view is what helps a speaker expand their own horizons. It also helps you to be realistic with the call to action you provide to your audience.

#Story-telling

The ability to make a speech interesting is to add an element of narrative to it. Making it a story really helps to hook your audiences’ attention. This can include peppering a few jokes here and there, starting with a personal anecdote. What these things do is allow the speaker to access a natural flow in their speech.

Apart from this, body language is an essential tool every great speaker must improve. Here’s an article we wrote in reference to the importance of body language, check it out: Body Language And Its Contribution To The Process Of Communication

Working on these skills to a level where it seems natural ATTRACTS people to you. It makes them want to hear what you have to say. 

#Authenticity

Authenticity comes with expanding your knowledge. Constantly challenging your boundaries and feeding your curiosity will add to the archive of information you hold in your brain. 

Knowing more things would automatically enable you to TALK about more things. 

How do I prepare myself?

You might think preparation goes unsaid if you’re planning to speak to an audience, but there are some specifics to be considered. Depending on your personality and skill, different situations of speaking require different kinds of preparation.

What I mean by that is, if you’re someone whose best work comes out when you systematically plan out every word of the speech along with subtopics on cue cards, then preparing your content beforehand and writing everything down to revise a bunch of times is a good idea. 

However, not everyone functions that way. You might be the kind of person who’s a sport for spontaneity. Sometimes people function best without preparation because they know how to entertain or work an audience, or they’re naturally skilled at it.

But even so, while there is no issue with that, it is wise to have some idea of what you’re getting yourself into. Perhaps checking the kind of crowd you will be addressing, or making a list of the areas you want to tap into while talking. These things eliminate the worst-case scenarios, like you freezing up out of nerves. 

So recognize your patterns and see what category you fit into, that will help you build further. 

Well, with that said, I believe you’re covered to begin your practice! But remember, apart from patience and perseverance, it’s important to be mindful of your progress. Keeping track of where you need improvement will help you get to your goal faster.

We wrote about the techniques of self-evaluation in a presentation, which involves being a good speaker too. Check it out here: 6 Ways You Can Evaluate Your Own Presentation

Hrideep Barot

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.css-1qrtm5m{display:block;margin-bottom:8px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5714285714285714;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.35px;letter-spacing:-0.35px;font-weight:300;color:#606F7B;}@media (min-width:600px){.css-1qrtm5m{font-size:16px;line-height:1.625;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.5px;letter-spacing:-0.5px;}} best practices 7 ways to be a better communicator - by tweaking your body language

by David JP Phillips • November 16, 2021

being a good speaker essay

Public speaking is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences that many of us face in our daily lives (although it’s dropped off the list of Americans’ biggest fears in recent years, replaced by more immediate threats like … sharks ?).

Part of our fear is about what we’re going to say, but the other part is about how we’re going to say it, according to communications expert David JP Phillips (TEDxZagreb Talk: The 110 techniques of communication and public speaking ). Phillips has spent years analyzing 5,000 public speakers to identify what moves work — and which ones don’t — when talking to an audience.

When we think of body language, many of us immediately think about hand and arm gestures. But body language is so much more than that — and it’s also something that we should all get comfortable with. By making small, easy tweaks to how we stand, move or even smile, we can help hold an audience’s attention. While Phillips has an entire 110-step system to public speaking, there’s no way or need to master them before your next presentation. Here, he shares 7 body-language tips that anyone can use.

Lean towards your audience

“Taking a step back indicates that you are threatened and makes your audience feel less relaxed,” says Phillips, who is based in Sweden. “Whenever we are threatened, we tend to close our body language, tense our muscles, and take a step back.” Crossing your arms is another move to avoid — it’s something else that people do when they’re nervous or scared and it puts those watching us on the defensive. So keep your arms open, and lean towards your audience. Make sure your head is inclined too; tilting your head backwards signals to your listeners that you feel superior to them.

Match your gestures to your words

Phillips’ rule of thumb when it comes to hand gestures: Make them functional (they should always have a purpose) and make sure they match your message. “The core of all communication is to make your message as clear as possible,” Phillips notes. If you’re talking about sales figures going up, that’s a good time to use a gentle, rising motion. If you’re setting two rhetorical options out for your audience to consider, place your hands on either side as if you’re weighing items in your palms. Humans are visual creatures, and movement will arouse an audience’s attention. But do not abuse this tendency. “If a person is using non-functional gestures, they can become annoying very quickly,” explains Phillips. “Functional gestures, however, are rarely used too much.”

Give your hands a rest

Most of us struggle mightily with what to do with our hands while talking. Put them in our pockets? (No, says Phillips: Too closed off.) Clasp them behind our back? (Nope: Domineering and overly formal.) Phillips has a whole lexicon of poses not to do with one’s hands, such as the “the prayer” (hands clasped in front) and “the beggar” (hands in front, palms up). And then there’s “the peacock”: hands on hips with elbows flapping loosely at your sides. “You often see this one being used by people who are nervous and who desire to quickly become ‘bigger’ in front of their opponent,” he explains. Phillips’s recommendation: “Leave your hands by your sides when you’re not using them.”

Tilt your head

Some of the ways that humans communicate nonverbally are pretty hardwired in us, says Phillips. One of these nonverbal signals is something you probably do all the time without realizing: When you’re trying to show empathy, you tilt your head to one side. “Good listeners are head tilters,” Phillips says. The same empathy signals work — even when you’re the one doing the talking.

Smile like you mean it

One of the most important things that a public speaker can do is deliver a Duchenne smile — the kind of genuine grin that fills your face and reaches your eyes. People respond more warmly to a Duchenne smile. “It will help make the audience more at ease and relaxed. And if they are at ease and relaxed, you’ll become more that way too and you’ve created a positive spiral, making you deliver your talk better. Also, adds Phillips, “as our emotions work from the inside out and the outside in, it means that you can affect your own emotional state in a positive way by smiling on stage.” No need to fake it — just bring to mind a person, place or animal that you know automatically brings a Duchenne smile to your face.

When you slip up, don’t panic

We’ve all had that moment: We practiced our speech until we could recite it in our sleep, but suddenly we can’t remember what comes next. The best way to recover, according to Phillips, is to act like you’re not panicking. “Avoid reacting on your fear,” he says. “Your body will want to tense up, reverse, hide in a corner, but all that just makes you feel less confident.” Instead, he suggests, “lean forward, open up your posture, breathe deep and slow, talk slowly, pause, and smile a Duchenne smile. All of those in combination will make you feel more comfortable.”

Practice — even when you’re not in front of a crowd

One of Phillips’ favorite mottos when it comes to body language is: “It’s a skill, not a talent.” He believes that anyone can become a great public speaker, even the most awkward and nervous of us. He says that a good first step is to simply become more tuned in to your everyday body language. Learn what gestures you tend to use to get your point across. Once you’ve gotten familiar with your existing body language vocabulary, you can start changing it and expanding it. “My most practical tip is to pick one to three skills and practice them every day until they become part of your natural way of communicating.”

This post was originally published on TED Ideas . It’s part of the “How to Be a Better Human” series, each of which contains a piece of helpful advice from someone in the TED community; browse through all the posts here .

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.

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How to Be an Effective Public Speaker

Last Updated: April 22, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Deb DiSandro and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 343,883 times.

Even accomplished public speakers worry about whether or not their presentation is effective. Fortunately, improving your effectiveness as a public speaker is very simple! To be an effective public speaker, prepare a well-developed speech that fits your audience. Then, practice your delivery prior to giving the speech. Finally, connect with the audience, articulate your words, and use gestures as you give your speech.

Preparing Your Speech

Step 1 Know your audience.

  • For example, will you be presenting to people who are relatively new to the topic, or are you speaking at a professional event where people will have some familiarity? You’ll need to adjust your material to fit their needs. You want to avoid talking over people’s heads, but you also want to avoid giving them a lot of information they already know.
  • Similarly, your presentation will differ depending on how the audience views you. If they see you as an expert on the topic, your speech should convey that knowledge and authority.

Step 2 Determine the appropriate tone for your speech.

  • If your topic is serious in nature, you may use a grave tone. Alternatively, you might choose a humorous tone for a speech delivered at a celebratory dinner.
  • Generally you can use a conversational tone for any speech, regardless of the topic or size of the audience. Most important is to be authentic!
  • Keep in mind that you don't need to use the same tone for your entire speech. For example, your presentation may start out serious but end with a fun, interactive segment. In this case, you'd want to adjust your tone as the presentation progressed.

Step 3 Conduct research, if necessary.

  • If you know a lot about your topic, you might want to start writing your speech before doing research. This way you won’t waste time reviewing information you already know. For example, a biologist may be able to give a speech about cell division without doing additional research. Similarly, you'd likely be able to write a speech for your parents' anniversary without conducting research.
  • If you don’t know much about your topic, do a little research, and then start outlining your speech. For example, if you were giving a speech to celebrate a local landmark, you might want to look up the history of the landmark and important details before you start writing.

Step 4 Outline your speech if desired.

  • Stick to 3-5 main points in a single speech. Avoid providing so much information that the reader can’t retain it.
  • After you have a basic outline, you can make notes about what you want to say under each bullet point.
  • You don’t need to write full sentences. Just write down enough words for you to remember what you want to say.
  • An example thesis for a speech might look like this: “In this new exhibit, the artist’s personal history and passion for color come together to recreate a world that the viewer can almost touch.”

Step 5 Create a “hook” to engage your audience.

  • Ideally, your hook should come within the first 30 seconds of your speech.
  • For example, “Like you, I once struggled to organize my time. Now, I get more done in a day than I did in an entire week,” or “When I started my research, I asked myself one question: How can we achieve the impossible?”

Step 6 Add anecdotes or jokes.

  • Audiences love to hear personal stories! They are one of the best ways to make your speech engaging and to pull the audience in.
  • For example, you might start a speech about your scientific research by telling a story about a mishap from your first day in the lab.
  • You might open a training presentation at work with a joke about work meetings.

Step 7 Anticipate audience questions.

  • Consider your audience again. What do they expect to get out of your speech? What is their knowledge level? Use this information to consider what kinds of questions they may ask.

Step 8 Make presentation materials, such as note cards.

  • You may also want to jot down a few words to remind yourself of important concepts that you don’t want to forget.
  • Don’t write out full sentences, as this is more likely to trip you up. Just write the key words.
  • Note cards work well, but some people may prefer to print out an outline on paper.

Step 9 Be flexible.

  • For example, you may plan your speech for a group of experts but realize on the night of your presentation that the audience has less background knowledge than you expected. In this case, you could present less of the material you’d planned to share but provide more explanation so that a beginner will understand.

Practicing Your Delivery

Step 1 Practice your speech in the mirror.

  • You may want to film yourself more than once if you have things you want to work on.
  • Alternatively, you could have your friend watch you practice the speech and then give a critique.

Step 3 Time your speech.

  • It’s best to practice your speech a few times before you start timing it, so that your delivery is smooth. At first, you might spend a few extra seconds here and there trying to remember what it is you wanted to say.

Step 4 Memorize your main points.

  • Don’t try to memorize your whole speech. Not only is this difficult, but it can make your delivery a bit robotic. Knowing just the main points will keep your flow natural.

Step 5 Practice using your visual aids, if you have them.

  • Get used to presenting alongside your visual aids without reading directly from them, as people don't like being read to.
  • Keep in mind that there may be technical issues and you may not be able to access a powerpoint or prezi. Make sure you can deliver your speech without these things, if necessary.

Giving Your Presentation

Step 1 Mingle with the audience members before you give your speech.

  • Stand by the door and greet people.
  • Introduce yourself to people as they find their seats.
  • If you’re sitting in the audience before your speech, talk to the people around you.

Step 2 Review your notes before your speech.

  • Don’t stress! Trust yourself to remember what you need to say.

Step 3 Articulate your words.

  • It helps to breathe deeply as you’re giving your speech so that you’re less likely to talk too fast.

Step 4 Use gestures to emphasize your points.

  • However, you should avoid nervous gestures. Make sure your movements are intentional, not a result of fidgeting.

Step 5 Adjust to follow the audience’s reaction.

  • For example, if your audience is laughing at your jokes, let the room quiet down before continuing. If they aren’t laughing, but are smiling or nodding, you don’t need to cut out your jokes. Recognize that larger audiences may provide more intense reactions than smaller ones, as people feel less self-conscious in large groups.
  • If your audience seems to be lost, you might lighten your tone and give more explanations.

Step 6 Use audio-visual aids only as needed.

  • Don’t read from slides, as people don’t enjoy being read to. [13] X Research source
  • You can use audio-visual aids in fun ways to add to your presentation. For example, you might include a short video about the latest discoveries in your field. [14] X Research source

Step 7 Involve the audience.

  • Ask the audience to repeat your key phrases.
  • You could also get the audience to make a particular sound or gesture at certain points in the speech.
  • Ask the audience to offer examples or suggestions.
  • Take audience questions.

Step 8 Be yourself.

  • For example, if you are boisterous and lively in life, then be like that when you speak. However, don’t try to force yourself to act that way if it isn’t natural.

Step 9 Calm yourself if you start to feel nervous.

  • Imagine your presentation going well.
  • Focus on the purpose of your speech rather than your nervous feelings.
  • Breathe deeply to calm yourself.
  • Jog in place or wave your arms above your head to burn off nervous energy.
  • Limit your caffeine consumption before you're scheduled to present.

What Are Tips For Improving As a Public Speaker?

Speech Outline and Dos and Don'ts

being a good speaker essay

Expert Q&A

Deb DiSandro

  • Don't let being anxious or nervous lower your confidence. Embrace it by expressing it as excitement and enthusiasm. Thanks Helpful 55 Not Helpful 8
  • Remember that no one knows your speech but you. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 0
  • With every speech, speaking will become easier. Don’t give up if you mess up the first few times you give a speech. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 2

being a good speaker essay

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  • ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/9-ways-anyone-can-be-better-public-speaker-ncna779896
  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-realworldcomm/chapter/10-3-vocal-delivery/
  • ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-be-good-speaker
  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/publicspeakingprinciples/chapter/chapter-8-outlining-your-speech/
  • ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/how-to-engage-your-audience-and-keep-them-with-you
  • ↑ https://www.gvsu.edu/speechlab/practicing-presentations-33.htm
  • ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236611
  • ↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/visual-aids
  • ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/10-3-vocal-delivery/
  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-publicspeaking/chapter/gestures-and-movement/
  • ↑ https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/
  • ↑ https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder/treatment/conquering-stage-fright#

About This Article

Deb DiSandro

To be an effective public speaker, start by practicing your speech ahead of time in front of a mirror so you can see how you’ll appear to the audience. Then, make note cards you can refer to during your speech, but try to memorize the key points so you can speak smoothly to your listeners. Additionally, use gestures to emphasize your points, like holding up 1, 2, or 3 fingers to indicate your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd major idea. You should also try to engage your audience by having them ask questions or offer suggestions as part of your speech. For tips on how to prepare a speech that will capture your audience’s attention, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Grow » thrive, want to be a great public speaker these are the traits you need.

Great speakers aren’t just born that way — they actively work at getting better. Here are the eight must-have traits for a public speaker.

 Woman speaking to a group of people.

If you’re trying to improve your public speaking skills, you should study the behaviors of other great speakers. Here are the eight traits of a great public speaker — developing these skills will help you begin to hone your craft.

Confidence is one of the most important characteristics of a public speaker. It will be hard to connect with your audience if you come across as timid or overly nervous during your presentation.

A certain amount of nervousness may be inevitable, so you need to develop strategies to deal with these feelings. The best way to do that is with practice — if you know the material and spend time working on your speech, it will be easier to show up confidently.

You can also show confidence through your body language. Maintain eye contact with your audience, move around the stage, and use hand gestures to demonstrate your points.

[Read more: Leadership for Introverts: How to Lead Successfully ]

Effective communicators know how to get their points across in a succinct way. They know how to speak clearly and avoid confusing their audience. This makes it easier for the audience to absorb and take action on the information you’re sharing.

One way to be more concise is to break your presentation into smaller chunks of information. And avoid the urge to over-explain yourself and restate your points using different words.

Ability to read the room

People who are excellent public speakers are good at reading the room and picking up on the audience's nonverbal cues. For instance, you notice if they seem bored or disengaged during your speech and can adjust your presentation accordingly.

Learning how to read the room takes time because you have to get out of your head first. Stay focused on the audience and the goal of your presentation. Over time, you’ll learn how to read your audience’s micro-expressions and understand how they’re receiving the information.

[Read more: How to Improve Your Public Speaking ]

Authenticity is what allows your audience to connect with you during your speech. If your speech comes across as inauthentic, it will be harder for the audience to trust you and take your message seriously.

People can tell when you’re excited about the topic you’re speaking on, and they can also tell when you’re just going through the motions. And enthusiasm is contagious, so if you’re excited about the information, it’s more likely to rub off onto your audience.

If speaking with enthusiasm doesn’t come naturally to you, this is a skill you can develop. Work on showing enthusiasm in your voice, body movements, and the pace with which you deliver the speech.

[Read more: PowerPoint Tips and Tricks ]

Self-awareness

You need to understand your strengths and weaknesses to be an effective speaker. Know what your best qualities are and how you can use these to enhance your presentation skills.

You should also know your weak points and look for ways to minimize them. Great speakers are always looking for ways to improve and make their presentations more engaging.

Authenticity

Authenticity is what allows your audience to connect with you during your speech. If your speech comes across as inauthentic, it will be harder for the audience to trust you and take your message seriously. Focus on being yourself and telling stories that are honest and vulnerable.

Knowing how to dress

As a public speaker, your attire matters much more than you might think. You want to dress in a way that’s comfortable and fits your sense of style but also resonates with the audience. For instance, the demographic you’re speaking to will inform your clothing choice.

Adaptability

No matter how well you prepare for a speech, there’s always the potential that something could go wrong. Maybe your slide deck stops working halfway through your presentation, or you forget what you planned to say.

As a speaker, it’s essential to be adaptable and expect the unexpected. This attitude will allow you to stay calm, focus on the audience, and decide what you’re going to do next.

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being a good speaker essay

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The Top 9 Characteristics of Effective Public Speakers

being a good speaker essay

Public speaking can be terrifying , but when you care about your career progression you need to find a way to get your voice out.

Public speaking is how you can share your ideas with a large number of people, stand out from the corporate crowd, and get visibility in your field.

Unfortunately, if you’re public speaking skills are not up to par, it’s likely that no one will be focused enough on your presentation to really receive your message.

Here are 9 scientifically-proven characteristics of effective public speakers that you should emulate to become an influential and inspiring leader.

According to a study published by the University of Wolverhampton “A highly confident speaker is viewed as being more accurate, competent, credible, intelligent, knowledgeable, likable, and believable than the less confident uncertain speaker.”

When it comes to public speaking, confidence is key (not the only key mind you). When speaking in public, it’s only natural to be nervous. In fact, Mark Twain once said, “There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. The Liars.”

There are two main antidotes for anxiety

Excitement – If you’re truly excited about your subject, that feeling will shine through any nervousness you may have while you are giving your presentation.  Studies show that people who label their anxiety as excitement end up feeling more comfortable speaking.

Authenticity – Be yourself. If you have to deviate a little from your meticulously written presentation, do so! Although you should practice your speech as often as possible, you don’t want to memorize it! Memorizing a speech can cause you to fumble over a section if you didn’t say it just right.

To excel at public speaking you must do more than just defeat your nervous jitters. You must also have confidence in your subject and be yourself while you are on stage.

In order to really communicate to people through speech, you need to have passion about your subject. Without passion, your speech is meaningless. You need to exude a level of sincerity in your emotion when communicating to your audience if you want them to be moved by your presentation.

There’s no need to attempt to ‘practice’ sincerity by practicing your speech with a raised voice and waving arms. Simply focus on how you feel about your top and those that you are communicating with.

Two recent discoveries by The Gallup Organization offer insights into why passion is rare in U.S. workplaces :

  • 55% of the U.S. working population is not engaged at work.
  • 16% of the U.S. working population is actively disengaged.

It can be hard to be passionate about your topics when you present at work but aren’t really engaged in the activity. Sometimes, to show passion about a topic that doesn’t completely excite you, you need to dig deep into the topic and find things that interest you.

Be Yourself

You don’t have to be someone else on stage, all you have to do is just be yourself. Sometimes, no matter how much you believe in your message or how well you’ve rehearsed, if you don’t act like yourself in front of the group, your audience may view your speech as insincere or calculated.

If a political candidate doesn’t seem authentic, it’s not likely they’ll win an election. If a company’s social marketing strategy appears inauthentic, their sales will not go up. If you create a page on a dating website but what you write is not authentic, the people reading are likely to pick up on this inauthenticity and never contact you. Speaking is the same way.

It’s no surprise that the number of articles that mention the word “authenticity” in the headlines has dramatically risen. Authenticity is important.  Look at the trend since 2009 below.

being a good speaker essay

Source of screen shot

There are many ways to help create more ‘authentic’ speeches but a couple of methods truly shine.

Practice, not memorization – In order to ‘be yourself’ in a presentation, you shouldn’t memorize your speech in absolutes. Practice your speech as often as possible, but be willing to change up the wording. This makes it easier to change it up during the actual presentation if things aren’t going exactly as planned. Memorization can set up a barrier between you and your audience.

Speak in a natural voice – any connection you’ve made with your audience could be broken by tones that seem ‘fake’ or ‘too perfect’. In general, you should try to speak in a conversational tone. If you say few “ahhs” and “umms” that’s ok, don’t sweat it.

Voice Modulations

If you want to be more engaging as a speaker, then avoid talking in a tone that seems too well rehearsed, but you still want to take the speed and inflection of your delivery into account when you practice your speech.

Take a look at this article by the Washington Post. They discuss how the wrong tone can spoil the message of your speech.

To practice proper cadence, record yourself giving your speech and listen to it later. You’ll be able to tell exactly when and where you start to sound inauthentic.

You can still use effective voice modulations while employing your natural voice.

Keep it Short and Sweet

If you’re only given 30 minutes to give a speech, don’t force yourself to fill the entire time allotted. Say what you need to say and use any remaining time for questions or to let your audience out a little early.

The main purpose of delivering a speech is to attempt to get your point across, and that might not require a whole hour. You want to make sure that your presentation is easily digestible for those listening to you. If you can complete your speech in 15 minutes, do so, and leave any remaining time open for questions and comments.

Research conducted by Dianne Dukette and David Cornish (2009) shows that, on average, adults can only sustain attention for around 20 minutes and that their short-term response to the stimulus that attracts attention is only seconds. This means that when you stand up in front of a crowd to present, you only have eight seconds to attract the audience’s attention.  Additionally, if you’re presentation takes longer than 20 minutes then you need to break it up into smaller chunks with a maximum of 20 minutes per chunk of information.

Connect with your Audience

A speech is just like a conversation, which means you need to communicate your message to someone else. In this sense, there is no difference between talking to one person or a thousand.

The problem, however, is that we’re all subject to a large amount of information in a short period of time, and it can be difficult for you as a speaker to cut through that noise and prove that what you’re  saying really matters.

While you’re speaking people are likely on their phones, tablets, or laptops, reading emails, surfing the web, researching who you are, or maybe taking notes on your speech. It’s your job to make them put their devices down and pay attention to what you have to say.

You can’t ask them to turn off their phones, but you can make them set their phones down by creating an atmosphere that excites and engages the listeners.

The best ways to connect with your audience are;

  • Tell stories
  • Be aware of your target audience
  • Know the energy in the room
  • Be Willing to poke fun at yourself
  • Work on your non-verbal body language

Paint a Picture Through Storytelling

One of the best ways to really engage your audience is by becoming a good storyteller. This aspect of public speaking is so important I didn’t want it to simply be a bullet point in the ‘Connect with your Audience’ section.

Storytelling is a powerful tool used by the best speakers. By employing context into your speech for your audience to connect with, you’re creating an easy to listen to the atmosphere in which you are not simply shoving information at them in the hopes that they’ll retain that information.

The best presentations don’t feel like presentations, they are simply stories told by people with interesting experiences.

You can include stories of your own experiences, or use classic stories to bring context to your speech. Martin Luther King was a master at establishing a historical context for his message. Take a look at some of the most inspirational TED Talks. TED Talks, in general, are extremely story driven, and that is one of the reason they’re so popular.

For a great example of storytelling being implemented in public speaking, take a look at this presentation given by Jill Bolte Taylor .

The story is the most digestible, understood, and easy to retell communication medium in the world. A story is what really sticks in a listener’s mind.

When writing your speech, think about what you need to say in order to establish a context that your audience will understand and be able to engage with.

Repetition can help ensure your audience takes the main points away from your presentation. It promotes clarity and helps to encourage acceptance of an idea.

In order to employ repetition in your presentations, determine what you want your audience to take away from your speech. Say it. Say it again. And then say it a third time just in case anyone missed it the first couple of times.

Don’t Just Practice, Practice, Practice

Have you ever heard someone say that they want to seem authentic on stage, so they didn’t practice their speech? Although it may seem contradictory, the more you practice a presentation, the more spontaneous it will actually sound!

Of course, you have to practice it the right way though.

Take into account your environment when you practice and always practice as if you’re giving your presentation to a group of people. Speeding through your presentation on the bus in a hushed voice is more likely to hurt you than help you.

Practicing will help to make you feel more confident, and appear more authentic, thus creating a better opportunity to connect with your audience. Which, in the end, is the ultimate goal of public speaking.

In summary, the best way to give an inspiring presentation is by having a message that you believe in that the audience can connect to.  The connection between you and the audience is what allows them to truly listen to your message and be inspired.

It takes a lot of practice and experience to become a powerful public speaker, and by emulating the mentioned characteristics of effective public speakers you can become more inspiring and more influential.

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Speaking in public is no easy task, especially for those who aren’t familiar with the nuances of public speaking. Often, professionals must communicate with a broad audience, which requires an understanding of both the people listening and the topic in hand. Good speakers know that they need to speak in a way in which the audience can take in the words that they are saying, and which appeals to the crowd in more ways than one.

Good speakers, therefore, develop and possess certain qualities and personality traits that set them apart from mediocre speakers. What are these qualities? And, even if you’re not a speaker, why should you also develop them? How can these concepts help you to harness your potential and become more successful?

Here are some qualities of good speakers that can help anyone to better manage their resources and be more successful.

Qualities of a good speaker

1. They Are Well-Prepared.

One of the most important qualities of a good speaker is the ability to be prepared. When conducting any kind of public speaking, you are generally given a topic to focus on. This may be for the purpose of sharing your ideas, elaborating on your company, or just to spread the word about a certain issue.

If you are speaking, whatever topic you have been asked to cover, it is important that you are well prepared and can captivate your audience. Start by creating an outline or draft of your topic. While rehearsing, try to vary your presentation in whatever way you can because a monotonous way of speaking might bore your audience.

How does being well-prepared relate to having a successful life though? They say that success is born when preparation meets opportunity. Successful people understand how important it is to prepare for great opportunities or events. While you may be able to just go with the flow, keep in mind that achievements do not happen by chance or by going with the flow. Opportunities are routinely disguised, and your success depends on how prepared you are to seize them.

2. They Deliver Unique Messages and Ideas.

One of the qualities of a good public speaker is the ability to deliver a unique message. Audiences don't want a repeat of something that they have heard before. They want to hear a fresh new perspective and want a new take on things. Giving them a fresh perspective and a unique message can make your entire talk seem more empowering and impactful.

One of the easiest ways to deliver a unique and powerful message while speaking in public is to just stay true to yourself and your beliefs. Everyone can offer a fresh new perspective on life and elaborating on that can help you develop a unique message.

However, this is easier said than done. While no one is born with the ability to always be unique, and no one can come up with innovative ideas all the time, some people are naturally more creative than others. For some, it’s going to be difficult to be the outstanding one among millions of others, so it’s important that you know that you may struggle at first. But also know that you can achieve your best thoughts and ideas through research and preparation.

3. They Provide Actionable Content.

Provide actionable content

A good public speaker doesn't always deliver a speech or talk just to pass the time. Their public speeches are generally designed to help the audience to improve on what they do or the way in which they think.

The best example of this is someone talking about their new start-up business. Imagine they have the opportunity to talk to a large audience about the new company and all that it does. They can focus on simply getting information across to the audience but will greatly improve engagement if they use an action-oriented approach, providing advice for the audience to take away.

Great ideas don’t mean much without implementation and practical steps. For leaders or entrepreneurs, this means giving actionable tasks to your employees, turning big vague goals into smaller achievable ones.

4. They Can Make the Complex Simple.

Sometimes, an individual has stand in front of a large audience and explain a concept that is not exactly simple. While you as a public speaker may be able to grasp the concept of what you are talking about, the audience may not always follow the logic.

One quality good speakers possess is the ability to make even the most complex of theories simple. Remember that your audience might not even know the basics of what you are talking about, and you should draft your speech in a way that allows them to understand everything from the very beginning.

In life, people are drawn to simplicity more than ever before. Making the complex simple is key to achieving better results in many different jobs today. This is why the ability to make anything simple for you, for your team, or for your clients is crucial.

“The definition of genius is taking the complex and making it simple.” ― Albert Einstein

Charismatic speaker

5. They Are Charismatic.

One of the hardest things to do is to captivate your audience while talking in public. The best approach to this doesn't have anything to do with the subject matter you are addressing, but rather the way in which you deliver your message. This is called charisma .

The main point to keep in mind here is that to captivate your audience you need to sound relatable in the way you talk, and be confident in the way you move. Maintaining eye contact, standing tall with great posture and using appropriate hand gestures and facial expressions is always important. The pace at which you talk can also make a significant difference.

In business dealings, charisma counts. A lot. If you want to impress your clients, this will be one of the most important skills to master. You will need extraordinary skills in both verbal and non-verbal communication .

If being confident and charismatic in the way you talk to people isn’t in your nature, there’s no need to force yourself. Don’t fidget or look distracted. Just be authentic and genuine while learning how to use positive body language can be a great start.

6. They Are Always Open to Questions.

Public speakers often shy away from questions because they don’t want to know immediately how the audience perceives the talk that they are giving. This, however, reduces engagement with the listeners. One important point in public speaking is to always be open to questions so that you can engage more with your audience.

Successful people encourage feedback. They pay attention to what is being said to them and listen with interest and an open mind. They act and answer questions with empathy . They are empowered by positive feedback, and they thrive on negative feedback. They learn to control the urge to be defensive. They are open to sentiment and criticism while not taking it too personal.

7. They Share Instead of Sell, Give Instead of Take.

This is one point that applies to those who are going to be speaking in public about their company, profession or product. Instead of trying to sell your product or idea, try to share your thoughts on it. This makes the talk seem more genuine and can result in the audience opting for what you have to offer. This also helps the audience relate to you or your company more.

Doing whatever it takes to get what you want isn’t the approach to success. A better path to success lies in the balance between give and take. Adam Grant suggests in his book " Give and Take " that some of the most successful people are givers, not takers. So, it’s safe to say that one of the best qualities to cultivate to be more successful lies is giving back to a community and to the people around you.

This is what I find most magnetic about successful givers: they get to the top without cutting others down, finding ways of expanding the pie that benefit themselves and the people around them.

― Adam M. Grant

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide to Interpersonal Skills eBooks.

The Skills You Need Guide to Interpersonal Skills

Develop your interpersonal skills with our series of eBooks. Learn about and improve your communication skills, tackle conflict resolution, mediate in difficult situations, and develop your emotional intelligence.

About the Author

Gigi is a creative introvert, inspired writer and digital marketer based in Thailand. With her background in business management, she has been writing about small business, start-ups, and Digi-career improvement since 2012.

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7 Qualities of a Good Public Speaker that Every Presenter Should Know (And Emulate)

7-Qualities-of-a-Good-Public-Speaker-That-Every-Presenter-Should-Know-And-Emulate

What are the most important qualities of a good public speaker? Also, what makes a great presenter? What are the qualities that allow one orator to get up in front of an audience and memorize the crowd while another fails? Well, science may offer the answer to these questions.

When I first started teaching the Fearless Presentations ® classes, I did so because I knew from my own experience that the more self-confident a presenter appears to an audience, the more respect that the audience will have for that presenter. In addition, chapter one of my first book was about enthusiasm, because I knew that out of all of the characteristics of a good speaker, enthusiasm was the absolute, most important.

Over the years, though, our instructors have worked with over 20,000 presenters. Some had a natural presence in front of groups. Others, however, had to develop a public speaking skill in order to be perceived as being a great public speaker.

Below are the seven qualities of a good public speaker that we have identified as the most important. In addition to our observations as public speaking coaches, we have also added the scientific proof that we also uncovered along the way.

Want to beat stage fright, articulate with poise, and land your dream job? Take the 2-minute public speaking assessment and get the Fearless Presenter’s Playbook for FREE!

Self-Confidence

“People judge your competence by the confidence that you show.” — Doug Staneart

Self-Confidence

Your nonverbal behaviors such as stance, gestures, and eye contact are critical not only for conveying and reinforcing your messages, but they serve as the foundation of your audience’s assessments of your confidence.” So, basically, your audience looks at the way that you present (not just the things that you say) to figure out if you really know what you are talking about. If you look self-confident, they will be more likely to trust that you are the expert on the topic.

So how do you build self-confidence as a public speaker? Well, in the Fearless Presentations ® class , we help participants achieve a series of presentation successes. Anytime you try something and have success, you will build self-confidence. Anytime you have a failure, you will lose confidence. So, a class is an excellent way to build confidence as a speaker.

Poise Under Pressure

Poise-Under-Pressure

Back in 2011, Taylor Clark wrote an entire book about the science behind this phenomenon. The book is called Nerve: Poise Under Pressure, Serenity Under Stress, and the Brave New Science of Fear and Cool . Clark explains that most people focus entirely on trying to eliminate fear in a process. However, if you aren’t feeling fear, you are not growing. (See Why Do I Still Feel Nervous? for more details about this.) Fear is a powerful motivator if you use it correctly. Instead of avoiding situations where you feel fear, embrace them. Use them as a way to improve yourself. Face these situations with poise, and your audience will respect you a great deal.

Enthusiasm and Energy

When I wrote the first draft of the textbook for Fearless Presentations ® way back in 2002, I started chapter two with the Secret to Great Presentations .

If you take only one piece of advice from this book, make sure that it is the pearl of wisdom in this chapter. If you focus on this one simple thing, the number of times you say “uhm” won’t matter. Focus on this one thing, and your gestures and not knowing what to do with your hands won’t matter. If you focus on this one thing, then the occasional loss of train of thought won’t matter. In fact, if you focus on this one simple thing, you can break just about every rule that public speakers are supposed to abide by, and you will still win over your audience. This one simple rule has transformed countless mediocre speakers into good speakers, scores of good speakers into great speakers, and numerous great speakers into world-class speakers. This simple rule that can make or break a speaker is … enthusiasm .

This statement is even more true today. You can break every rule in public speaking, and as long as you are excited and speak with passion, your audience will still love you.

The Stanford study also confirmed what we identified about enthusiasm. “For authenticity, Zandan’s team has found that the top 10% of authentic speakers were considered to be 1.3 times more trustworthy and 1.3 times more persuasive than the average communicator. Authenticity is made up of the passion and warmth that people have when presenting. Passion comes from exuding energy and enthusiasm.”

The Ability to Use Stories and Examples to Make Points

Using-Stories-to-Make-Points-in-a-presentation

We spend a lot of time in our classes helping participants get really good at using stories in their presentations. Why do we do it? Easy. When a presenter gets into a story, he/she will reduce their nervousness dramatically. As a result, the presenter appears more confident and more poised . In addition, it is easier to appear enthusiastic when you are telling a good story. So, this skill, in and of itself, will help with all four of the top qualities of a good public speaker !

For additional details, see Speak Persuasively .

“Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated.” ― Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Brevity-in-a-presentation-is-critical

One of the things that I sometimes hear when I introduce this concept to classes is, “Doug, but my audiences are pretty intelligent. They will remember a lot more than the average person.” This study dispels that myth as well. Out of the entire study group, only one person in the entire study remembered all of the items in the list. The odds of your entire audience being made up of that tiny subset of participants is really, really low.

My favorite brevity quote of all time, though is…

“A good speech should be like a woman’s skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Audience Focus

Audience-Focused-Speeches

Dr. Michelle Mazur wrote in her article published in Fast Company , “Exceptional public speaking is never about the speaker. Yet it’s easy to see yourself as the star of the presentation… When you make the audience the star of your presentation, your reach rises, your impact increases, and your bottom-line blossoms.”

I agree totally with Dr. Mazur. When I am sitting in the audience, I don’t want the speaker to spend a ton of my time talking about things that are only interesting to him or her. I have my own problems. If you help solve one of those problems, I will listen. I suspect that you feel the same way. Guess what? Your audiences also feel this way.

Showmanship

Are you not entertained?! That is one of the greatest scenes from a movie. It reminds us that, sometimes we forget that the purpose of our speech is not only to inform but to also entertain. In fact, I will sometimes have class members tell me that their audiences don’t want any of the “fluff,” they just want only the facts. I always laugh. I typically follow up with a simple question. “Other than a business presentation, give me one other area of your life where you pay closer attention if the activity is less entertaining?” I’ve never gotten even a single answer to that one.

I believe that this final quality of a good speaker is one of the main things that sets Fearless Presentations ® graduates apart from other presenters. Our graduates understand the value of showmanship. If you want to make your presentations more entertaining, we invite you to participate in one of our upcoming classes. You can find details at The Best Public Speaking Class in the World! .

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What Great Listeners Actually Do

  • Jack Zenger
  • Joseph Folkman

being a good speaker essay

It’s about more than keeping quiet.

What makes a good listener? Most people think is comes down to three components: not interrupting the speaker, following along with facial expressions, and being able to repeat back almost verbatim what the speaker has just said. According to research from Zenger and Folkman, however, we’re doing it all wrong. Instead of thinking of a good listener as a sponge —absorbing everything but providing little feedback — a skilled listener should be thought of as a trampoline who amplifies and supports a speaker’s thoughts by providing constructive feedback. Engaging in a two-way conversation is essential, according to data, and Zenger and Folkman define six levels of listening, all meant to help listeners develop this skill.

Chances are you think you’re a good listener.  People’s appraisal of their listening ability is much like their assessment of their driving skills , in that the great bulk of adults think they’re above average.

  • Jack Zenger is the CEO of Zenger/Folkman, a leadership development consultancy. He is a coauthor of the October 2011 HBR article “ Making Yourself Indispensable ” and the book The New Extraordinary Leader: Turning Good Managers into Great Leaders (McGraw Hill, 2019). Connect with Jack on LinkedIn .
  • Joseph Folkman is the president of Zenger/Folkman, a leadership development consultancy. He is a coauthor of the October 2011 HBR article “ Making Yourself Indispensable ” and the book The Trifecta of Trust: The Proven Formula for Building and Restoring Trust (River Grove, 2022). Connect with Joe on LinkedIn .

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5 Things I Did To Become A Better Speaker

AnthonyleeGMC

AnthonyleeGMC

Age of Awareness

Nobody borns with great public speaking skills. But we can gain it.

Public Speaking is the fear of 77% population and usually be called a Glossophobia phenomenon.

But when we can get over this fear, a variety of opportunities will be opened.

Personally, I am not an extrovert person who wants to connect and talk in front of many people, however, after 27 years, life teaches me so many valuable lessons and one of them is being an extrovert person is something that I MUST BE .

At least for the people who want/work in the education and business fields as I am doing now.

Let think if you are a lecturer who wants to share your insights with thousands of students but you are afraid of public speaking!

Or if you have a great business plan and product that is ready for the funding round to raise million dollars but you are so afraid to stand on the stage to share your vision and strategies with the investors.

A good public speaking skill will help you a lot and give you a chance to go closer to your goals in these fields — being a great lecturer or giving a great speech in your funding round.

The following list is 5 things that I did and keeps practicing for years to improve my public speaking skills. And…

AnthonyleeGMC

Written by AnthonyleeGMC

Check my blogs for educational content about how to “Be Better 0.1% Per Day” at web: anthonylecturer.com .

Text to speech

9 Ways That Anyone Can Be a Better Public Speaker

Some people seem to glow when they’re given a microphone and are asked to give a toast or a speech, while others of us would much rather sprint as fast as possible in the opposite direction.

The important lesson here is nervousness is actually perfectly normal, Marjorie L. North, a speech pathologist and lecturer at Harvard University, tells NBC News BETTER. (And that person who looks totally at ease is likely going through — or has at some point previously — felt the same exact way.)

“When your heart starts pounding, you’re sweating, your hands are shaking, your knees are shaking, and you feel like you’re going to pass out — that’s the way everybody feels,” says North, who has been teaching public speaking courses for more than 35 years.

Speaking in front of a large crowd is not a natural activity for anyone; to get better at it, you need to learn how to do it, prepare and practice, she explains. “It’s a skill, not a talent.”

Your personality of course has something to do with how you approach speaking in front of people — whether that’s a crowd of thousands or a boardroom full of your bosses and colleagues. People who are more introverted tend to keep a lot of ideas in their heads and on top of mind to keep their brain from getting bored, rather than relying on other people or activities to keep their minds occupied, Jadzia Jagiellowicz, PhD (Psch), a cognitive psychologist, told NBC — “they have an exciting ‘inner life.’” And that’s why too much stimulation and excitement (for example a full room of people whose eyes and attention are all focused on you) can be overwhelming for people who are more introverted, she says.

The brains of people who are more extroverted work the opposite way. Excitement and stimulation — like engaging in a spirited conversation or giving a presentation — energizes people who are extroverted, rather than being overwhelming, Jagiellowicz says.

It may be more likely that extroverts will feel comfortable in front of a crowd, but it still takes skill and practice to speak effectively in a way that engages your audience, North says. Even in smaller, less formal situations you can train yourself to be a better communicator, she adds.

There’s no one checklist that will turn you into a great public speaker overnight. It takes practice, preparation and it helps to get feedback, North says. But remembering these key principles is a good place to start in terms of becoming a better communicator in any situation.

Microphone

1. Be OK with being nervous.

Even the biggest extroverts among us get the jitters from time to time, North explains. Feeling shy and nervous are feelings, not personality traits. And we all face such feelings when we find ourselves in situations that make us uncomfortable, North says. (Some research suggests that it’s actually our past experiences — particularly those from our childhoods — that play a much more significant role in whether or not we feel shy in different situations more so than whether we are introverted or extroverted.)

Feeling shy and nervous are feelings, not personality traits.

The trick is recognizing that nerves are normal and not letting them stop you from speaking confidently, North says. “It’s a natural part of the public speaking process.”

2. Put your audience first.

Remember, the point of giving a toast, a presentation or a speech is about communicating your message to your audience. It’s not about you, Carol Fleming, PhD, a San Francisco-based communications coach and author of It's the Way You Say It and The Serious Business of Small Talk, tells NBC.

You have to give yourself to your audience. Any second you spend being self-conscious, you’re not paying attention to your audience, she says. “The good speaker is the one who leans forward and says who are you? What do you need? How can I help you?”

3. Prepare.

Plan ahead. Take the time to figure out the best way to tailor your message to your audience — what approach will keep your listeners attention and resonate with them? North asks. Think of a strong introduction that will grab listeners’ attention. And craft a thoughtful conclusion so listeners leave remembering what the key points you want them to take away.

being a good speaker essay

Careers Your 7-Step Guide to Navigating Social Anxiety at a Networking Event

Preparing for less formal conversation — such as a dinner party with new neighbors, a networking event or a meeting at work — is definitely different from preparing for a formal speech, Fleming adds. But planning ahead can still help. Thinking about points you might want to make about a project at work before a meeting with the higher ups will help you feel more confident when it’s time to voice your opinion. And knowing a little bit about fellow party guests ahead of time can make it easier to land on conversations you’re both engaged in.

4. Outline (don’t script).

If possible, outline what you plan to say rather than write out your speech word-for-word, North adds. “It allows the language you use to be more natural, it allows your voice to be much more natural and eye contact is better.”

Plus, not reading your speech from a script makes you look more competent and confident because it shows that you really know your stuff, North adds. “You’re speaking to them about it. I could get up there and read a script from a paper without knowing anything about it,” she says.

Man rehearsing at podium

5. Practice.

Winging it doesn’t work for even the best public speaker out there. That’s when the nerves crop up, explains Jim Kohli, an international director of Toastmasters and a principal architect at GE Healthcare. Practice your speech or presentation out loud ahead of time so you feel comfortable with the words you’re saying and the way they sound coming out of your mouth. And if you can get feedback from a friend, family member or colleague, an outside perspective can be really helpful, says Kohli — who, before joining Toastmasters 15 years ago, says he would have described himself as a “wallflower” in situations where he had to speak to a group larger than five to 10 close friends. “It will take patience and time,” he says.

And don’t forget that communicating — to both large and small groups, formally and informally — is like exercising a muscle. The more speeches you give and the more conversations you have, the more confident you’ll feel the next time you’re in that situation, Kohli says. (That’s the principle Toastmasters is based on.) Speaking to smaller audiences and getting feedback is what makes you feel more comfortable speaking to a larger audience, he says. “There’s no quick fix.”

Whether you’re talking one-on-one or to an audience of a thousand people, communicating is a two-way activity — both parties need to be engaged. When you’re trying to engage listeners in less formal conversations, a good communicator listens to what others are saying before speaking up, North explains. Establish a connection to what they’re saying so you answer questions appropriately and add your own thoughts after that. If you’re trying to make small talk, find a topic you both share an interest in, whether it’s family, hobbies, work, travel or books.

Whether you’re talking one-on-one or to an audience of a thousand people, communicating is a two-way activity — both parties need to be engaged.

And when you’re in front of a larger group of people giving a more formal talk or speech, watch for visual cues from the audience. Are people yawning or rolling their eyes? Does your audience look bored? Maybe that means you might want to skip unnecessary details rather than just plunging ahead, North explains.

7. Make eye contact with your audience.

This is important whether you’re speaking or listening, North says. It communicates to both listener and speaker that you’re engaged and you care. “Your personality comes through much better and you look more competent and confident.”

And if you’re addressing a large crowd, remember good eye contact doesn’t mean just finding the one smiling face to stare down for the duration of your talk, North says. Look at everyone.

8. Stand up straight.

We’re not talking toy soldier straight, but if you’re in front of a crowd (no matter what size) good posture helps support your voice, North says. Plant your feet on the ground and distribute your weight evenly between them. Don’t cross your legs, North adds — “even behind a podium, you can tell.”

And don’t rock, she says. It’s a surefire way to draw attention to what you look like rather than what you’re saying.

9. Be yourself.

If you act confident, listeners won’t notice nerves. They will notice if you’re being fake, North says. (Think of those cheesy smiles four-year-olds are told to plaster on their faces for their first dance recitals. Don’t be that four-year-old.)

“I’m somebody who uses my hands all the time when I talk, so gestures come easy to me — I actually can’t talk without them,” North says. But if you try to add gestures to emphasize a point and they’re not natural, they’re going to look artificial. Be yourself, let who you are come through and have fun, North adds — that’s the only way your audience will, too.

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Public Speaking Essay | Importance of Public Speaking Skills, How To Improve Public Speaking?

December 24, 2021 by Prasanna

Public Speaking Essay: Public speaking is an important part of today’s life. If a person can master the art of public speaking then there is a lot of chance for him or her to make a successful career in life. In whichever field you look at today, public speaking is very important to establish your identity and brand image. We need to know what public speaking is and why we need to master it. Public speaking refers to delivering some important topic in front of a group audience. This group could be small or at times big. But the main objective of public speaking is to catch the attention of the audience and convince them of the idea that the speaker wants to convey. This task is not very easy.

One may think that public speaking is easy as he has the knowledge on a particular subject but there are a lot of intricate things one needs to take care of. Some common mistakes are very often committed by people while delivering a topic on public speaking. All knowledgeable persons can’t become good public speakers. So the first step to public speaking is to go through the process systematically and master the skill. Public speaking is an art so it needs to be learned both in theory and practice. It is a test of an individual’s knowledge and expertise in certain fields. It also helps to develop an individual’s communication skills and confidence. This is a very basic thing and one needs to practice a lot to improve the oratorical skills.

You can also find more  Essay Writing  articles on events, persons, sports, technology and many more.

Long Essay on Public Speaking

Public Speaking Skills

A good public speaker must have the required skills to create a substantial impact on the audience by communicating his points clearly and by building a connection with the audience. The key to success in public speaking depends on the expressions and body language of the speaker which helps to keep him connected to the audience while speaking. To be a successful public speaker one needs to work on the content as well. The content has to be different from boring lectures overflowing with data and facts but should be made interesting to draw the attention of the audience. This can be done by adding some inspiring and motivational stories, quotes, and real-life examples within the speech.

Another important aspect is to create an environment for effective interaction between the speaker and the audience. It is a special skill of a good public speaker to keep the audience involved all the time so that their mind can never get diverted. The effectiveness of public speaking depends primarily on the speaking skills that keep the audience engaged and engrossed in the topic being discussed. These speaking skills involve some modulation and variations in voice, expression, and delivery. The purpose is to draw the attention of an audience and get you noticed in front of a large gathering.

The Trend in Public Speaking

In the current scenario, public speaking has become a successful career in terms of earning opportunities. People want to hear from certain eminent personalities about their experience and their journey towards success. It is also a professional approach adopted by many coaches and guides to building a brand of their own by appearing as public speakers in a gathering of selected people. It has become a part of organizational culture to conduct sessions for working professionals where an expert public speaker is invited to provide insights into some topics of relevance in a motivational and interesting manner.

One aspect is to provide the audience with some updated knowledge but the main motive is to make the people present in the session more charged and motivated in work with some increased energy. The success of a public speaker depends on how well he can influence the thought process, views, ideas, and corresponding actions of the people after attending the session.

Essay on Public Speaking

Short Essay on Public Speaking

Opportunities in Public Speaking

There are plenty of situations where good public speaking skills are required, be it in a social or organizational setup. You might be asked to make a speech at an award function or in a cultural event or talk to a group of volunteers or recruits. In the virtual platform, speaking to an audience also includes online presentations or discussions, consulting a team, or speaking to a group of customers in an online meeting. Showing good public speaking skills helps to open up new career opportunities and build your identity in social circles as well.

Strategies for Public Speaking

To become a better public speaker, one has to use the following strategies:

Plan appropriately: Work on the content that can resonate with your audience. As a good speaker, you need to intrigue your audience from the very beginning. It is better to start with an interesting fact, headline, or story in the context of what you’re going to talk about.

Engage with the audience: It is necessary as a speaker to keep everyone involved with your speech so that you don’t feel isolated from the audience. It is very effective to interact and ask questions and encourage people to participate and give feedback.

Pay attention to body language: The gestures and body language of a speaker generates positive vibes to the audience constantly. The confidence and belief can be communicated to the audience through your body language and voice. Instead of standing, walk around and present yourself as more active and passionate.

Think positively: A positive approach with confidence brings effective results in public speaking. The primary focus should be that you’re trying to help a group of people in some way, so convey your message in a more meaningful way.

The essence of public speaking lies in the way you create awareness and educate others to bring some tangible results. As a public speaker, you must ensure your communication is always natural, confident, and authentic.

FAQ’s on Public Speaking Essay

Question 1. How are the main types of public speaking?

Answer: There are mainly three types of speeches public speakers use to influence their audience. The informative speech conveys information, the persuasive speech motivates people to take action and the special occasion speech is given to commemorate a person or event.

Question 2. How one must practice the habit of public speaking to gain confidence?

Answer: One of the best ways to practice public speaking is to be involved in situations that require public speaking, such as volunteering to speak at team meetings and events.

Question 3. How do voice modulation and pace of speech help in building engagement with the audience?

Answer: A vocal variation in volume, pause and pacing can help to break the monotony of speech and create better engagement with the audience.

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  • UB’s Martinez is one of 8 people worldwide being recognized for contributing to health equity by fighting to eliminate hepatitis globally

UB’s Martinez is one of 8 people worldwide being recognized for contributing to health equity by fighting to eliminate hepatitis globally

Anthony Martinez is standing in a hallway outside an exam room where there is a poster on the wall about pregnancy and hepatitis C.

Anthony Martinez, MD, directs the “La Bodega” hepatology clinic at Erie County Medical Center, which has treated more than 5,000 patients since its opening in 2013.  Photo: Sandra Kicman

In treating hepatitis and addiction at the same time, his “La Bodega” clinic has attracted attention from the NIH as a potential model for the nation

by Dirk Hoffman

Release Date: September 11, 2024

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Anthony D. Martinez, MD , associate professor of medicine in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, is one of just eight individuals worldwide being recognized by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination as 2024 Elimination Champions working to eliminate hepatitis globally.

The award “recognizes outstanding individuals in acknowledgment of their contributions to health equity in the fight for global hepatitis elimination.” Awardees were recognized for having been responsible for “substantial and demonstrable improvements in hepatitis prevention, testing, care and treatment in their country or community.”

Martinez directs the “La Bodega” hepatology clinic at Erie County Medical Center, which has treated more than 5,000 patients since its opening in 2013. He has received multiple honors both nationally and globally for developing and leading a novel “co-localized” model for managing viral hepatitis and addiction disorders.

“Our work may not fix most of what is broken in the world, but our hope is to make some progress in equity in our society,” Martinez said in his acceptance interview with the coalition. “Most importantly, this award honors the team and it’s a great tribute to our patients. These folks have no idea how they have changed the world. They are the foundation for every single thing that we do.”

He notes the walls of La Bodega are inscribed with thousands of names and messages that have been left by all of the patients who were treated there and are now cured of HCV.

“Those names urge us on, a constant reminder of who we are fighting for,” he says. “I think that’s what this award is about: the people who have made us.”

Because liver disease and addiction disorders are often connected, Martinez structured La Bodega as a comprehensive hepatology clinic that has a built-in addiction medicine program; it utilizes an outreach team of social workers who partner with addiction facilities.

This year, the clinic has treated almost 300 patients, including high-risk pregnant women, using a new same-day, rapid-start model for HCV treatment.

“We are currently one of the only models implementing a rapid-approach start in the country (and globally) at this volume,” he says.

The program has twice been awarded a New York State Department of Health Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award in honor of World AIDS Day.

Martinez’s clinic has also attracted national attention. Last winter, a senior adviser to the National Institutes of Health and the White House visited La Bodega to see how the program works and how it could be a model for national HCV elimination.  

La Bodega will also soon acquire the newly FDA-approved point-of-care testing machines, which will contribute to the rapid diagnosis of HCV and could accelerate elimination efforts.

“We are in the final stages of acquiring two machines and implementing an outreach program in the addiction, incarceration and post-incarceration settings,” Martinez says.

Martinez and his colleagues continue to spread the word about novel approaches to treating HCV and addiction disorders.

Over the past year, the team has presented nationally and internationally at about two dozen conferences, with more presentations coming up at the California Street Medicine Symposium; the International Conference of Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users; and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases conference.

“This achievement is a true testament to Dr. Martinez’s hard work, dedication to patient care and commitment to the field,” says  Ramon E. Rivera, MD , assistant professor of medicine and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. “He has not only made us proud locally, but has also become a great ambassador for the University at Buffalo on a global scale.”

Samuel D. Cloud, DO, chief medical officer of Erie County Medical Center, is particularly appreciative of Martinez and his team’s dedication to ECMC’s mission and the patients they care for.

He adds: “There is no question that Dr. Martinez’s brainchild, La Bodega, has garnered widespread recognition for its pioneering approach to co-localized care. Most importantly, and what is reinforced every day, is the tremendously positive impact these efforts have had on our patients’ quality of life.” Cloud is also assistant clinical professor of emergency medicine in the Jacobs School.

Martinez works in the  Division of  Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition  at the Jacobs School and sees patients through  UBMD Internal Medicine .

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Ellen Goldbaum News Content Manager Medicine Tel: 716-645-4605 [email protected]

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