(This list of speech skills and terminology is part of the Speak For Success Course, a series of six speech lessons designed to help you shape up your speech. Visit the starting page of the Speak for Success course to find out more.)
For your convenience, this list of speech skills and terminology includes reference to the Speak For Success Speech Lesson each skill or term is a part of, as well as definitions.
Clarity – speaking clearly so as to be understood. Clarity is composed of several different related speech skills: (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 1, Speech Lesson 2 and Speech Lesson 5).
Projection – speaking loudly enough so that every member of the audience can hear what is said.
Enunciation – fully pronouncing each syllable of each word with the proper emphasis (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 1).
Pronunciation – correctly pronouncing each word.
Expression – speaking with vocal variety and vitality so that the audience remains interested (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 3).
Pace – speaking at a rate that is comfortable for the audience to hear and comprehend (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 4).
Fillers – Using meaningless words or sounds that distract the audience (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 2).
Slang – Informal language that is specific to a particular group (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 5).
Buzzwords – Words or phrases that sound important but have become meaningless through endless repetition (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 5).
Acronyms – Sets of initials used as shorthand to refer to particular phrases (such as C.E.O. for Chief Executive Officer) (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 5).
Active Listening – Participating in the act of communication by paying attention and letting the speaker know that you’re paying attention (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 6).
Stance – Presenting and maintaining an appropriate posture to facilitate communication (covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 6).
Eye-contact – Just what you think it is. When speaking to an audience of more than one, it’s important to make eye contact with as many individual members of the audience as possible ((covered in Speak for Success Speech Lesson 6).
Click on the link for any Speech Lesson above to go to that Speech Lesson.
