10 PUBLIC SPEAKING LESSONS FROM TED TALKS
Public speaking is a skill that can benefit anyone, whether you’re a CEO, student, or community leader. TED Talks are a great resource for learning about public speaking, with many talks that provide excellent examples of how to give a compelling speech.
In this article, we’ll cover 15 public speaking lessons from TED Talks that can help you become a better speaker. We’ll also recommend that you take public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School to further improve your skills.
- Connect with your audience: One of the most crucial aspects of public speaking is connecting with your audience. Whether it’s through humor, storytelling, or emotion, great speakers know how to engage their listeners. An excellent example of this is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk on the danger of a single story, where she uses personal stories to illustrate her points. To learn how to connect with your audience, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Use body language effectively: Body language can be a powerful tool in public speaking, conveying confidence, authority, and enthusiasm. In her TED Talk on power posing, Amy Cuddy explains how standing in a powerful position can actually change the chemistry in your brain and increase your confidence. To learn how to use body language effectively, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Keep your message simple: When it comes to public speaking, less is often more. Trying to cram too much information into your speech can overwhelm your audience and make them tune out. In his TED Talk on the art of storytelling, Andrew Stanton explains the power of telling a simple story with a clear message. If you need help simplifying your message, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Tell stories: People love stories, and using storytelling in your speeches can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. In her TED Talk on vulnerability, Brené Brown shares personal stories that resonate with her audience and make her message more relatable. To learn how to tell stories effectively, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Be authentic: Authenticity is crucial in public speaking. If you try to be someone you’re not, your audience will sense it and tune out. In her TED Talk on creativity, Elizabeth Gilbert discusses the pressure of living up to her previous success and the importance of staying true to yourself. To learn how to be authentic in your speeches, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Use visuals effectively: Visual aids can be a great way to enhance your speeches, but they can also be a distraction if not used correctly. In his TED Talk on global population growth, Hans Rosling uses dynamic visuals to make his data come to life. To learn how to use visuals effectively in your speeches, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Use repetition: Repetition can be a powerful tool in public speaking, helping to reinforce your message and make it stick in your audience’s minds. In his “I Have a Dream” speech, Martin Luther King Jr. used repetition to drive home his message of equality and justice. To learn how to use repetition in your speeches, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Be passionate: Passion is contagious, and when you’re passionate about your message, your audience will be too. In his TED Talk on creativity, Ken Robinson’s passion for education shines through, making his message more compelling. To learn how to be more passionate in your speeches, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Practice, practice, practice: It’s often said that practice makes perfect, and this is certainly true when it comes to public speaking. The more you practice your speech, the more comfortable and confident you will be when you deliver it. In his TED Talk on the power of vulnerability, Brené Brown talks about the importance of practicing vulnerability and how it can help us connect with others. To learn how to practice effectively, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
- Use vocal variety: Using different tones, volumes, and speeds can add interest and emotion to your speech. In his TED Talk on the power of vulnerability, Brené Brown uses vocal variety to emphasize different points and keep her audience engaged. To learn how to use vocal variety effectively, consider taking public speaking classes from Fordax Public Speaking School.
