How to Speak Eloquently

A successful speaker knows that the most important part of public speaking is making sure that the audience remembers the speech for days after hearing it. An eloquent speech is sure to be one that is remembered. A speech should be expressive and articulate in order to be eloquent. Follow the steps below to speak eloquently during the next speech you give.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Listen to classic speeches such as "I Have a Dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. or "Day of Infamy" by Franklin D. Roosevelt. These speeches were spoken so eloquently that they have become two of the most famous speeches from recent history.

2. Memorize a few quotes that sound eloquent to you and incorporate these quotes into your speech. Even though they are quotes, it gives the audience the impression that you are the eloquent speaker.

3. Practice your timing during your speech. Pacing can add a lot of eloquence to a speech. You can quickly win over an audience by having good timing. Keep a pause slightly longer than is conversationally comfortable, but not too long where it sounds overdone.

4. Make sure that you know how to pronounce all of the words in your speech. You should be completely confident with the pronunciation of the words, making sure that you don't stumble.

5. Use rhetorical questions to stir the audience's attention and make them feel more involved in the speech. Rhetorical questions are easy to remember and sound powerful and eloquent when used appropriately.

6. Be prepared for any type of problems that may arise during the speech. Whether it be a technical malfunction or an unexpected question from the audience, you need to make sure you can handle whatever problem happens in an eloquent manner. Brainstorm on the problems that could happen, and figure out how you can handle this confidently and eloquently.