THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

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“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I have come to bury Caesar not to praise him.”Thus spoke Antony at the marketplace in Rome at the funeral of Caesar where he destroyed Brutus saying, “But Brutus is an honorable man.” “These words are not same in the archives of history but they were those of William Shakespeare as a dialogue for his play, but they have become proverbial and recognized as one of the finest pieces of public oration preserved in history. Public speaking is one of the most common mean of communicating ideas to group of people. Its a fairly technical and highly profitable skill. Everyday thousand of speeches are delivered throughout the world. Most of these who make these speeches are average people they are neither world leaders nor celebrities. Public speaking is mostly playing with the words, making the audience receive every bit of it. It is verbal acrobacy that every sentence is followed by suspense eliciting curiosity.
Public speaking is rightly termed as artistry of words .history testifies that who-ever spoke well would find the mediocre follow him. So leadership and public speaking are inseparable. A bird eye view of history reveals that exceptional oratory of some renowned leaders did play a critical role in making their impression on the pages of history. Hitler would inspire frenzy in his audience by his gesticulation, use of words and accented delivery.
Likewise, in the last century, Sir Winston Churchill, who had the remarkable gift of oratory and public speaking, did make a lasting stature among political figures. Throughout his public career he displayed such a command over the use of words and phrases that they became proverbs and slogans. He used inspirational quotations extensively which certainly enriched English literature.
An example at home of remarkable speech at a historic moment, penetrating the minds and souls of the audience, was the soul stirring address by president Ayub Khan, when India attacked Pakistan. The words “the enemy does not realize as which nation has we challenged a nation whose hearts purstatement …….with the faith, “La Illaha Illallah”. Kindler the nation as splay as needed.
Clarity of thought and spiritual involvement in the speech do assure success and proper communication for example, our great Quaid, Muhammad Ali Jinnah used to deliver his speeches in slow and measured tone explaining and elucidating his points with clarity and correctness. There was no drama or demagogy involved but despite this exception to the rule of public speaking, it worked like a magic.
For a speaker in general, and a college –level speaker in particular following checklist for controlling stage fright would be prettily handy.
. Research your speech thoroughly.
. Prepare the material in an organized and interesting fashion.
. Practice and then practice some more.
. Take deep breaths by beginning.
. Get organized at the podium.
. Gesticulate your speech properly.
. Give life –like conversational touch.
. Be natural and lively.
. Be sure of the perfect performance.
. View the audience as your friends.
As Muslim we should take art of public speaking into earnest for Allah (SWT) Almighty has specially mentioned this of His blessing in the Holy Quran in Sura (W) Al-Rahman. Allah (SWT) says, He hath created ___________ man. He hath taught him utterance.
As public speaking has been sanctified and given celestial status in the scripture, we should take it into earnest.

Zaeem Haider Tirmazi