SpeechTraining

Posts Tagged ‘informal speech’

People learn how to tell lies at an early age and become more skilled at doing so as they get older. Not surprisingly, it is not easy to detect lies. However, some people give away verbal and nonverbal signs of lying without realizing it. Here, then, are some of the best signs to look for to detect a lie.

1. A change in the pitch and tone of the voice may indicate a lie. Undue tension in the voice and talking way too fast are defensive reactions that may show that the speaker is not truthful.

2. A person who stammers and pauses excessively may be trying to gather their thoughts and think of a plausible story. Garbled speech also shows that the speaker may not believe what they are saying.

3. Instead of answering a question with an immediate truthful answer, a liar may echo back the question that was just asked. The person may be stalling for time in order to think of a story.

4. When a person adds too many details to a story it may indicate that it is a lie. When telling the truth most people just relate the bare essentials rather than make an effort to remember lots of details.

5. Overreacting can be a bad sign. When a person becomes overly angry and defensive they may be trying to force a person to believe their story. It may indicate that their story is weak and unbelievable.

6. By contrast, acting shocked and confused and playing dumb when asked questions is also a bad sign. The person may be trying to divert attention from themselves and to gain time to think of a believable response.

7. If the questioner changes the subject abruptly the liar may readily go with the change. However, if the person is telling the truth they may want to stick with the line of questioning until the issue is resolved.

8. The accused may become the accuser, pointing fingers and trying to divert attention elsewhere.

9. A lot of face touching, especially with fingers that partially cover the mouth, is also a bad sign. It’s like the person is trying to cover the lie.

10. Fidgeting and generally looking uncomfortable also is a sign that the speaker is not comfortable with what they are saying.

Verbal signs of telling a lie are generally more reliable than nonverbal signs. Nonverbal cues are more easily controlled by the experienced liar and therefore often not very useful. A few other nonverbal signs include avoidance of eye contact and frequent blinking. Also, raised eyebrows or looking upward may be signs of dishonesty, though it is important to remember that these nonverbal signs may be misleading.

It is always difficult to detect lies using verbal and nonverbal clues. The tips above and especially combinations of the tips may help a person to detect a story that isn’t totally honest.

You are present at a social gathering at which a large number of people are present.

There is no formal list of speakers, nor is any one expected “to make a speech.”

Some reason or other brings it about that you are asked to address the assemblage.

You therefore have no topic on which to speak, and no particular purpose in speaking other than to make an announcement, or an explanation, or to fill time until preparations for something else are completed.

It is a most embarrassing moment.

Are there any rules that will be of service at such a time?

Imagine, for example, that there are to be amateur theatricals. One of the principal actors has not arrived. The audience is assembled, and has been entertained by music until the long wait becomes annoying. You are called upon to go before the audience and talk for a time to put it in good humor.

In all such eases, follow these suggestions:

1. Without in any way naming any person as blameworthy tell the general reason for your appearance.

“Ladies and Gentlemen: You have come to see a comedy. Most astonishing, you and I are all playing parts in a very comic comedy. The name of the comedy in which we are acting is ‘The Lost Actors, or the Play without Players.’ Some of our leading characters have not arrived.”

You have now satisfied the curiosity of the assemblage, and, by your words, have somewhat restored good humor. You have not even intimated that anyone is to blame.

2. Continue with fantastic or humorous explanations adapted to the occasion.

“Is it possible that the leading theatrical managers of the country have made a conspiracy and abducted our extraordinary amateurs? Has the love making of the play proved so effective that our characters have eloped ? Or has stage fright overcome our bashful ladies and gentlemen?” (Carry foolery of this sort to any length that you please, but do not blame anyone, and, above all, do not cast ridicule upon any one.

3. Tell whatever humorous anecdotes may be appropriate.

4. If you have to speak at length, in order to fill time, turn the subject to some theme that is in no sense controversial, and speak on that theme.

“Now you see why it is that we are playing parts in a comedy. We still have some minutes to wait. Let me take this time to speak of the work our people have done in the past year. (Follow with details that will compliment the audience.)

5. If you do not have to speak at length, end your speech with a simple announcement.

“In the meanwhile the orchestra has agreed to play some special music, to which I invite your attention.”

PROBLEM.

Think out the words of a speech in which you announce that the club dinner will be served after a delay of about fifteen minutes.