**M**eera *( looks frightened and confused)* begins ’’ VAT is Valued At Tax. *(few voices from the audience)*. It is likely to be introduced on 1st March 2005. *(the sound gets louder)*. VAT is I think... *(pauses for few seconds starts again) * VAT as I told you is tax *(now the audience start making funny noise, some are irritated) * .VAT is I mean was...*(more screams from the audience)*. thank you ’’
**D**o you know why Meera failed to deliver good speech?She didnt have the **K**nowledge on VAT, which in turn affected her **C**onfidence level and it showed up in her **D**elivery.
For practical purposes, I think good speech can be grouped into **Knowledge, Confidence and Delivery**
**Knowledge**
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**Y**ou may be good looking, your posture is perfect, you have good physical appearance and also good use of english. But if you lack in the subject you are speaking, your speech is bound to suffer.Wandering around in your subject also displays a lack of knowledge.You have to prepare well, before you speak.
**Confidence**
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**I**t happens so many times, you know the subject, but still end up looking like fool. The main reason is lack of practice, or say lack of confidence. Giving good speech is not an inborn talent, but comes with effective training and practice. The best way is to look at the mirror and start delivering you speech or talk before your friends and ask them to give feedback. Whatever said, confidence is something in you, its your inner fire of enthusiasm.
**Delivery**
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**Y**ou have the Knowledge and Confidence in you, but your speech may still fall flat if your Delivery is poor. By this I mean weak speech.The reasons could be you voice is too gentle or too harsh, not clear, there is no control on rhythm, few pauses and so on.
**A**part from this, few basic qualities that are required to make an effective speech:
*Good Posture
*Eye Contact with the audience
*Clothes that befit the occasion
*Friendly Talk
*Gestures-Like hand movements
*Modulate your voice-Be energetic
*Moderate Speed
*Expressions and mannerism
*Avoid Reading
*Add Humour
*Ask a Question
*Use Illustration
*Kind of audience
**H**ow to open a talk?
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*Friendly way
*Make your audience feel important
*Open with striking quotation
*Audience composition
*Touch of Humour
**H**ow to close talk?
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*Re-emphasise and Summarise the main points
*Quoting a fitting verse
*sincere compliment
*Building a climax
*Raising a laugh
**’’ Always remember the purpose of your communication’’**
Please do add some comments, your feedback and suggestions. Thank you!