6 rhetorical principles
Rhetorical principles and communication rules are one of the factors that can have an essential role in one’s life.
In this article, I’d like to teach you six of rhetorical principles.
1- Listening is better than talking
One of the rhetorical principles is the ability of listening effectively.
Listening and not hearing is of the main rhetorical principles. We believe being talkative is a serious dilemma. It’s important to enhance our hearing ability and listen more carefully.
2- Conformity of verbal and non-verbal communication
All your messages, verbal and non-verbal should have the same meaning.
Verbal messages such as words, the tone of our voice, etc. non-verbal messages:
– Clothes: clothes have an important role in your communications. Not the most important part but it’s a good idea to dress up well based on in what situation we are and choose the right ones.
– Eye contact: your messages go to wherever you are looking at it. Most people look at the ceiling or the floor when they talk.
– Body language: if we know about body language we can be successful otherwise there is a big failure ahead of us. So I suggest you read this article: Body Language.
3- Loud and clear voice
One of the rhetorical principles is to have a loud and clear voice.
We have to use our voice correctly. No one likes to listen to a cacophony or nasal sound for a long time!
4- Enough verbal mastery
We have to master the words. We need to know when to use words and which words. Just a couple of days ago someone asked me: Mr. Bahrampoor, I want to demand something from you!
Everyone should know this is not a proper and polite request. It’s better to say: I have a favor. Or would you mind if I ask you (want you to do…) …!
Another critical thing in verbal mastery is slogan or filler words. Many people say “um” or “uh” when they talk. A way to avoid that is to use an elastic band. Pull it and let it go whenever you used filler words or a slogan. It hurts but it also reminds you not to use those words.
5- self-confidence
You have to learn rhetorical principles and be more self-confident.
One of the most severe problems in public speaking and communicating with others is shyness and being a mute. It’s best to read all our self-confidence articles to build and improve your self-confidence.
Read: “how to boost self-confidence?” and “how to build self-confidence?“
6- Feedback
Other rhetorical principles are giving feedback to other presentation.
I’ve learned a great deal about feedback in recent years of teaching about speeches and presentations.
It’s best to tell you levels and degrees of learning as Benjamin Bloom, one of the greatest Psychologists in the learning field. In his book, “A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing,” Bloom says that learning has six steps:
1- Creating: produce new or original work
2- Evaluating: justify a stand or decision
3- Analyzing: draw connections among ideas
4- Applying: use information in a new situation
5- Understanding: explain ideas or concepts
6- Remembering: recall facts and basic concepts
One of the most helpful parts is analyzing. Now let’s see how we can improve our communication skills and learn more about rhetorical principles with the help of analyzing.
People criticize speakers when they talk. For example, we say: “how boring,” “how exciting,” “he’s funny.” And sometimes we become upset because of what they say.
It’s an excellent opportunity to know which behaviors and topics our audience prefer to listen to, which of our personality and appearances are correct and which ones are wrong. So bring a paper and a pencil for every seminar and video, write the strengths and weaknesses of that speech to learn more. This is what we call analyzing!
I’m sure you have gone to seminars that share no knowledge and have no value, just as I have. Best thing to do in these seminars is to analyze the speaker (and teachers for classrooms) if you can’t get out of the salon/class.
Write their strengths and weaknesses and ask yourself what you would do if you were them?
In my presentation and communication skills classes, I ask my students to analyze the person who spoke, and that person can get good feedback and improve himself/herself. Then we give some solutions for the weaknesses to help them even more.
Another way to analyze a speech is to record your voice or record a video while you speak and listen to it later. See what issues you have and which parts you have to work on more. Ask people around you (family, friends) to watch it and give you feedback. Then analyze them and try to make it better.
Learn more by using rhetorical principles for example record a video while you speak and show it to your family or friends
Remember, you’re not supposed to say “I don’t think I speak fast.” But you have to say: “thank you for your opinion.” And analyze if we speak fast or not. Instead of bringing excuses or justifying your mistakes, try to find a solution.
Who is a speaker?
Based on what we said about rhetorical principles, Speaker is:
Someone who uses his verbal and non-verbal skills to be more effective in a better way.
