<p>Hello:
Apologies if this topic has been addressed already somewhere in the forum...</p>
<p>I'm looking to improve my public speaking and--more specifically--my communication abilities (even in casual circumstances, such as speaking within groups of friends, etc). I've always been timid, soft-spoken, and at a loss of 'appropriate' things to say. </p>
<p>Are there books addressing such issues? Any advice on how to improve? I think that, ideally, practice practice practice can only help overcome timidity and develop communication skills. For those of you who are excellent speakers, how do you think you got that way/any suggestions?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I've scored highly on several speech competitions and recieve compliments when I have to say something in front of an audience, so most people consider me a talented speaker, but I'd consider myself pretty shy and soft-spoken.</p>
<p>I don't have a real "follow me" tip, but I can tell you what I think led to this. My first actual friend came in high school, and he was a few years older than me, VERY intelligent, VERY articulate. I felt so awkward talking to him because I constantly felt myself stumble, or else I'd leave huge gaps in the conversation where I didn't know how to comment. We've been friends for years, and over time, I just started taking on some of his mannerisms; from him, I learned certain things that are good to say in awkward conversations, good quips for insults, so on and so forth. For speeches, it helps that I'm a pretty decent writer; planning out the best phrases in a speech helps them stick. Same works for real life: imagine yourself in a situation where you normally wouldn't be able to respond. In your mind, you have unlimited time. Think of something, and then you'll always have a sort of "fall-back" line.</p>
<p>I suppose my two pieces of advice are: examine those you consider talented speakers, and always listen carefully in a conversation so you can respond well.</p>