How To Be Articulate In Speech And In An Interview: 17 Tips

how to be articulate in speech

If you want to give people the good impression of a solid education and a cultured mind, then you need to know how to be articulate. It does not matter that you are going to give a speech in a public presentation or have an interview for your dream job, or even just tell a funny story to your friends, the ability of being articulate in expressing your own thoughts is important in effective communication. In fact, the ability to be more articulate is more than just the expression of intelligence as articulate people might exhibit quick thinking, eloquence, which is a higher degree of cognitive flexibility and a commanding vocabulary. Now, if you are ready to learn how to be articulate, then start checking out top useful tips gathered by VKool.com here!

How To Be Articulate In Speech And In An Interview – Top 17 Effective Tricks

1. Know Your Subject 

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In order to know how to be articulate, the first thing you need to do is to get to know your subject. Speak on the matter where you could bring more clarity to the audience or help add to the discussion. Do your research and look for other people’s perspectives on that thing. Speaking from a desire to add useful ideas or just get your own voice heard, will not add to your perceived level of articulateness. You had better let other people speak about things that they know well about and add to that informative discussion via articulate questions. In case you do not know well about the subject you are going to speak, then extensive research might help you sound like you know about it.

2. Expand Your Own Mind 

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To say something well, it is better for you to have something really worth saying. Try to be well-informed as well as well-read, so that you are going to have interesting things to say. However, it is not necessary for you to become the expert of all topics, just simply narrow in those subjects and problems that are crucial for you and study them well.

3. Think Before Speaking 

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By thinking before speaking, you will eradicate those verbal pauses and might even prevent yourself from saying something which does not make sense. Also, it is okay if this might slow you down a little bit. In reality, pausing before giving a real answer can help you look more intelligent and thoughtful than those who just blurt out a string of nonsensical phrases right after the question is asked.

If someone asks you a certain question that you might need to think it through, then you should not be afraid of saying, “Come back to me in a minute. I need to gather my own thoughts.” That way, you will be able to control anxiety and sound more prepared after having time to think carefully.

If you are looking for an ultimate guide on how to be articulate in speech as well as in any interview, It’s the Way You Say It is the best guide you are looking for.

4. Expand Your Own Vocabulary 

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Making use of a variety of vocabulary means you are creating more color and interest in your own speech. When not understanding the words you are reading, you can consult a thesaurus or a dictionary. This is the easiest way to expand the amount of vocabularies – read, read and read. Besides, knowing synonyms for words can also be useful, yet you need to make sure that you use them in the right contexts instead of using a word you have just seen in the dictionary for the first time. Another suggestion is that you could create vocabulary flashcards and start quizzing yourself. Just make a goal of getting to know 10 new words per week.

5. Use Real Words

how to be articulate

In a speech, it is not a good idea for you to use slang and contractions. Rather than hi, use hello, rather than yeah, use yes. Do not use huh, uh-huh if not in the circumstance of an event or story. If you give a formal or even just semi-formal presentation, it is crucial for you to use full, intelligent words. Moreover, you need to avoid using to many contractions. For instance, instead of saying “I can’t”, you should say “I cannot”. Speak in complete sentences as much as possible, if you are not doing so for the effect.

6. Use Correct Grammar 

how to be articulate

The next tip on how to be articulate in a speech is to study the appropriate uses of words following words: I, me, his, him, he, no, not. Commonly, they are used incorrectly in many cases like double negatives and also when listing down people. As reiterating the fact you already stated, you should say “as I said”, and do not say “like I said”. These are just several simple examples of using correct grammar. Here are some other tips you should know:

  • You had better say, “He and I were discussing…,” not “Him and I were discussing…”
  • You had better say, “You can give your own report to her/ him and me,” not “You can give your own report to her and I.
  • You had better say, “such as…,” not “like…”

If you are looking for an ultimate guide on how to be articulate in speech as well as in any interview, It’s the Way You Say It is the best guide you are looking for.

7. Exude Confidence

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When you want to be articulate as well as intelligent, you need to look confident when delivering your own message. Just make your eye contact with the listeners, in such a way you really mean what you are saying, and speak loudly enough for other people to hear you. If you look comfortable with your message, and seem like you believe in your words, rather than second-guessing yourself, people may believe in it too.

Try to make your sentences complete, decisive and firm. Do not end the sentences with a question or with turning up your voice slight as it might make you sound like you are continuously asking for the affirmation.

8. Improve The Posture 

how to be articulate

Try improving your posture as it will consolidate your words. In reality, the posture will go a long way in making a person sound much more intelligent. Thus, stand up tall and avoid hunching over whether you are walking, standing up, or sitting down. Avoid crossing the arms over the chest and try keeping them at sides and using them to gesture. That way, you will make your own words sound powerful and forceful, and of course, make people believe that you really know well what you are saying.

9. Prepare Carefully 

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Want to know how to be articulate in an interview? Prepare a lot. If you really want to sound intelligent, then you could not just spout out the latest idea to a group of audience or your friends without thinking about how you are going to frame them in advance. The truth is, what you need to do is to prepare what you are about to say, no matter what subject you will present and who your audiences are. Rehearse what you need to say as much as possible to feel comfortable about saying it. It is crucial for you to practice as well as rehearse, yet it does also crucial for what you are saying to sound natural. Thus, you need to know the subject and material well enough to change things up if necessary.

If you are looking for an ultimate guide on how to be articulate in speech as well as in any interview, It’s the Way You Say It is the best guide you are looking for.

10. Be More Concise

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Saying more without conciseness might make audience shut down and quit listening. Add content to the discussions, which are as condensed as possible without sounding vague. Talking till you get to the point you aims for will warrant half of the audience has already tuned out. Hence, you had better state your own point up front and audience will acknowledge what you are going to elaborate about. When you have to give a speech within a limited amount of time, then do not squeeze in tons of thoughts coming to your mind. Pick some of the most important ideas and start elaborating on them.

Recommend reading: tips to improve listening skill

11. Eradicate Verbal Pauses

how to be articulate

When you are talking to someone or giving a speech, you need to eradicate verbal causes as words like “aaa” and “um” that only distract your audience and even confuse you. In fact, a nonverbal pause is better and sometimes this type of pause, when placed correctly, will give the audience the effect of a well-studied or dramatic thought.

12. Speak Slowly 

how to be articulate

One of useful technique on how to be articulate is to speak more clearly and more slowly. Though you might feel that if rushing and saying what you wanted to say, you can get it over with and make other people see your point clearly furthermore. Nevertheless, if you talk more slowly, think about what you need to say and pronounce the words in the manner that will not make your mumble or confuse the audiences, then you will be more articulate and well-spoken.

Yet, keep in mind that you do not have to speak too slowly as if you are pausing among words. Indeed, pause in between sentences to give yourself the right amount of time to prepare the next sentence.

On the other hand, if speaking too fast, there is an opportunity that you may say something that may make you regret later or make definitely no sense. As a result, you will have to do something to make the audience understand what you mean. Now, you can avoid all of that by speaking slowly.

If you are looking for an ultimate guide on how to be articulate in speech as well as in any interview, It’s the Way You Say It is the best guide you are looking for.

13. Make Use Of Your Body Language (Your Hands) 

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One of the most effective but overlooked tip on how to be articulate in speech, you should make use of your body language, in general, and your hands, in particular. If you constantly keep the hands in your pockets, you will be likely to stutter, forget what you need to say and even confuse the audience. Using your hands when giving a speech could help you explain what you really mean and could get your entire body into the right speaking process. The truth is, communication does not only come for the mouth, but also from your posture, your gesturing, your eye contact, and your body language. Body language is a part of the whole communication package. Also, keeping the hands in your pockets will make you look less confident, making your message sound weaker.

14. Limit Distractions

how to be articulate

For those who want to be more well-spokers, they should focus on their messages instead of the distractions. you might be saying “uh” and “um” or forgetting your thought every few sentences as your mobile phones keep vibrating, or as you run late, or you are worried about the meeting you will have later in that day. Therefore, it is necessary for you to stay in the moment and keep focusing on what you say as much as possible.

If you are concentrated on your messages, you can deliver it more clearly and articulately, and of course, the audience will pay attention more, too.

15. Understand The Audience 

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Before giving a speech or joining in an interview, it is essential for you to get to know the audience. Work to have a strong sense of the group of people you are going to talk to or to give a speech. If you will give a presentation on a certain poet to a group of those literary scholars, you could assume that they acknowledge and understand the vocabulary as well as the concepts that you are resorting. However, if you will teach a group of 5th –grade of students to write their poetry, the words you resort and the level of your explanation have to different depending on the type of audience you are talking to.

If you are looking for an ultimate guide on how to be articulate in speech as well as in any interview, It’s the Way You Say It is the best guide you are looking for.

16. Get Inspired By Well-Known Speakers And Speeches 

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If you want to know how to be articulate in speech and how famous speakers become articulate, then why don’t you learn from them? Go on YouTube or other websites to watch some videos of famous speakers, like Steve Jobs, or Martin Luther King, and see if you could learn something from them. Also, you could read some well-planned speeches like “The Gettysburg Address,” to realize if you could understand how to impress and get other people inspired. Watching some particularly inspiring speakers on the news how are thoughtful and well-spoken they are and see what you could learn from them. Take notes whilst reading or watching. That way, you will learn a lot about how to be articulate.

Check out: how to improve your reading skill

17. Tell A Story 

how to be articulate

Last but not least important when it comes to tips on how to be articulate, telling a story is a good way to help you get rid of the verbal filler or the hesitation, as you will be able to move much more fluently from one sentence to another. Having a story which can demonstrate and illustrate your point well will help you give a clearer speech. Additionally, you will become more animated and articulate as you speak from a place that makes you feel comfortable. Of course, you need to practice telling stories in advance, thereby helping you fine-tune those stories, even when you think you know them well.

To sum up, the easiest way to learn how to be articulate in speech is through practicing. The more frequently you practice, the more articulate your speech will be. Do you know other tips about how to be articulate in speech or in an interview, or about any other lifestyle tips and tricks? Share your ideas with us below this post. We appreciate your contribution and will feedback as soon as possible.

If you are looking for an ultimate guide on how to be articulate in speech as well as in any interview, It’s the Way You Say It is the best guide you are looking for.

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