By Ruth Oji IN the intricate system of human communication, language acts as both the conduit and sculptor of perception. It transcends being the conveyor belt of information; rather, it serves as the force that sharpens how we interpret, interact, and make meaning of the world around us. In either written or spoken discourse, choice of […]

DO you find it challenging to be as persuasive in your delivery as much as you would love to? The power of rhetoric in harnessing persuasiveness in writing and speaking cannot be overemphasised. Rhetoric is an art of effective and persuasive communication in speaking and writing; its impressive effects and compositional techniques make for coordinated behaviour, […]

DOES storytelling during a presentation come easily to you? It doesn’t to everyone. Why is it important? Storytelling and anecdotes are powerful tools in evoking your listeners’ emotions and making your message receptive and engaging; it allows you to illustrate key points in a way that captures, inspires, and motivates your audience. Incorporating personal or relatable […]

DO you dread or anticipate question and answer sessions after your presentation? A question-and-answer session is a significant way of demonstrating expertise, engaging, and interacting with your audience, showing a desire to connect, conveying attentiveness, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of your presentation. A well-structured approach of doing this can equip you as a speaker to […]

A well-crafted closing statement is the last opportunity to resonate with your audience by echoing your voice in their head, and offering a sense of completion, impression, and reflection. A powerful closing statement allows you the ability to leave a lasting impact on the audience. It is a test-proven method of reinforcing key messages, inspiring action, […]

Memorisation is one of the most effective ways of delivering a confident and impactful speech. It allows you to keep eye contact, maintain your composure, move freely during presentations, and maximise gestures. A well-memorised speech enables speakers to maintain a strong presence, engage the audience, and exude confidence. This article will discuss how you can master […]

By Ruth Oji Humour creates a bond between you and your audience. It demonstrates flexibility, while helping you break barriers and create emotional depth with your message. It eases the tension that may have emanated from divulging complex information. It captures your audience’s attention, reduces their anxiety, and makes their experience memorable.  However, inappropriate use of […]

VISUAL aids such as images, videos, infographics, and flashcards are known for enhancing comprehension, retention, and learning. They curate an accurate visual image in an audience’s head, motivating and inspiring them to understand better the concepts being shared. Visual aids grab attention, give clarity, and make a speech memorable. A picture is more likely to stick […]

THE art of delivering a speech without any prior preparation or planning on a topic is known as impromptu speaking. A speaker may be provided a quotation, proverb, one word abstract, object, or any other possible alternative to speak on. An impromptu speech is often triggered by unexpected situations. Impromptu speaking is a skill that demonstrates […]

By Ruth Oji BY adapting your speech to various audiences you enhance credibility, demonstrate your respect and understanding of your audience’s opinions, and build rapport as a speaker. Tailoring your speech to different audiences and occasions is also the spontaneity needed to foster engagement, understanding, and connection. This article will discuss the art of versatility in […]

Why is it important to carefully construct and organize your speech? Simply put, it is a pathway needed to provide a clear narrative in understanding your message and in effectively engaging your audience

DID you enjoy the article last week?  I’m sure you did! Now, again, I share with you further tips on creative writing. Recall that I last reminded you about the need to silence that inner critic, talk with people who encourage your ‘hustle’, relax as you think laterally, play your way to idea generation, and feel […]

Dear aspiring creative writer, how are you doing? Welcome to this week’s article on creative writing tips. Last week, among other things, we examined how to read slowly with the intention of identifying how the author achieved certain effects in his writing. We also analysed how your innera critic tends to prevent you from soaring. […]

AS a beginner writer, you are probably still wondering what more you can do to help you master the art of writing. This week’s article shares further tips you can apply. In addition to previous tips shared, such as writing as well as you can, examining why you want to write, identifying the kind of writing […]

I’ll begin this part by quickly sharing a cheat sheet to help you with your creative writing expedition. Before you begin writing, make sure you have a good notebook, a decent pen, plenty of paper, a computer or laptop, a desk or other writing space, a dictionary, and a thesaurus.  When writing your first draft, don’t […]