FIVE ELEMENTS OF THE ART OF RHETORIC

Rhetoric is the art of dialogue between the speaker and the audience.Naturally, anyone speaking to an audience and engaging in such a dialogue wants the process to be smooth and successful. In this article, I begin discussing five elements of the art of rhetoric that will help a speaker prepare, feel confident in front of an audience, and communicate their message persuasively.

Element One: Our Beliefs

“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.”— Wayne W. Dyer

“Public speaking is either something you're born with or not… I wasn’t born with it… I can’t speak… I’m afraid to speak… The audience will mock me, they won’t understand me… I’m a terrible speaker… Anything but public speaking… I’ll die if I see a crowd in front of me…”

Familiar phrases? These are more than just phrases.They are stories we believe. Stories created by our minds—our beliefs.

Beliefs are a lifelong set of rules that we follow in both personal and professional life.Much of what a person has achieved is shaped by the beliefs they hold.There are two kinds: limiting and empowering.

Sadly, a large portion of humanity is driven by limiting beliefs—fear, insecurity, and hopelessness. So first, let’s observe and reflect:What are my beliefs?Are they empowering or limiting?Can I speak in public or not?Does the audience wish me well—or are they waiting for me to fail?

What I believe directly shapes what and how I speak. But here’s the good news: all limiting beliefs can be transformed into empowering ones. All fears—especially the fear of public speaking—can become our strengths.

So… What are my beliefs?

Element Two: Our Breath

“The word that is born from breath is the essence of a human being.”— Ancient Egyptian wisdom

Do you recognize these sensations? Fear, anxiety, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, racing heart, dry mouth, sweaty palms, pale or flushed face, the feeling of “I can’t see or hear anything,” tense muscles, trembling...

These and similar symptoms heavily influence your voice and your ability to speak with energy and enthusiasm.

Why do I lose breath when speaking publicly? Why doesn’t my voice sound strong?

The answer is simple: incorrect breathing has a major impact on our ability to speak in front of others.

“Who controls the breath, controls the situation.”

This variation of a well-known idea fits perfectly for public speakers. So—what is my breathing like? Do I breathe with my diaphragm or just my chest? Is my breath flowing freely or is it stuck somewhere? Do I breathe only subconsciously—to survive—or do I know how to breathe consciously?

How can I use conscious breathing in public speaking?

Element Three: Our Body

“The human body is the best work of art.”— Jess C. Scott

Is my body just a frame to hold up my head—or a temple in which divinity lives? It’s up to us to decide.

When was the last time you truly felt your body? When did you last give your body a break—not just sleep, but real, restorative rest?

We’re not talking about headaches, fatigue, or stomach aches. We’re talking about presence: How does your body feel right now as you sit, stand, or lie down? How does your body feel when you’re standing and speaking in front of an audience?

A relaxed and free body brings back the joy of life. A relaxed body radiates confidence. And we naturally trust those who are confident.

How do I control my body?

Element Four: Our Voice

“Find YOUR voice and help others do the same.”— Stephen Covey

The human voice is an instrument—and we all play it. It might be the most powerful sound in the world. It can start a war—or say, “I love you.”

The magical power of voice: When we hear a pleasant, velvety, confident voice, it doesn’t matter what the person looks like, whether they’re famous, beautiful, or wealthy… Sometimes, you can fall in love with someone just by hearing their voice.

Voice is a tool of influence and persuasion.

There’s a deep, subconscious instinct to follow a strong, resonant voice.When we follow such a voice, we feel protected by a greater force. This is a law of nature—only the strongest survive.

But the opposite is also true: A shaky, screechy voice, unclear articulation—it can erase all a person’s credibility. You don’t want to listen to them. You don’t trust them. A high-pitched, sharp voice creates subconscious anxiety and discomfort. You don’t feel safe around such a person.

Voice is just the tip of the iceberg. If the tone and resonance of your voice aren't good, you must look deeper.

Get to know yourself—and develop your voice with specific exercises.

Element Five: Algorithms (Structures) for Achieving and Securing Results

“Creativity without discipline is a fight without a winner.Creativity with discipline and structure—that’s the path to success.”— Amit Kalantri

The eternal question: Why do we need structure? Why does a speech need form?

The answer is simple: As a speaker, structure helps me prepare more effectively, stay in control during my speech, and later analyze where I was strong and where I need improvement.

Listeners, in turn, benefit from hearing a well-structured talk: clear, logical, and engaging. They hear an understandable and compelling story.

And since ancient times, humans have loved stories.

Every speech you give—no matter the topic—should be a small story, with its own structure.

“A speech (presentation) is the art of telling your story.”— Jerry Weissman

Here’s another paradox: The more I follow structure—the freer I am to improvise.Why?Because I have a strong foundation. I feel confident.I trust myself.I’m free—and I can relax.

And please—don’t believe it when someone tells you: “Well, sure, structure is useful… but some people are just good at speaking off the cuff…”

Experience shows that the best improvised speech……is the one that was very well prepared.

So, what structure do I use?