Published at 11:24, Tuesday, 28 April 2009

In an era of soundbites, shorter attention spans and a former US president who had difficulty with the English language, it may seem that oratory is a dying art.

Winning words: John Barrie, CDSC NW District contest winner

The days when Winston Churchill, Aneurin Bevan, Martin Luther King or John F Kennedy could make a lengthy speech and be sure of getting a hearing – and media coverage – may appear to have passed.

But public speaking hasn’t yet gone the way of vinyl records and smoking in pubs. Indeed interest in it may be undergoing a revival.

The BBC2 series The Speaker, a contest to find the most talented public speakers aged between 14 and 18, attracted thousands of entrants.

The programme, shown at 8pm tonight, follows a similar format to talent shows such as Pop Idol or The X Factor, in which contestants are eliminated until an overall winner is found. The final is being broadcast tomorrow night, also at 8pm.

Last year’s US presidential election has also raised the profile of public speaking.

Barack Obama’s talent as a speaker is often credited with helping him to victory, and already his inauguration speech looks set to be remembered in the same way as that of one of his predecessors, John F Kennedy.

But speech-making is not confined to American presidents or TV talent contests. In Cumbria there are groups of enthusiasts who regularly meet to make, listen to and discuss speeches and pass on their skills.

They hope that the BBC series, and the attention President Obama’s speeches have received, will arouse greater interest in their activities.

One prominent group is Carlisle and District Speakers Club, which meets every fortnight at Morton Community Centre on Wigton Road.

The club was founded in 1982, originally for women only, but has been mixed for the past 10 years and now has members of all ages as well as both sexes.

Club president Piers Hobson says it aims to be both enjoyable and educational. At each session members concentrate on a separate aspect of public speaking, such as construction of a speech, vocabulary, use of humour or gestures, tone of voice and audience rapport.

They then make speeches on any topic of their choice, featuring that session’s particular skill, and other members offer constructive criticism, pointing out its good points and giving advice on improvements.

“A lot of people join to try to learn to speak more effectively in public, so members have been salesmen or people who need to give talks as part of their work,” Mr Hobson said.

“But there is the social side as well. A lot of the longstanding members have got to be very good, and they enjoy passing on their skills and knowledge to younger members.”

Anyone who has to undergo a job interview or make a wedding speech can find a talent for speaking useful. And good communicators are in demand in many walks of life or work.

“A lot of the skills are transferable,” he said. “They apply in many different areas. Being able to speak well gives you more confidence generally.”

Mr Hobson says President Obama was among the present-day speakers he admired.

“He’s definitely got a great style and a great voice. Tony Blair is a very good speaker too, and David Cameron seems to do quite well.”

Meetings of Cockermouth Speakers Club follow a similar format to those in Carlisle, with members looking at a different speaking skill at each meeting.

Its president, Frances Burditt, agreed with Mr Hobson that speaking effectively was useful in roles other than politics, preaching and lecturing.

“There are many, many jobs nowadays where you are better off if you can get up on your hind legs and speak confidently,” she said.

“People often have to give presentations in business, and a lot of job interviews will depend on how confidently you speak and how well you answer questions on the spur of the moment.”

And Mrs Burditt disputes the idea that there is no appetite for speeches in the era of soundbites.

“I think that’s a bit of a misconception. People who say that underestimate the intelligence and attention span of the population.

“As long as a speech is interesting and is not delivered in a boring monotone then people will listen.”

The Cockermouth club has 17 regular attenders, and Mrs Hobson is hoping the BBC series will increase interest in their activities. “It’s good that the BBC is doing something like this,” she said. “It’s bringing public speaking into the public eye.”

She also felt the new American president’s talent was drawing attention to public speaking.

“Barack Obama is an extremely good speaker.

“I think he’ll be a good role model for a large section of the younger generation, and may well interest them in speaking.”

Anyone interested in joining either club can find more details on their websites at www.carlislespeakers.blogspot.com or www.cockermouthspeakersclub. org.uk

SBlease@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk