The Ancient Greek Speech Structure For Your Speeches and Presentations
How to structure your speech to make a mighty impression
Ancient speech structure
The ancient greek speech structure is probably the oldest structuring formula for speeches. It dates back to antiquity. And it still works today for speeches and presentations. Learn how to convince classically.
Overview
Back to the roots: The ancient Greek speech structure
The Greeks and Romans cultivated the art of oratory. It had a quite high reputation in these cultures. Aristotle already knew that the speaker’s credibility, i.e. his ethos, was particularly important. And there are other things we can learn from this heyday of rhetoric. For example, in building up convincing speeches and presentations.
The structure of ancient Greek speech, step by step
Probably the oldest structure formula for speeches dates back to antiquity; the ancient Greek. It is particularly suitable for more extensive speeches. The structure is very well-thought-out and effective. Speeches are structured with it as follows:
1. First, win the benevolence
Prepare the audience to listen to the speaker’s point of view at all.
2. Describe the actual situation
Describe the previous development and the current status without evaluation. This prepares the ground for the next steps.
3. Point out alternatives.
What other possibilities exist?
4. Justify your recommendations and discuss their advantages.
Why do you prefer your recommendation?
5. Disprove possible counterarguments
What counterarguments could there be and how do you refute them?
6. Summarize your most important words
Summarize your words and come to a conclusion.
7. Inspire your audience
Get the audience moving.
8. Call for action
What should the audience do now?
Remark
Steps 6 to 8 are called conclusions (conclusio) in the classical form.
More?
Is that enough theory? You can find out more about the practical use of ancient rhetoric in Presentations Skills Training III, without the need for ancient Greek or Latin.
Preparation of important speeches and presentations
Those who do not speak are not heard, and even those who speak up are not always successful. There are a few more steps that need to be mastered.
Do you want to convince with your message and also as a personality? Then I will help you to prepare your speeches and presentations. You determine the scope. At least, I recommend a test run with professional feedback for you and your message. Then you will know how you and your content are perceived, what you should do, and what you should leave out, where there is potential. Why do you want to get such helpful feedback so late after your real performance? Then it is too late for adjustments. Benefit from the advantage. My definition of luck: Preparation meets opportunity.
You can best estimate for yourself where the effort is worthwhile concerning the expected benefit. Here you will find the fees for my support (communication, psychology, language, structure, voice, body language, storytelling, rhetorical means, media such as PowerPoint and Co., etc.)
You are not in Berlin right now? Then choose meetings with me via telephone or video support. Whereby, there are quite good reasons for a trip to Berlin.
By the way, many people suffer from such intense stage fright in front of an audience, and therefore their performance lags behind their possibilities. Too bad, because with my help performance in a good condition is possible. Just in case...
A good start: Professional feedback with suggestions for improvement
How persuasive are you and your messages in speeches and presentations? How good are you at the 111+ most important presentation skills? I have been analyzing speeches since 1998. After evaluating 14,375 speeches and presentations, and numerous mistakes of my own, most of which I only discovered after a delay, I can tell you exactly what works with which audience. Let me give you the feedback that will help you get ahead. You will receive essential feedback and recommendations, as well as the impulses you need to persuade your audience in concrete situations.
Are you interested? If so, here is how to get helpful feedback with recommendations for improving your speeches and presentations.
Just ask me personally
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Remarks:
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This article is a short excerpt from the more comprehensive course materials my clients receive in a group or individual training or coaching.
Published: March 6, 2015
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: August 20th, 2023
Translation: ./.
German version: https://www.karstennoack.de/antike-redegliederung/
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