I learned a system for speaking articulately

Introduction

This tutorial aims to enhance your speaking skills by drawing from a seven-stage journey that encourages articulacy, clarity, and precision in speech. By addressing common issues and applying practical modifications, you can learn to communicate more effectively, much like world-class speakers and leaders.

Chapter 1: Overusing Dead Phrases

Understanding Dead Phrases

• Dead phrases are overused expressions that have lost their impact.
• Common examples include "pursue that avenue," "the Achilles heel," and "spill the beans."

Practical Advice

• Rule 1: Practice conscious selection of your words.
  • Avoid hastily combining ready-made phrases.
  • Strive to create sentences that feel fresh and alive.
• Tip: Reflect on your common phrases and challenge yourself to replace them with more vivid language.

Chapter 2: Small Surface Lexicon

The Concept of Lexicon

• Your surface lexicon consists of 500 to 1500 words you habitually use.
• Your deep lexicon includes 20,000 to 35,000 recognized words that you rarely use.

Practical Advice

• Rule 2: Expand your surface lexicon to enhance articulacy.
  • Use ordinary words thoughtfully; they can still convey depth.
  • Think of your lexicon as a box of crayons: create with a variety of colors (words).

Chapter 3: Thought Retention

The Importance of Holding Thoughts

• Effective speakers retain thoughts longer, leading to deeper and clearer communication.

Practical Advice

• Rule 3: Engage more deeply with your thoughts.
  • Allow yourself to explore and expand upon ideas before speaking.
• Tip: Practice summarizing your thoughts before sharing them to improve clarity.

Chapter 4: Speech as a Product of Inputs

Evaluating Language Inputs

• Your speech quality is influenced by the language environments you engage with.

Practical Advice

• Rule 4: Assess your language inputs.
  • Track sources of language exposure and rate them for articulacy.
  • Aim for higher-quality inputs to enrich your lexicon.
• Tip: Regularly read articulate literature and listen to thoughtful podcasts.

Chapter 5: The 3x5 Language Diet

Enriching Your Language

• Implement a daily practice of 15 minutes focusing on language enrichment.

Practical Steps

1. First 5 Minutes: Read an article or book chapter that challenges your current language level.
2. Second 5 Minutes: Read poetry aloud to learn rhythm and cadence.
3. Final 5 Minutes: Listen to a podcast or audiobook while focusing on the choice of words.

Chapter 6: Nounce

Using Nounce for Vocabulary Building

• Nounce is a tool to create a word bank for phrases you wish to incorporate into your speech.

Practical Advice

• Use Nounce to practice retrieving and applying new words in conversation.
• Explore the library of articulate speakers within the app for inspiration.

Chapter 7: Increasing Consciousness per Sentence

Enhancing Sentence Quality

• Shift from automatic responses to more intentional speech.

Practical Advice

• Rule 5: Be vigilant against dead phrases.
• Practice repeating questions aloud to engage your conscious thought before responding.
• Tip: Take a moment to pause and think before speaking to enhance clarity.

Chapter 8: Intellectual Humility

Embracing Communication Weaknesses

• Recognize that being candid about limitations can lead to more articulate answers.

Practical Steps

1. Identify your main communication insecurities.
2. Develop phrases that express your need for time to process thoughts, such as “Give me a moment to think about that.”

Conclusion

To become a more articulate speaker, focus on conscious word selection, expand your vocabulary, and engage deeply with your thoughts. Utilize tools like Nounce and the 3x5 language diet to enrich your language skills. Embrace intellectual humility and express your communication needs openly. By incorporating these practices, you can significantly improve your speaking clarity and effectiveness. Start today by assessing your language inputs and setting aside time for daily language enrichment.