By Victoria Cruz
Contributor
Students listening to Mark Zampino lead “The Secrets of Effective Public Speaking,” PEP Talk on Wednesday, April 30, in Room 122 of the School of Business.
On Wednesday, April 30 in SB 122, the Business Department hosted another installment of the Pep Talk series, “The Secrets of Effective Public Speaking.”
The event looked to condense the content of his public speaking course into a one-hour workshop to help students become more confident when delivering and creating presentations.
“I’ve been to other pep talks before and I think this one is a lot more informational,” business information systems major Genesis Matute, a sophomore, said.
The event featured “Dr. Pepper” Mark Zampino, a professor of public speaking with over 20 years of experience in the field.
Zampino opened the talk by posing a question to the audience “What is public speaking?”
Students’ responses led to his central point that public speaking is not an innate gift, but rather “an acquired taste” or a skill that anyone can learn.
Zampino shared his “Three R’s” strategy for effective speaking, Reduce, Rehearse and Remember.
Under this method, speakers are encouraged to first arrange their ideas clearly, then trim unnecessary content and finally rehearse until delivery feels natural.
He emphasized the importance of understanding your audience and considering what they want to hear and why you are the one speaking.
Understanding why you are speaking will help you connect with your audience.
His method of “Rhythm of Threes” allows for audience retention.
Presenting ideas in three parts even when discussing robust topics makes it easier to convey memorable information to an audience.
Also, the use of parallel structures allow audiences to remember ideas in a more manageable way.
Or the use of similar patterns, in grammar and word choice to create a rhythmic effect. It is important to not overly complicate ideas for the sake of doing so.
Many speakers, in an attempt to enforce their credibility, do not make information manageable for the average listener.
Creating presentations in concise ways not only benefits the audience but makes it easy for a speaker to remember their own content.
Always start with a powerful claim to hook the audience on your presentation. Give your audience a reason to listen by making engaging claims.
Then state your qualifications to establish your credibility as a source. Do not be ashamed of being an expert, ethos is important for the audience.
His advice resonated with many in attendance.
“I think everyone no matter what your major this can benefit from public speaking,” Matute said.
Furthermore, Matute explained that the timing of the event was especially helpful.
“I’m definitely going to take them with me especially since I have a presentation that I’m going to do in a week or so I’m definitely planning on using the tips,” Matute said.
Before ending the event, Zampino offered helpful advice to students to help them on their journey of public speaking.
“Focus on the idea and the words will come,” Zampino said.
For him, strong ideas are the foundation of confident speaking.
The event left students with practical tools and the reassurance that effective public speaking is a skill anyone can master with the right mindset and preparation.
