How to Get the Gift of the Gab
How to Get the Gift of the Gab
Would you like to have the gift of the gab?
The gift of the gab is the ability to talk in such a way that grabs the attention and holds the mind of the listener. People who have developed the gift of the gab, usually have an easier life than those who struggle to find the words to properly express themselves.
People who have the gift of the gab, are using learnable techniques that anyone could use in order to make themselves more fluent, influential and informed.
Here is a list of three tips that will give you the gift.
1. Use Visual Words
Visual words are words that create vivid images in the mind.
Remember that everything you say creates, or at least should create, a vivid mental image in the mind of your listener.
If you want to be a more notable speaker, then think in terms of creating more vivid mental images in the minds of your listeners.
Note that there are many ready-made, current expressions that use this technique. For example:
- A shot in the arm.
- A red letter day.
- A leap in the dark.
- A giant step forward.
- A golden opportunity.
You get the idea? These idioms are ready made and will make your speech more colourful. Note: don't overdo it or you will soon sound trite, and especially don't over-do it when writing.
But if you do use these visual words a little more often, in your daily speech, then they will give your message more verbal impact.
2. Alliteration
Alliteration is the technique of using words that share the same first letters. Examples of alliteration are:
- Busy as a bee.
- Dead as a doornail.
- See you later alligator.
- Ride roughshod.
- Pleased as punch.
- Good as gold.
- Right as rain.
- Method to my madness.
If you use alliteration, then your speech will appear more appealing and sound more seductive.
3. Rule of Three
The rule of three takes account of the fact that most minds like short lists of three elements.
Speech writers make use of this fact by setting out ideas in short lists of three.
Here are some examples:
- "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".
- "Government of the people, by the people, for the people".
- "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics".
- "Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll".
- "I came, I saw, I conquered".
- "Friends, Romans, Countrymen.
- "Blood, sweat and tears".
- "Our priorities are Education, Education, and Education." - Ex Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
You get the idea?
Use short lists of three, alliteration and visual words.
You will amaze, amuse and entertain your friends, with your new found flair and verbal virtuosity: you'll be glad you developed, the gift of the gab.
Picture credit: Brent Danley (Creative Commons: BY-NC-SA 2.0)
Once you've mastered these, try and master these 70 effective communication skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Your Comments
Further Reading in Communication - Persuasive Communication
-
Present Yourself Positively
People judge everything you say, what you do, how you look. Make sure they see you in a positive light.
Read Article > -
Communication Skills: Etiquette and Politeness
Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you. Does old fashioned etiquette have a place in modern society?
Read Article > -
How to gain more confidence when speaking
Self confidence: Do you want to know how to gain more self confidence when speaking? Last week, I received a phone call from a man who wanted to know if I could help him with his low levels of self-confidence. The conversation went on for over an hour and it was...
Read Article > -
Sales training course - 8 reasons why people don't buy your product
8 reasons why people don't buy your product ALL organisations have to sell what they do. If a particular organisation cannot effectively sell what it does, (either to free market customers or to a funding agency) then it goes extinct. In order to sell to the people who make the...
Read Article > -
How to Get the Gift of the Gab
People who have developed the gift of the gab usually have an easier life, than those who struggle to find the words to properly express themselves.
Read Article >