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)
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Definition: gift of the gab
The gift of the gab is a speaking skill used at work and in daily life. A person with it speaks in clear pictures, weaves pleasing sound patterns, sets ideas in handy threes and talks with smooth, sure flow. When any one of these four parts is missing, the gift is lost.
Show CG4D Definition
- Uses vivid, picture-making words
- Applies sound patterns such as alliteration
- Groups points in short lists of three
- Speaks with fluent, confident flow
Article Summary
Master the gift of the gab by painting lively pictures with visual words, sprinkling light alliteration and framing ideas in neat threes; these easy tools turn any talk into clear, catchy speech that wins trust, holds attention and opens doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What does the term “gift of the gab” mean?
Why do visual words make a talk more engaging?
How can I use alliteration without sounding forced?
What is the rule of three in public speaking?
How do I pick strong visual words for a work talk?
Is the gift of the gab learned or inborn?
How can I tell if I overuse these speaking tricks?
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Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report shows that 68% of UK hiring managers list strong spoken communication as the top power skill they seek in candidates, up from 60% in 2022. A 2024 YouGov survey of 1,200 British office workers finds that staff who rate their speaking skills as “excellent” are 32% more likely to gain a promotion within 12 months than those who rate them as “average”.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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