Public speaker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (January 2007) |
A public speaker is a person who makes speeches in public settings. A speaker may address a large assembly of people or small gatherings. For large assemblies, the speaker will usually speak with the aid of a public address system or microphone and loudspeaker.
The objectives of a public speaker's presentation can range from simply transmitting information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story. Professional public speakers are committed on ongoing training and education to refine their craft. This may include seeking guidance to improve their speaking skills -- such as learning better storytelling techniques, for example, or learning how to effectively use humor as a communication tool -- as well as continuous research in their topic area of focus.
People who speak publicly in a professional capacity are paid a speaking fee. Professional public speakers may include ex-politicians, sports stars and other public figures. In the case of high profile personalities, the sum can be extraordinary.
An after dinner speaker is a person who makes a public speech after a formal dinner. Normally it is meant to be reasonably light-hearted and entertaining, but the speaker can have a serious or inspirational message. The speaker may propose a toast or vote of thanks at the end of the speech.
