Quora Answer: What Skills Do I Need to be a Good Public Speaker?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “What skills do I need to be a good public speaker?” 

The primary skill you require is rhetoric.  Rhetoric is the ability to put forward a cogent, coherent argument, for or against a position, and convince people of it.  Without mastery of the skills of rhetoric, you can never be a good public speaker.  One of the places that you can acquire this skill is the Toastmasters programme. 

The secondary skill is the ability to command the space, which is related to rhetoric.  This refers to how you stand, the manner in which you speak, and your gestures.  There is no point in being able to speak beautifully if you your body language undermines your credibility. 

Finally, you actually need to have an educated and informed opinion about the subject matter you want to speak on.  Otherwise, have no real credibility to advance your position beyond the immediate fan base.