Introducing The Complex Sentence In Public Speaking

The use of a complex sentence in public speaking allows the speaker to cover an extended amount of material in short order by condensing facts. Complex sentences provide a marvelous form for the speaker to introduce pertinent details which support the main theme without forcing them to ramble on for hours on end, eventually losing the interest of their listeners, or to bounce from thought to thought (which eventually has the same effect).

Complex sentences have frequently been referred to concerning their role in public speaking as children in a family. Although children undoubtedly contribute to the family dynamic (anyone who would suggest otherwise obviously doesn’t have any!) they are neither the breadwinners nor (theoretically) the primary decision makers. They cannot survive without the care and support of their family. So it is with complex sentences.

A complex sentence, by definition, contains both a dependent and independent clause. For example, “She drove to the store with her Grandmother to buy groceries, even though she really just wanted to stay home”, is a complex sentence. She drove to the store with her Grandmother to buy groceries is the independent clause. It will stand on its own, and it describes something that was, is or will be. Even though she just wanted to stay home is the dependent clause, completely incomprehensible without the beginning of the sentence but a vital part of explaining her feelings and motivations. Without the addition of the dependent clause the reader doesn’t get a full picture of what’s going on.

When used with the proper pitch and inflection the significance of the dependent clause of a sentence can be conveyed, allowing the listener to become familiar with both the fact and the motivation behind the thought. This is a frequently used technique in public speaking because it allows the speaker to elevate the importance of the idea later on.

 

To use the sentence above as an example, the speaker could then go into great detail about the fact that because the girl was at the store with her Grandmother when she didn’t want to be the group of people she was supposed to meet left without her, forcing her to miss her flight and not to get the job she was hoping for. A thought that seemed so insignificant when first presented can have vital and lasting consequences.

Complex sentences are also an incredible tool in maintaining a sense of diplomacy in public speaking. This is something that is frequently used by professional speakers in order to maintain harmonious relations between various departments. For example, the following complex sentence appeared in the St. Tammany News:

“Despite the best efforts of the police the man remains illusive and his identity a secret.”

The primary focus of the statement is to emphasize the fact that the criminal, a Peeping Tom in this case, remains at large; however, it absolves the local police department of any blame.

Too many students of public speaking learn that in order to give an effective speech they should eliminate complex sentences from their presentation, ascribing to the theory that “less is more”. Far more important, however, is proper mastery of the use of complex sentences in order to properly convey an idea and the motivation behind it. The speaker who can effectively use this resource will be able to convey their thoughts and their narrative in full and obtain the complete support of their listener.

  My Name Is Christopher Carlin And I Want To Give You Twenty Free Public Speaking Tips

Name:
E-Mail: