'CONNECT' 47 - Tips on Public Speaking - Telling a Joke

How to tell a joke

“The gods too are fond of a joke.” 
Aristotle

Since public speaking is face to face communication, you have to keep the attention of the audience on what you say retaining their interest. One way to do this is by using humour.

But there is one word of caution: if you are not a humorous person, don't attempt it. Telling a joke should have a natural flow, else it will be counterproductive.

There are lot of advantages in telling jokes in your speech. Jokes will bond the audience cutting across age, race, gender or class barriers. Humour relaxes the audience and makes them more receptive to what you say. In this frame of mind they may be more interested to listen to you. It may make them to link what you said before the joke, what you are saying currently and what you are going to say next. Humour makes your speech live. Humour will help to enliven your speech especially when the subject of your speech is dry.

You should use the right type of jokes which will fit into the subject. You should do a good home work in selecting subject wise jokes, contextualising the same with your speech and practicing before your speech. Else, it will be a failure. Timing is also very important.

N C Sridharan

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