Rhetoric is the science of making speech effective. This definition includes the fact that speech always has an effect, whether we like it or not.

People are often shocked when they see themselves for the first time in a video or hear a voice recording of themselves. That’s me?? That doesn’t sound like me at all!

Oh yes, it does! It’s only when your listen to yourself that you become aware of the language you use every day. The phrases that you use over and over again (“I said...”, “Basically…”, “At the end of the day…”).

Whether you speak short, comprehensible, and complete sentences or create a grammatical carnage that no one can follow.

Or whether you speak in a jargon that may be understandable for experts, but not for an audience that you are trying to win over with your big idea (keyword: Denglish).

Our tip: Use your smartphone to record your presentation without an audience, either as a video or simply as a voice recording. In this way, you can quickly become aware of the rhetorical flaws that can distract your audience from your core message.