By DAN READ (#0560) and CHAD HALEY (#0375)

The freshest batch of American Legion New York Boys State delegates were enlightened on the impact of public speaking skills and strategies in assembly at SUNY Morrisville’s Rec Hall on Monday. Fred Ashforth, an esteemed scholar and highly-praised public speaker, imparted wisdom concerning the “success triangle” and its applications to delivery and life in general.

There were three points to the success triangle that he deemed makes one a good public speaker. The first point is attitude. Attitude is making sure you are in a good head space with the right motivation. With a good attitude, the audience can sense your pride and interest in the topic you are discussing. 

The second point is technique. Technique includes things such as eye contact, hand gesture, and tone. With developing these techniques are skills, you will seem more professional and it will be easier for people to listen to you.

The last point is behavior. Behavior is taking your motivations and skills that you have learned, and putting them into application with practice and the hopes of improvement. With regard to public speaking, behavior is just courageously practicing speeches in front of others, whether that be a room full of people or your dog.

Knowing his audience well, the boys were encouraged by Ashforth’s message, offering frequent nods and a standing ovation to close. The boys are all standout students from their schools across the states, so public speaking is crucial in most of their paths. He added later on that this “triangle of success” could be applied to most anything in life.

Ashforth engaged in a Q&A, answering more specific questions concerning public speaking. “Never speak to a group,” he shared, sparking curiosity. “Always speak to the individual.”