Expand Your Vocabulary

Following up on the article on how to become a better speaker, I am addressing one point each day.  Today is 4. Expand Your Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary. A limited vocabulary can impact the way a person expresses themselves. In turn, this can affect oral communication. Attempt to learn a new word every few days, and incorporate this word into your everyday speech. Be natural and use the word in the proper context.

How could I possibly disagree with this advice?  There’s a Word of the Day role in Toastmasters after all.

Well I do.

A good vocabulary is good, but dazzling people with yours is not the point of public speaking.  There’s so much more that should be addressed in public speaking before this.  So many things missing from the article’s list of 6.  Learn to tell stories in the vocabulary you have.  If you like words, use more rhetorical devices such as alliteration, and rhyming.