The Expressive Performance Method

‘All the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players’ Shakespeare’s ‘As you like it.’

Public Speaking will always be performance

Sociologist Erving Goffman’s (1922-82) work on Performativity was ground breaking. He was one of the first scholars to conduct a study of ‘performance in everyday life.’ His close study of human behaviour led to the influential book ‘The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.’ In it, Goffman explores how our social interactions consist of patterns and habits linked to the belief, ‘In the part one is playing.’ He uses theatrical language to describe various expressive tools of communicating (performance, show, setting, audience.) Using the framework of theatrical language, social scientists interpret non-theatrical behaviour.

Everyone is always consciously or unconsciously playing a role

Wether you are student, teacher, mother, child, manager, staff member everyone is playing a role in their day to day life’s altering communication with each change of role. We come into the world as individuals, achieve characters that become personas. Scholar Park noted’ It is no mere historical accident that the word person in its first meaning is ‘mask.’ Everyone is playing a role…it is in these roles that we know each other, it is in these roles we know ourself. ‘

The limitations of literacy

The written word omits all tell tale record of tone and gesture allowing for misinterpretation and only fragments for intended expression. Certeau, ‘ What the map cuts up, the story cuts across.’ The official map or text hold abstraction that can be misinterpreted by the reader. The active popular spoken ‘story’ or ‘performance’ is grounded in an active , intimate, hands on participation and personal connection.

The Power of Expressive Performance

Expressive performance in public speaking is crucial for engaging the audience. It has the ability to transform the spectators experience from mere observation to active participation. When a performance is dynamic and expressive, it can evoke emotions and create a compelling atmosphere that resonates with the audience and transitions knowledge in a compelling way.

Audience Engagement

When the audience feels connected to the performance, they become participants rather than passive observers. This connection is essential for facilitating a transition of change in their understanding and opinions. The process involves:

  • Empathy: The audience relates emotionally to the content.

  • Connection: A bond is formed between the speaker and the audience.

  • Change: The audience's knowledge and opinions evolve through this engagement.

The Role of Emotions

Emotions play a significant role in how audience members process information. They are more likely to change their understanding when they feel something about the topic being discussed. The journey from feeling to understanding to knowing is essential in public speaking:

  • Feeling: The audience experiences emotions related to the content.

  • Understanding: These feelings lead to a deeper comprehension of the subject.

  • Knowing: Ultimately, this understanding transforms into knowledge.

Public Speaker's Journey

The public speaker's journey involves conveying knowledge in a way that is engaging and expressive. This requires:

  • Preparation: Speakers must know their material thoroughly.

  • Expression: They need to find dynamic ways to present their knowledge.

  • Performance: The delivery must be engaging to facilitate audience connection.

Elements of Dynamic Performance

A dynamic performance incorporates various elements that enhance the audience's experience:

  • Voice: The speaker's vocal delivery is a powerful instrument for engagement.

  • Environment: The atmosphere of the room can significantly impact the performance.

  • Performance Elements: Utilising different performance techniques can elevate the presentation.

Conclusion

In summary, effective public speaking is not just about the content but about how it is delivered. A dynamic and expressive performance can lead to meaningful audience engagement, fostering empathy and understanding that ultimately results in knowledge transition.

A Dynamic performance becomes knowledge Transition.