To sound smart, you have to be aware of how you represent yourself. Develop a confident attitude, knowledge of sentence structure, and a clear style of speech and people will take you seriously. At that point, you are free to say what you know.
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Method 1 of 3: Conversation in a Smart Way
Step 1. Practice clear and fluent speech
Emphasize each word so people can understand you easily. Practice speaking at a steady conversational pace, making every sound clear and real.
- Word games are a good way to practice pronunciation. Try repeating the words "Snakes circle on a circular fence," keeping each sound you make clear and distinct.
- Try eating peanut butter, then practice saying common sentences. The increased stickiness in your mouth will force you to concentrate on your pronunciation.
Step 2. Stop using meaningless words and sounds
Even presidents and public figures often color their speeches with words like well, uh, hmm, and you know, but you could actually speak better. These words will slow down the conversation and make you appear hesitant or unsure. Practice thinking through the entire sentence before you open your mouth, then say the sentence at a steady conversational pace, without pausing or using "filler words."
Keep a jar in your home, and put a coin in it every time you use one of these filler words. Allow your family members to exchange this money for favors - for example, they could return IDR 50,000 from the jar and make you cook for dinner
Step 3. Use specific word choices
You don't need to use difficult words that no one will use in everyday conversation. Instead of doing so, think about common words that you overuse frequently, and replace them with more specific and useful terms. Here are some common examples:
- Instead of saying "nice," "cool," or "fun," describe a situation more accurately. Talk about a "relaxing day," an "adrenaline getaway," or "a person who is friendly and hardworking."
- Instead of saying "chaotic," "bad," or "severe," consider if you meant "tiring," "depressing," or "offensive."
- Don't just say "I loved that movie!" or "I hate the weather." Express an up-to-date opinion, such as "The jokes and action sequences are really well-arranged. Both of these make me laugh and intrigued at the same time."
Step 4. Include opinions as well as facts
Sure, knowledge of a topic will help you to have conversations in a smart way, but don't overdo it and memorize encyclopedia articles. When you learn a new fact, ask yourself these questions so you can develop it instead of just repeating it:
- Why is this fact relevant? Should people change their behavior or opinions after hearing it? (For example, would the testimony of a witness in a case at trial influence the popular narrative of what happened?)
- Is there solid evidence for this fact, and is this evidence obtained from an unbiased source? What different conclusions can you draw from the evidence? (For example, why are GMO foods considered dangerous? Is there any evidence, and who collected this evidence?)
- Are there any unanswered questions related to your topic that you think should be explored further?
Step 5. Listen and ask questions
Don't try to dominate the conversation to show off your intelligence. Demonstrate your curiosity and interest in other topics by letting the other person speak and asking specific questions that show that you are listening and thinking about the topics.
Use honest specific questions, don't just ask "Why?" or how?" For example, say "I don't know much about welding, but it sounds interesting. What was the last time you welded?"
Step 6. Don't try to bluff through a topic
Some people try to project confidence and fabricate facts and opinions directly, even when they've never heard of the topic of conversation before. This is a high-risk tactic, as listeners will usually respond with irritation rather than admiration for the speaker. Asking questions and learning from people who are more knowledgeable will make you more able to contribute to a conversation.
- If someone asks a question you don't know the answer to, say "I don't know, but I can find out and I'll let you know."
- If no one in the conversation understands the topic at hand, you can try to guess logically, but be honest. For example, say "I don't follow this topic in the news, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Senator's talk of political reform disappeared after he was re-elected."
Step 7. Match the jokes with the people you are talking to
When you talk to strangers, make light, non-offensive jokes, or just avoid them completely. When talking to friends, try to learn what kind of humor they like. Some people find teasing fun and entertaining, while others can't stand being teased.
Step 8. Use the correct sentence structure
You don't always have to follow all the rules of sentence structure, especially if you're talking to people who use slang and non-standard dialects. You should still learn the rules of sentence structure so you can make a better impression in job interviews, public presentations, and other situations that require traditional and "proper" language. Search some of the themes below to learn more:
- Learn when you should use the words “I” and “I/my”.
- Avoid informal language when writing.
- Correct common structural errors.
Method 2 of 3: Reflecting Self-confidence
Step 1. Get into a confident posture
If you want to be taken seriously, confidence is just as important as intelligence. Keep your chin straight and stand straight with your shoulders back. Maintain eye contact with the person you are speaking to, or look from face to face when you are giving a group presentation.
Step 2. Avoid sabotaging your own argument
Many people with low self-esteem or are afraid to speak in public will demean themselves by adding the words "I don't know," "I think so," "I think so," "I'm not sure," or " maybe" in their sentences. Remove these words from your conversation, and you and the other person will believe more of what you have to say.
Step 3. Use active sentences
Active sentences sound more convincing than passive ones, especially when you use the word "I." For example, instead of saying "The email will be sent tonight," say "I'll send the email tonight."
Step 4. Use friendly body language
Smile when you listen or talk to someone if needed. Use occasional hand gestures, shrug your shoulders, or move your head to show that you're paying attention.
Try not to sway and shift your weight from one foot to the other, or tap your toes. If you can't get rid of this habit completely, do something less noticeable, like run your toes inside your shoes
Step 5. Wear neat clothes
People often judge you by your outward appearance before you even start talking. Wear appropriate clothing and pay attention to personal hygiene, especially if you are preparing for an important event.
Glasses are usually associated with intelligence. Use glasses instead of contact lenses if you want to look smart. However, be aware that wearing "fake glasses" without measurements can backfire if you're around people who know you don't really need them
Method 3 of 3: Building Knowledge
Step 1. Follow the news
Make sure you stay up-to-date with all the latest happenings, as these are often common topics of conversation. Use a variety of news sources for a more accurate and nuanced understanding.
If you want to impress and make friends with people outside your usual social circle, don't limit yourself to things you find interesting. You don't need much time to read an article a day about politics, sports, science, or popular culture
Step 2. Read different types of books
While movies and other media are also useful learning resources, books are an excellent resource for improving your diction collection, spelling skills, sentence structure knowledge, and critical thinking skills. Read a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction books on topics you enjoy. Stop when you find something interesting and think about your response to it.
Step 3. Improve your word knowledge
As you read, write down the words you don't know and look up their meanings in the dictionary. You can also subscribe to the app or the "Word of the Day" mailing list. Try looking up the Word of the Day from the Oxford Dictionaries, Word Smith, or Dictionary.com.
Step 4. Focus on a hobby or passion
It will be much easier to learn about the topics you are passionate about. This topic doesn't have to be a particular academic or specialized knowledge topic, although you can choose that way. Find a topic that you enjoy doing in your free time, and try to learn as much as you can about that topic.
