PUBLIC SPEAKING

Danielle CicaleseCaldwell College

Overview

Fears Skills Getting started Techniques Room setup Slide show Summary Questions

I hate public speaking...

Glossophobia

“The ability to speak to groups is a critical skill for behavior analysts.”

What if I choke?

What if I forget what to say?

What if the computer doesn’t work?

What if someone asks me a question I don’t know?

Need for Public Speaking Skills

3x week address a

group

Building professional relationships

Conducting training

seminars

Briefing for administrators

Getting started

• Create opportunities for short conversations w/ small groups

• Read several books on public speaking

Comfortable talking 1:1

• In vivo desensitization (gradual exposure to fear-producing stimulus)

• If you need help find a behavior analyst that specializes in this area

Fear of public

speaking

Techniques for Public SpeakingPrepare your talk

Content-your message Delivery-how you tell the story

Step 1: Identify the Key Points of your talk

Start by outlining your presentation

30 minutes=6 key points

Arrange your points like a story: beginning, middle, and end

Step 2: Find the Hook

• Can be a question• Humorous story• Dramatic stats• Well-chosen quote

“The hook brings ‘em back”- John Popper

Step 3: Presenting the Content“Bulk of Talk”

Key Points

HookContent

1. Avoid crowed slides2. Use bullet points3. Focus on highlights4. Organized without being boring

Step 4: End with a BANG! Come back to the teaser

Dramatic photoQuote that wraps up the talkOr humorous anecdote

Room setup & equipment check

Arrive 30 min prior Create a comfortable environment

The room is usually not set up by presenter You can ask for changes that suit your

needs

Lighting & Temperature

Make sure you know how to control the lighting

-prevents loosing time & puts you in charge

Too warm-people get sleepy

Too cold-people may just complain or leave

Audience Seating

Gently ask people to move closer in rooms that are too large for your audience size

Have crew arrange chairs or add tables OR ask to move to another room

Testing the equipment

Have staff check for feedback

Ask for limitations about equipment (ex: is there a delay on the microphone)

Plug in your laptop, make sure it works

Advance a few slides just in case

Have a title slide when you enter the room w/ your name & affiliation

Music1. Sets the mood

2. Warms the environment

“I loved the music”-most common

feedback all over country

Meet & Greet Take the extra time

to introduce yourself Leave yourself

enough time after dealing with equipment and room setup

Delivery

Practice-if possible in the room you are speaking in, videotape yourself to check for non verbal behaviors

Relax!-take several deep breaths, you know what your are talking about and people want to hear your story

Conversational mode- tone of voice, loud/soft, pauses for effect

Creating an excellent slide show

Slide show cont.

Six words per line Six lines per slide

“Presentationzen”-Reynolds…Japanese designBeautiful, efficient, well-designed

Presentationzen

Summary

Don’t give a “talk”- be in the moment

Tell a story

Take time to set up and get to know your audience

Be prepared & practiced

Enjoy! Your efforts will be recognized

Additional Resources

http://www.toastmasters.org/tips.asp

References

Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2010) 25 Essential skills & strategies for the professional behavior analyst. Routledge.