PUBLIC SPEAKING

….finally allowing you to talk in class

PUBLIC SPEAKING» One of the most common fears

“They would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy” - Seinfeld

» A requirement for most high paying careers

» Difficult for even the professionals» When mastered the subject you are

speaking on won’t matter

GETTING STARTED» DO NOT just sit down and write an

essay that you wish to read out loud

» You must first research three major components» THE OCCASION» THE AUDIENCE» THE PURPOSE

THE OCCASION» Where you will be speaking will

determine the majority of your speech» It determines the length of your speech» It determines the tone of your presentation» It sometimes determines your position

» You will speak differently at different places

THE AUDIENCE» Know who you are talking to

» Family» Classmates» Board of directors» Complete strangers

» This will also determine your tone and your language usage

THE PURPOSE» WHY ARE YOU TALKING?!!!» Your subject matter must be clear» You must know the point you are

trying to make» You must be sure to cover the

material the audience wants

WRITING YOUR SPEECH» Just like any other kind of good

writing, your speech must have a:» BEGINNING» MIDDLE» END

THE BEGINNING» This is your one and only chance to

grab your audience» You must break the ice with a joke

or draw them in with an anecdote» Many people use visual aids to do

the work for them

THE MIDDLE» It must flow clearly from point to

point in some logical order» It is beneficial to clearly label your

points so that your audience knows where you are and where you will be taking them

» Make sure you have one central point your speech is built around

THE END» Must contain your strongest points» You must:

» Summarize your whole piece» Leave your audience with positive

feelings toward your speech» Make it end but leave them wanting

more

DELIVERING YOUR SPEECH

» Know ahead of time how you will be required to deliver your speech - either by:» Notes» Script» Teleprompter» Cue Cards» Memory

Memory is the easiest!!!» Believe it or not, you will make a more

enjoyable speech if you memorize it» Don’t try to memorize your speech word

for word, do it point by point and let your personality fill in the blanks

» Never say “Oops, I forgot” find a way to jump back and cover missed points in a way that seems seamless to the audience.

TIPS» Your appearance counts» Speak clearly, and adjust your voice so

that everyone can hear you - no more» Try to take your time speaking» Effectively use a pause in your speech

can be used to emphasise a point, or to allow the audience to react to a fact, anecdote or joke

MORE TIPS» Make eye contact with your audience (this

helps to build trust and a relationship) - one of the traps of reading your speech

» Do not fidget» Do not keep your hands in your pockets» Only use visual aids that benefit your speech» BE YOURSELF!!