Public Speaking Tips

Presented by Robin Hall and Linda Ross,Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences

Fear of Public Speaking

• Population • No.3 fear=Death• No.2 fear=Snakes• No.1 fear=Public Speaking

• Stage fright-In spotlight-unprepared-inexperienced

Effective Communication

• Preparation

• Practice

• Presence

Effective Communication

• Preparation– research– format– speak on what you know – notes are ok to outline main points

(note cards vs. full sized paper )

“The audience has come to hear you, not merely to stare at images tossed onto a screen. Build a strong PowerPoint program, but make sure that your spoken remarks are no less compelling. "PowerPoint doesn't give presentations — PowerPoint makes slides.”

Matt Thornhill, president of Audience First.

PowerPoint Guidelines

• Uncluttered slides• No more than 5 lines• Good text contrast• Large enough font• Be prepared to improvise in case of technical

difficulties!!!!

PowerPoint Tips

• Have compelling material• Keep it simple• Minimize numbers in slides• Don't be a parrot• Time your remarks

PowerPoint Tips

• Give it a rest• Use vibrant colors • Use various images, videos, cartoons, graphics • Distribute handouts at the end • Edit ruthlessly, then let someone else review

Effective Communication

• Practice- practice makes perfect

(but don’t memorize!)- revision

- get time right

Effective Communication

• Presence -nervousness-body language

-voice tone-gestures-eye contact

-positive attitude

Things You Should Do

• Eye contact• Can glance at notes• Appropriate

gestures• Rhetorical questions

to involve audience

Things You Should Do• Use an introduction to:

– Get attention– Introduce the topic– Provide motivation– Establish credibility– Preview the speech

• Use a conclusion to:– Summarize your speech– Reemphasize the main idea– Motivate a response– Provide closure

Things You Shouldn’t Do

• Read directly from notes• Read directly from screen• Turn back on audience• Slouch, hands in pockets• No um, ah, you know’s• No nervous gestures• Talk too fast, • Talk too quietly

Examples of what NOT to do:

• Sample – “The unique features of this presentation is the tips given here are time tested over 25 years among youth “

Matter 15

Public Speaking

• #2• ORGANISE your speech into three

basic parts• Attractive - INTRODUCTION • Meaningful - MAIN SPEECH • Clear & Crisp - CONCLUSION

LANGUAGE 16

Public Speaking- LANGUAGE

#11• AVOID grammatical faults

LANGUAGE 17

Public Speaking

• #19• AVOID :• Putting on an unnatural / foreign

accent

Ten Successful TipsControl the “Butterflies”

• Know the room- become familiar with the place of presentation

• Know the audience- greet or chat with the audience before hand. It’s easier to speak to friends than to strangers

• Know your material-increased nervousness is due to un-preparedness

Ten Successful TipsControl the “Butterflies”

• Know the room- become familiar with the place of presentation

• Know the audience- greet or chat with the audience before hand. It’s easier to speak to friends than to strangers

• Know your material-increased nervousness is due to un-preparedness

Control the “Butterflies”

• Relaxation- relax entire body by stretching and breathing so as to ease the tension

• Visualize giving your speech-Visualize yourself giving your speech from start to finish. By visualizing yourself successful, you will be successful!

Control the “Butterflies”

• People want you to succeed-the audience is there to see you succeed, not to fail

• Don’t apologize-by mentioning your nervousness or apologizing, you’ll only be calling the audience’s attention to mistakes. Smile and act natural.

Control the “Butterflies”

• Concentrate on your message-not the medium. Focus on the message you are trying to convey and not on your anxieties– Keep your speech focused– Divide your speech into compact segments– Analyze your audience carefully– Adapt to situation

• Turn nervousness into positive energy-nervousness increases adrenaline, transform it into vitality and enthusiasm

Control the “Butterflies”

• Gain experience-experience builds confidence, which is key to effective public speaking

Practice takes you from this..

To this….

Public Speaking Icebreaker

If you could be any public speaker (famous or not),

who would it be and why?

Public Speaking Resources

• Toastmasters Internationalwww.toastmasters.orgToastmasters meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly or bi-weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role. There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.

Public Speaking Resources

The Toastmasters website has information on:-Giving a Eulogy-Toasting Tips-Presenting an Award-Accepting an Award

-What You Should Have Said -Business Presentations

-The 10 Commandments of Communication

Public Speaking Resources

Books• In The SpotLight, Overcome Your Fear of Public

Speaking and Performing by Janet E. Esposito

• Public Speaking (8th Edition) by Michael Osborn, Suzanne Osborn and Randall Osborn

• The Exceptional Presenter: A Proven Formula to Open Up and Own the Room by Timothy J. Koegel

Public Speaking Resources

Books• How to Leave Your Audiences Begging for More by

Chris King

• 101 Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers, Caryl Rae Krannich Ph.D.

• Great Session Openers, Closers, and Energizers: Quick Activities for Warming Up Your Audience and Ending on a High Note by Marlene Caroselli