Steven Hou

Business Communication: Writing Assignment 2

Mental Preparation

A great way to improve public speaking is through mental preparation. Mental preparation relieves nerves, reminds speakers of what to emphasize, and makes speakers more connected to their message. Some speakers allow their nerves to best them, because they focus entirely on themselves, rather than on the message. However, through mental preparation, one can remind himself of the key points of the message, ensuring a successful delivery. The speaker thus becomes more interested, passionate, and confident about his message, which will resonate with his audience. Preparing one’s thoughts beforehand can effectively improve one’s speech.

An Interesting Opening and Closing

To deliver a successful speech, it is important to give an interesting opening and closing. Research shows that people tend to remember the beginning and end of a speech. The biggest fireworks, for example, are always at the end. The beginning and end of a speech can be thought of as a “bookend” holding up one’s speech. To ensure one’s audiences’ takeaways from a presentation are favorable, one should avoid a boring opening and try to grab the audience’s attention; he or she should also close in such a way that leaves the audience convinced and captivated. An interesting opening and closing is key to an ideal presentation.

A Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is necessary to connecting with an audience. Some presenters lack a positive attitude and thus deliver a boring and less impactful message. The audience tends to feel what the presenter feels; making a small change in how one feels can make a large change in how the audience connects with him or her. Content can improve and feel more natural, and the use of hand motions can add to the liveliness of the speech. Approaching one’s speech with a positive energy can make an emphatic difference in the way that audience and presenter connect.