Fundamentals of Oral Communication Northeastern State University

Effective Speaking

Effective Speaking• Know your audience

• Know your purpose

• Be prepared (notes, visual aids, etc.)

Use good language• More conversational

• Less complex

• Repeat key ideas & phrases

• Engage the audience (humor, questions)

Introduction:• Attention Getter – use relevant anecdote,

question, statistic to introduce your topic.

• Relevance – why should we care?

• Road Map – preview the speech to the audience

Anatomy of a Speech

Main Points:• Use specific & relevant examples

• Use clear transitions

• Help make unfamiliar concepts

clearer for audience (metaphors, analogies...)

Anatomy of a Speech

Conclusion:• Highlight & Review Main Points

• Emphasize most important things

• Draw connection with audience – Why should this topic be important to them?

Anatomy of a Speech

Good Habits• Eye Contact – shows confidence, try and

look at everyone in the room.

• Power of the Pause – silence can be a

good thing. Give audience a moment to digest.

• Breathe... It’s a good thing. Relax...

Good Habits• Gestures – use purposefully

• Posture / Movement – stand straight,

avoid shifting back & forth, move if you need to.

adapted from http://speakinghelp.stanford.edu