The Art of Public Speaking
Tips and Tools on How to Prepare and Deliver an Effective Speech
Preparing Your Speech
- Write how you talk
o Avoid complicated sentences, large and confusing words.
o Write simply, straightforwardly
- Practice
- Tips for writing your speech
o Then, make an outline that will help guide you while speaking
o Or, use note cards, and only write key notes to help remind you of the information
Giving Your Speech
- Introduce your topic
- Establish your credibility
o Avoid making comments like, “I don’t really know.”
o Consider the “other side” of the topic before making assumptions
- Avoid rabbit-trailing and tangents
§ Don’t let your own ramblings take you off topic.
§ Don’t let the audience’s questions take you off topic.
Speaking Your Speech
- Evaluate how you speak
o Regulate your volume:
§ Try to speak loud enough that your audience can hear you, but not too loud that their ears start ringing.
o Try to use intonation
§ Change the pitch and volume of your voice throughout the speech.
§ Do it naturally.
- Be polite
- Be comfortable
o Don’t make nervous movements or do nervous habits
- Make eye contact with your audience
o Make it a point to at directly at the people in front of you.
o Include everyone. Don’t talk to one person or one side of the room only.
If you are uncomfortable with looking at the people, look near or around them, but try not to keep your eyes only on your paper.
Visualizing Your Speech
- Use visual aids to make your topic come to life
- Avoid making it distracting
- Explain what the visual is