Public Speaking: Self Expression
First, read the following articles and links:
Helpful Hints for Giving a Speech
- Don't try to wing it. Think about your speech early on and then practice it several times before you actually give it. The more times you practice your speech, the more comfortable you will be when you give it to the actual audience.
- Try to talk about something you know well and feel interested in. When you talk about things you like, your natural enthusiasm will come through.
- Stick with the old saying, "Tell them what you're gonna tell 'em, then tell 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em." In other words, have a simple preview (tell them what you will be talking about), then give them your main points, and finally, give a quick summary of what you talked about.
- Don't read to your audience. It puts them to sleep. Instead, speak to the group naturally as if they were people in your living room. Make eye contact with as many members of the audience as possible.
- Slow down your pace. We tend to speak too quickly when we become nervous.
- Vary your voice. Sometimes you will need to project your voice quite loudly, othertimes you may need to briefly lower it to a whisper. Think of yourself as a good story teller whose objective is to keep the audience awake and engaged.
- Know as much as possible about your audience.Realize that they can only understand you through the veil of their previous experience.
- Do use humor when possible and appropriate, especially in your introduction.
- Do mention your own credentials. Your audience should know why you are the one is who is speaking to them on a particular subject.
- Use your hands to help tell your story and emphasize key points. Don't keep your hands in your pockets or behind your back the whole time.
- Move around the room, don't stay frozen in one spot. Don't feel obliged to stay behind the podium--many great speakers don't use a podium at all because it can act like a barrier between you and the audience.
Next, your assignment is called the The War Story Speech and will be given to the class on our second meeting date.