PUBLIC SPEAKING

With preparation and practice, any individual can be great at public speaking. Here are some things to take into consideration when preparing for your public speech:

1. Plan accordingly

Tools such as Monroe’s Motivated Sequence and The Rhetorical Triangle can help plan a public speech. In addition, starting with something interesting, such as storytelling, can be a powerful opener in public speaking. Understand the structure of your public speech and the impact you want it to make on your audience. A strong public speech is not something that is written and delivered in a day – it takes days to prepare and plan an effective oration.

2. Practice public speaking

A good speech cannot be delivered without practice. Record yourself delivering your speech and notice your tone of voice, body language, and body stance. When you are practicing, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is your tone of voice controlled?

• Are you putting greater emphasis on important words?

• Are you using a lot of filler words such as “um, er, ah, like”?

• Does your body language correlate with what you are trying to convey?

• Do you look confident?

• Do you have a power stance?

3. Engage with the audience

A good oration should not be one-sided. It is important to get your audience engaged. The audience should be able to feel your power and presence. For example, words such as “I think” or “maybe” limit the power that the speaker has. Instead, use words such as “actually” or “in fact.” Introduce pauses in your oration to not only slow yourself down, but to give the audience a chance to think about what you have said. An oration that is delivered too fast incites confusion and ambiguity.

4. Maintain a confident mindset

Public speaking in front of others can understandably be nerve-racking. We often envision something terrible happening, such as an awkward pause or forgetting what you were going to say. However, it is important to know that these thoughts cause us to be more nervous than we really should be. Stop thinking about your nervousness and fear and instead develop a winning mindset. Be confident in yourself and do not self-sabotage.

Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking

Here are some tips for overcoming the fear of public speaking:

• Organize your thoughts and materials.

• Practice and prepare your speech.

• Eliminate your fear of failure by being confident in yourself.

• Watch your facial expressions and body language in front of the mirror.

• Record yourself and get used to your voice and speaking style.

• Deliver your speech to another person.

• Do some deep breathing and stay hydrated before speaking.

• Incorporate strategic pauses to help regain composure and reduce anxiety.

• Do not memorize your speech – rather, remember key points.

Influencing Through Body Language

1. Body Language

2. Expressing Without Words (MIME Act)

3. Digital Body Language 

Project – Mime Act

Nurturing an Impactful Voice 

1. Voice Modulation

2. Pronunciation and Accent Training 

3. Techniques for a Powerful Voice 

4. Voice Over Techniques

Project - Mimicry

Developing Confidence and Attitude

1. Confidence Building 

2. Building a Positive Attitude 

3. Overcoming Shyness

4. Creating Stage Presence 

5. Overcoming Stage Fright

Project – Fear Factor 

Crafting the Perfect Speech

1. Personal Narrative 

2. Introduction Speech

3. Informative Speech

4. Demonstration Speech

5. Persuasive Speech 

6. Impromptu Speech

7. Monroe’s Motivated Infomercial

Project – Persuasive Speech