How to Give a Speech
Most of us dread making a speech to a group, but if you think of it as simple communication or helping others, you won't be nervous.
Instructions
- Step 1: Know the subject Know your subject and align your message with audience expectations.
- Step 2: Prepare Prepare by role-playing the speech with a cohort to challenge your points. Focus on one topic and set out your speech to cover issues.
- Step 3: Write it down Capture key elements on paper in draft, and refine and edit a day or two later. Be concise and simple, using words that are easy to pronounce.
- TIP: Limit complex formulations, big words, and too many statistics in your speech to avoid losing your audience.
- Step 4: Summarize While you're preparing, summarize your speech in one sentence to be sure you’re on point. Jot notes to trigger stories and metaphors you will use to emphasize important information.
- Step 5: Emulate others Study other speakers and absorb effective tendencies to enrich your presentation.
- TIP: Allusions to people, history, or events must be brief and widely familiar.
- Step 6: Practice and smile Practice in front of a mirror, remembering to smile and gesture naturally. Outline your speech on note cards, but try to get "off book" as soon as you can so your delivery will flow.
- Step 7: Project your voice Project and modulate your voice, using emotion to telegraph key points.
- TIP: As long as it’s not overdone, humor is always a good idea.
- Step 8: Interact with the audience Interact with the audience as you speak, permitting questions and moving around, keeping the presentation dynamic.
- FACT: Did you know? Making a presentation in public is the no.1 fear reported by people in the U.S.
You Will Need
- Knowledge
- Critic
- Paper and pen
- Role models
- Stories and metaphors
- Mirror
- Note cards
- Strong voice
- Audience
