Public Speaking – How to Present an Effective Speech
ByWelcome Back! This is a DoFollow blog using both KeyWordLuv and CommentLuv, so please leave a comment and get a link-back to your blog.
What is one of the biggest challenges in the world?
Public Speaking!
Imagine Presenting To Thousands...
Not only do you have the actual fear of standing in front of people (and all eyes are on you!) but you have to be effective as well.
Public speaking is both an art and a science. There are specific steps that can be taken to command attention and results. A scientific means of presenting your speech will have a lasting effect on your audience.
The following is a precise procedure that will enable you to make an impact in the lives of those listening to your speech.
First and foremost be properly prepared.
Do your home work!
Make sure that you have content and that your content is worth knowing. Once you have completed ample research for your topic familiarise yourself with the material.
An absolute must is that your topic is presenting only one main idea.
Your whole speech will be arguing for this one specific topic. If you have more than one idea you take the chance that your listeners will not remember what you said.
One way to know whether or not you have a proper grasp on your subject is, “Could you have a Q&A session after your speech and adequately answer their questions”?
Next, you will want to organise your findings in a logical sequence.
It must flow for your audience to be interested, understand, and retain it. Your organisation of your points should continuously support the big idea. Providing evidence and reasoning are a strong part of the persuasive process!
Once you have completed the previous tasks you are well on your way to an effective speech.
Now, it is time to consider going to the podium to present your message.
Write out your opening and closing remarks.
You want to be sure that you know how you are going to get started and how you will end. I don’t suggest that you write out your whole speech, but do write out these two areas.
At this time you should have the opening remarks on paper, the outline of the message, and the ending written out.
Now begin to practice your speech.
Determine if you are able to complete the speech within the allotted time given and/or you have enough material to take up the time frame.
People love real life stories!
At this point you have a feel for the speech, now, it is time to add some illustrations or life stories to each point. Illustrations will enable your audience to relate to your subject and remember it. After you have added your life stories practice it again to get a feel for your speech and to check the timing again.
You are ready to present your message.
If possible take only one sheet of paper with you. If you take too many notes you will have a tendency to read or pay too much attention to your notes.
Speak, don’t read.
Present your material in a conversational manner, but be sure to speak up so that everyone is able to hear you. Speak to the furthest person away from you.
Ensure that you are giving the whole audience eye contact. It is not necessary to look everyone in the eye, but you must be scanning them so that they get a feel that you are conversing with them.
Now you can be an amazing efective speaker…go on!
Gosh, I hate to speak in public like that. I was the best man in a friends wedding AND in my brothers wedding, and here in Norway the best man HAVE to have a speach. For my friends wedding, at one point I was thinking of getting into a minor car accident or something, just so I`d get away with not having a speach. I sure am glad my job dont involve speaking in front of hundreds of people.
Good post, a lot of good tips in there. I just wish I`d read it earlier.. It`s as simple as this: if you have a good enough “plan”, you dont have to be nervous. People in control dont get nervous…
Roger,
Public speaking is all around us, isn’t it?
Talking with a group of friends could be classed as Public Speaking and yes in the UK – the best man has to give a speech as well.
Most people do think job, large audience when public speaking but it’s not always true.
What about an interview – that could be classed as public speaking as well.
Andrew
Public speaking can be very intense, and it really does pay off to be well prepared, as your article really hits home. Nothing is more embarassing than doing a public speech and fluffing your words, or worse – forgetting them. It reflects bad on you yourself as well as whatever it is you are representing, so remaining calm, being properly prepared, and really honing your public speaking skills can go a long way to improving your public speaking skills. Great article.
Thanks, Sam. You have hit all the right notes in what you say.
Andrew
Andrew @ Manager Skill´s last blog ..List of Articles
Some very useful advice here, but I would like to stress this part: “Present your material in a conversational manner”. This is so important! Listening to a speech spoken in a monotone, too formal or unnatural manner is not enjoyable, and having to give it is worse. Try to keep it light and cheery for the best results.
Rob,
Good tip – thanks.
Andrew
Andrew @ Manager Skill´s last blog ..List of Articles
Nervous speakers often speak too quickly with their opening lines thus losing the impact that those words should convey so it is essential to try to speak in a regular conversational manner when beginning your speech.
It is vital not to speak too quickly at the outset of your speech as this a common error made by both novice and indeed professional speakers.
Making sure you have prepared your speech before hand is vital if you want to deliver an outstanding speech. It’s quite remarkable how many people do actually overlook this issue when preparing for a speech. I also totally agree with you about putting a life story in your speech because it allows the audience to connect with you on a level that they wouldnt otherwise be able to.
Theo@Public Speaking Fear´s last blog ..Public Speaking Fear