So, you are thinking about giving a speech, and you have no idea how to start or even who should be in your audience. Chances are, if you have never given a speech before, you won’t have any idea what to do. So, here are some tips for helping you prepare for public speaking.
You need to choose a tone for your voice. Do you have a low or high-pitched voice? Which way is right for you? If you have trouble with pitch, you might want to use a tone that is slightly higher.
Using the correct posture can make all the difference in public speaking. A few points to consider: feet must be square when standing up, elbows must be parallel to the ground, and you should keep your head down. You don’t want to make your body into a “V” shape as you move forward, but keeping your body upright and your head down will help keep you on track.
Think about what is happening in your speech. Are you trying to persuade your audience, or are you trying to persuade yourself? It is important to give yourself plenty of time to think before speaking, so try to hold your speech at least an hour, ideally a half hour. Your speech should be interesting and thought-provoking, and it should give you information to relate back to in class or to your child.
Your first line should be the opening paragraph. Your rest of the speech is about developing your subject. The best time to give a thesis statement is after introducing your topic. Many students find it helps to write down a list of questions as they research. By writing down a list of questions, you will be able to answer those questions later.
Be prepared and show respect to your audience. A good sign of respect is to always address the person at the front of the room, instead of the last person in the line. People will generally show respect for the speaker by moving over and sitting down in front of them. This could also be the last person in the line.
When public speaking, it is very important to be calm and cool. Feel free to get into a tangent, but do not continue to ramble. Only continue if you actually have something to say. In most cases, when speaking in public, you will be addressing a specific audience, so you will want to be prepared to speak about a specific topic.
Really, it is important to avoid clapping as much as possible. While clapping helps you build your voice, clapping also shows that you were talking and not listening. Your eyes should be fixated on the speaker, and you should not be distracted. Pay attention to the content of the words. If you really want to clap, do it while you are speaking, as this helps to set the tone for your speech.
It is a good idea to check your speech and see if it flows smoothly. If you notice that there are areas where the flow of your speech is not as you would like, it is best to look over the speech and remove the problematic lines. This can help you in future speeches and make sure that you do not miss an important point.
It is a good idea to practice your speech before you give it. This will help you so that you can relax when giving a speech. Some people give their speeches in front of people, but others may want to practice before giving a speech in a classroom. If you are worried about being nervous before a speech, feel free to ask someone to act out the speech for you.
Public speaking can be a little nerve-wracking, but with the tips listed above, you will be able to ease into your speech and avoid a nervous breakdown. Remember, a speech is your chance to share what you know and make a lasting impression on your audience.
