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Public Speaking
How to make a speech
Public speaking is something most of us have to do at least
once in our lifetimes but, for the majority, it is a moment of extreme
stress, fear and trepidation. How come, then, that other people can make a
living out of public speaking? What makes a speaker worth listening to and
how can you rise to your special occasion?
Elocution lessons can help you with all aspects of your public speaking
dilemma but, in the meantime, here are 8 rules for how to make a success of
speaking in public.
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Be yourself
Unless you are a professional mimic (in which case you don't need public
speaking lessons), you will only complicate matters by trying to be a
stand-up comedian, raconteur, wit or whatever person you try to emulate. Far
better is to deliver the speech in your own style and in your own persona.
If you try to put on an act this, combined with your nerves and
inexperience, will render the occasion excruciatingly embarrassing. Just be
yourself - you're a star!
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Don't focus on one individual
An old teaching trick. When public speaking it is very tempting to find a
sympathetic member of the audience to whom you can relate and turn the whole
speech into a one-sided conversation with that person. All this will succeed
in doing is to cause the rest of the audience to switch off. When you speak,
speak to everyone. Develop the ability that a good teacher has - look at
no-one in particular but see everyone. Your eyes should be fixed on infinity
and never, ever, stoop to the level that some comedians do where the only
way that they can look good is to make someone else look bad.
-
Don't try to be too funny
Humour will make a good speech great but too much of anything will spoil it.
If you make your speech a continuous tirade of semi-funny jokes, you will
become boring. Far better to have a few good (and relevant) ones prepared
and punctuate your speech with these witticisms.
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Don't read from a card
Don't read your speech from a card when you are public speaking. No matter
how good a speech it is, if you read it from a card, you will sound like a
60's soap actor. If you keep cool, you can probably do the whole thing from
memory (don't try and memorise it line-by-line, anyway) but, if not, write
down half a dozen keywords and have those to hand to jog your memory and
keep you focussed.
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Prepare yourself physically
Like an important exam, don't cram the night before and wear yourself out.
Try not to worry too much and get some sleep (which will do you a lot more
good). On the day, make sure you don't drink too much beforehand (both from
a slurred speech point of view and also so that you don't need the toilet in
mid speech!). Wear comfortable clothes if you can and don't have change or
keys in your pocket to be fiddled with.
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Think what you would like to hear
Well, if you think it's interesting, there's a good chance your audience
will, too. Likewise if you think the speech sounds like a long, boring rant
then you need to prune it.
-
Don't talk too quickly
A sure sign of nerves is talking too quickly. This has several knock-on
effects - your speech becomes indecipherable, you get through the speech too
quickly and you won't give yourself time to plan the next thing to say. Talk
slightly slower than normal and try to keep your breathing and your
heart-rate even.
-
End on an up-note
People remember the first and last thing you say when you are public
speaking. Therefore try to finish on a flourish or with a funny joke or
happy ending.
Good luck with your public speaking.
Public Speaking
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