How to Deliver a Speech

Speaking Characteristics

VOICE• Loud enough to be heard• Clear enough to be understood• Change pitch and tone• Emphasize key words

Posture• Stand straight with head up• Stand still• Your posture will show your attitude: A confident presence is

an aspect of your credibility.• Don’t be scared: fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy:

We can make ourselves fail . . . or succeed.

Body Movements• Gesture when appropriate – don’t over gesture• NO fidgeting with your hands• No hands in pockets• Don’t chew gum• Move like you do in normal life, but much less

Rate of Speaking• Slow or Medium pace for your audience to keep up• Meet the minimum time requirement• No ums, ahs, yea

Eye Contact• Look at audience• Don’t “watch your own feet when you dance.”• Don’t stare at one spot• Don’t “read” your speech

Planning• Pick a topic you know about• Web your topic• Rough Draft fully written• Proof-read• Final Draft key words only on notecards• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE - say it out loud every day

Rehearse Places to practice the words:

In front of family, friends, pets.In the car.In the shower or bathtub.Somewhere where you can shout without

being heard. In your mind when your lips are tired.Stand in front of a full length mirror and

video tape yourself.

Stage Fright Is Good and Makes You Better Looking Too!

• Stage fright isn't the most accurate term for what you are feeling. Most of the fear occurs before you step on-stage. Once you're up there, it usually goes away.

• Nervousness doesn't show one-tenth as much as it feels.• Nobody ever died from stage fright or speaking in public. • It makes your reflexes sharper. It heightens your energy, adds a

sparkle to your eye, and color to your cheeks. When you are nervous about speaking, you are more conscious of your posture and breathing.

http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-stagefright-article.htm

Stage Fright Is Good and Makes You Better Looking Too!

Symptoms of Stage fright• Dry mouth• Tight throat• Sweaty hands • Cold hands • Shaky hands• Nausea• Fast pulse • Shaky knees • Trembling lips http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-stagefright-article.htm

Stage Fright --Strategies• Be extremely well prepared• Organize your speaking notes• Absolutely memorize your opening statement so you can recite it on

autopilot if you have to• Practice, practice, practice. Especially practice bits so you can spit

out a few minutes of your program no matter how nervous you are• Anticipate hard and easy questions• Be in the room early.• Yawn to relax your throat. • Doodle. • Breathe deeply, evenly, and slowly for several minutes. • Don't drink caffeinated drinks. • Go somewhere private and warm up your voice, muscles, etc. http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-stagefright-article.htm

Stage Fright --Strategies cont’d.• Look at your notes. • Double check your A/V equipment including the public address

system, projectors, etc. • Put pictures of your dog, girlfriend, parents, etc., in your notes. • If your legs are trembling, lean on a table, sit down, or shift your

legs. • Listen to music/Read a poem/something that relaxes you • Take quick drinks of tepid water. • Do isometrics that tighten and release muscles. • Pretend you are just chatting with a group of friends• Close your eyes and imagine the audience listening, laughing, and

applauding• Remember happy moments from your past

http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-stagefright-article.htm

Stage Fright--Strategies Cont’d.

Try not to hold the microphone by hand in the first minute. • Don't hold notes. The audience can see them shake. Use

three-by-five cards instead. • Use eye contact. It will make you feel less isolated. • Look at the friendliest faces in the audience. • Joke about your nervousness.

http://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-stagefright-article.htm

Demonstration Speech: How To……• Wrap a present.• Sign for the deaf. • Swing a bat.• Roll clothes to pack a suitcase. • Do a card trick• Water Ski• Play an instrument• Bake brownies• Make pancakes• Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich

• See my website for more ideas

USE

• Notecards (memorize some so you don’t rely on all of the notes. Ad lib some parts. Number them in case they get mixed up)

• Props/ Equipment from home• Video Clips (home-made or you tube)• Power Point• PETS

Let’s Practice• TOPIC: How to Brush Your Teeth

Web It

http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Video-Library/How-to-Brush.cvsp