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So you have to give a speech…. You will be graded on the following: Eye contact Volume Rate/Speed Poise/Posture Gestures. Eye Contact. In American society, we look at each other when we talk to each other.
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So you have to give a speech… You will be graded on the following: • Eye contact • Volume • Rate/Speed • Poise/Posture • Gestures
Eye Contact In American society, we look at each other when we talk to each other. You should strive to look your audience in the eye while you give your speech. Make eye contact with several different people as you speak. Do not bury your head in your notes!
Volume You want the whole room to hear you, so speak up! Do not mumble or murmur…make your words clear and audible. You will probably have to speak more loudly than you would with a person in a normal conversation.
Rate/Speed Rate is how quickly or slowly you say your words. In a speech, you do not want to speak too quickly. You want to enunciate each word, and make your speech easy to understand.
Poise/Posture Poise or Posture is the way you carry yourself; the way your body is positioned. In a speech, you want to face the audience squarely, and stand up straight. You want to keep your hands out of your pockets. You want to stand on both feet, and not rock back and forth or fidgit.
Gestures Gestures are movements you make with your arms, hands, fingers, and sometimes the entire body. You want to use hand gestures as necessary to emphasize the points in your speech, or to make your presentation more interesting. Don’t stand there like a bump on a log!
Miscellaneous • Appearance: Look confident; dress for the occasion • Facial expressions: Use a variety of expressions to show interest in your topic. • Pitch: Your voice should go up and down in scale. Don’t be monotone!
Practicing • Be prepared! Know your subject, and make an outline Read your outline several times Practice in front of a mirror (posture, gestures, eye contact) Time it for length Practice it over several days
Delivering • Be prepared and organized • Quiet the audience • Take a deep breath • Stand firmly • Speak loudly • Make eye contact • No fidgiting
So there you have it… The main thing about giving a speech is to be confident. Know what you’re talking about. Avoid “um’s” and “uh’s” and other verbal distracters. Watch your body language—be aware of what you’re doing up there. Be enthusiastic about your delivery—don’t bore the audience.