Public Speaking Tips

1. Public Speaking Tips How to sound (and look) like you know what you’re talking about!

2. Why is public speaking different than talking to a friend?

3. Why… • Because you have an audience! • A group of people who will listen to you. • Because you have authority! • You are speaking in public about something you know a lot about.

4. Tips for Speaking in Public

5. Before Speaking in Public • Before you speak in public you should think about your hygiene. • Good hygiene means being CLEAN. • Shower. • Brush your teeth. • Shave. • Use deodorant. • Look and smell good!

6. What Do I Wear? • Before you speak think about how you want to present yourself. • Wear clean clothes when you speak in public. • This means leave your sweats, UGGs, and hoodies at home!! • Dress to impress. • The better you look, the better you feel. • Wear “nice” clothes, like the kind you would wear for an important job interview. • Don’t wear clothes that have messages on them.

7. What Will You Say? • Prepare your speech ahead of time. • Think about what you will say. • Make short notes about your important points. • Write or draw notes to remind yourself about what you want to say. • Make short notes about your important points. • Use pictures to help you remember what you want to say.

8. Practice Makes Perfect • Practice your speech before you speak in public. • Doing this in front of a mirror will help. • Ask a friend to listen to you. • Ask a friend to tell you what they like or dislike about your speech. • Ask them to tell you if you say anything that they don’t understand.

9. During Your Speech • Tell them what you’re going to do. • What will you talk about? • Do it! Give your speech. • Tell them what you did: Review.

10. K.I.S.S.S. • Keep • It • Short • Don’t say more than you need to. • Simple • Don’t use letters, big words, or nick names to talk about something. Use simple language and explain everything clearly. • Sincere • Tell the truth and speak from your heart. Share what is important to you.

11. Use Props • Pictures, Toys, Video, Music and more…Whatever helps make your point • Use “props” during your speech to help make your point. • Props are things like pictures, overheads, videos, etc. • Objects that represent things, and music.

12. Share Your Expertise • Be an EXPERT • Talk about something YOU KNOW! • During your speech remember that you are an expert! • Don’t make things up. • If you are talking about your life, you are the number one authority!

13. Body Language • During your speech remember to use good body language. • Don’t fidget while talking. • Hugging your arms, rubbing your face, crossing legs, cracking knuckles, swaying back and forth, etc. • Keep eye contact, and or focus, with people in your audience. • Don’t stare down at your notes, or up at the ceiling. • Talk TO your audience, not AT your audience! • Also, do NOT just speak to the teacher!

14. Slow and Steady Wins the Race… • Speak SLOOOOOOWLY and CLEEEEEARLY • Keep the mush out of your mouth. • Speak loudly! • Remember those in the back row need to hear you too!

15. Mistakes are Learning Experiences • If you make a mistake, it’s OK! • Fix it. • Clarify your meaning. • Dust the dirt off your shoulder… • and MOVE ON!

16. Clock Watching • If you are given a time limit, then stick to it! • Keep an eye out for when you’re close to reaching your time limit.

17. Politeness Wins Points • Thank your audience for their time and attention!

18. Time is Yours… • Allow the audience time to ask questions about any information that they maybe did not understand. • If you ran out of time, then tell the audience you’re available to answer any questions after the presentation.