Giving a Speech

1. Giving a Speech

2. Aspects of a Good Speech • Dress Appropriately • Be Confident • Proper Posture/Gestures • Proper Facial Expression • Proper Tone/Volume of Voice • Proper Speaking Pace • Variety in Speaking Patterns • Good Eye Contact

3. Dress Appropriately • Select clothes that will make you feel good, feel comfortable, and be yourself. • Dress above that of your audience

4. Confidence • Even if you are nervous, pretend that you are confident because confidence makes you more convincing and interesting. • Before giving your speech • Keep your head up • Glance at the individuals in the audience • Smile if appropriate • Follow these steps throughout • Three ways to show confidence: • Proper posture • Effective gestures • Proper facial expressions

5. Posture and Gestures • Set your feet or else you will look nervous • AVOID: Rocking on heels, shuffling or tapping the feet, standing awkwardly with one foot crossed behind the other, leaning away from the audience with weight on the back foot. • Before you start to speak, take a stance that is comfortable. • Legs shoulder width apart • Stand where the audience can see you without moving their bodies

6. Posture and Gestures • Moving your upper body purposefully makes you look confident and energetic • DON’T DO THESE: • The fig leaf – hands clasped together in front of the body below the belt • The reverse fig leaf – hands clasped together behind the back • The broken wrist – one hand with a death grip on the opposite wrist • The hobo – both hands in trouser or jacket pockets • The bouncer – arms folded and locked over the chest • The saint – hands folded or steepled together in front of the body. • The drill instructor (or the cheerleader) – both hands on hips • The little tea pot – one hand on the hip • Other nervous activities to avoid: • Fiddle with notes, play with hair, scratch earlobe, jingle loose change

7. Posture and Gestures • Tips to succeed • Keep hands above the waist • Keep hands open • If you have notes, only hold the notes with one hand • Use a big gesture in your opening remarks to loosen up.

8. Facial Expressions • Adjust your facial expressions depending on the tone of your speech: • Friendly/informative: smile and relax • Somber/dramatic: serious • Informative: show enthusiasm

9. Tone/Volume/Pace • PROJECT YOUR VOICE! • Speak to the back of the room • Compensate for background noise • Develop breath control • Speak in a lower pitch • Enunciate clearly

10. Tone/Volume/Pace • Control your speaking pace! • Do not speak too quickly or too slowly • Tips to control pace: • Use pauses • Start at a good pace • Hit the reset button if you notice your pace is too fast • If you speak too quickly, speak even slower during the rehearsal

11. Variety in Speaking • Vary your pitch • Vary your tone • Change the pace • Use dramatic pauses

12. Eye Contact • Talk with the audience not at the audience • Make eye contact at all times • Tips: • Look at interested individuals • Give a little piece of your speech to each individual • Try to make contact with everyone in the audience • Retain eye contact while using visual aids • Visual aids (e.g. Powerpoint) • BULLET POINTS!!!!!!!!!! • IT’S AN AID NOT THE PRESENTER!

13. Quiz • True or False: It is more important to dress above your audience than feeling good and comfortable with what you are wearing. • How can you show confidence BEFORE your speech starts? • Why is it important to have a good posture? • When presenting, where should your hands be? • When giving a presentation, where should you be speaking to? • What are the two best ways to control your pace. • Why is it important to make eye contact?