Tips on Public Speaking: Frightening or Fun?!?. Review on Tips on Examinations

It is said that public speaking can be one of the most frightening experiences an individual can go through. I, on the other hand, absolutely love public speaking. This of course is due to the fact that I’m an outspoken, smart-arsed, opinionated teenager who has something to say about everything, but I find public speaking very stimulating.

It is a performance and you are one-on-one with your audience, with your main incentive being to leave your audience feeling an emotion (joy, sadness, outrage, interest etc.) I have participated in various public speaking competitions and I have seen many speeches being performed, and there are in actual fact only a few basic rules to master in order for any individual to become an eloquent orator.

Please note that the contents of your speech may be brilliant, but if your delivery is awful no one will know or care about what you have to say. Also note that if the content of your speech is pretty mundane, you can disguise that fact by giving your audience a brilliant performance.

THE BASICS

· Be familiar with your topic. I cannot stress the importance of this fact. This way, even if half way through your speech, you forget your next point, you will be able to babble on until some frantic mental exercise brings about your next argument. It is awful seeing an orator suddenly stop, look frightened, gasp helplessly as they panic and try desperately to think of what to say next.

· If you want to command the attention of your audience for a few minutes, you must give them something to look at. I’m tired of seeing fully grown adults try their hardest to hide behind 2”x4” palm cards. Stand upright with your shoulders back. Appear confident and knowledgeable. This does not mean however that you should look like you have a pineapple wedged firmly up your rear end. The best stance to adopt is a self assured and relaxed one. This is a performance and it is imperative you look the part

· It is Vital in public speaking that you use appropriate voice modulation. A sure fire way of making your audience feel jaded is speaking in a monotone voice. Vary the speed, inflection, tone and volume of your voice constantly. This way you are exuding vitality and interest in your own topic, and your audience will soon feel the same way.

· Make eye contact with your audience. This is absolutely essentially. One very effective way of alienating your audience is by addressing the window, the podium, or in one case I witnessed, a moth hovering around a light. By looking at your audience, even if they appear to be merely a dark mass in front of you, they will generally look back at you out of pure instinct. This customarily means they are listening to you, so you have the opportunity to get your point across.

· Wait for your applause. You deserve it. It is most irritating to see an orator stride of the stage while muttering the last few words of their conclusion. Remember, an empty podium does not give much cause for excitement, and will not receive a standing ovation.

SOME COMMON TYPES OF SPEECHES

The Humorous Speech Comedy is indeed a very effective technique to keep your audience interested. To make this type of speech effective, radiate confidence. Don’t be afraid to smile or laugh a little, not at your own jokes, but laugh because you appreciate the audience reaction. Learn to differentiate between a humorous speech and a stand up comedy act. When giving a speech, your main incentive is to get your point across, whereas in stand up comedy, it to make the audience laugh.

The Passionate Speech A common mistake made when using this style of speaking is shouting at your audience. Indeed a strong, loud passionate voice is very effect, however it can also get too much, leaving your audience feeling almost abused. In many cases a soft, reasonable voice can be much more effective, as it is subtle and it sounds like the facts are coming from a level headed person who had time to think the matter through, rather than a hot headed person who just angry and frustrated. The most effective passionate speeches combine the loud passionate voice, and the soft voice of reason. Remember, in theatre a deadly whisper can appear more sinister than a shouted threat.

The Informative Speech This speech can sometimes get very dull. Try to spice it up by adding a few witty jokes or anecdotes. Be fully informed so you can answer questions knowledgably. Try to use colour diagrams or PowerPoint presentations to make it a bit more interesting. Make good use of your podium by traveling around a bit to make sure there is a bit of activity your audience can watch. If possible, encourage audience participation by asking them to come forward to demonstrate a point or help with an experiment. One of the most effective speeches I have witnessed was on peer pressure when the orator pulled members from the audience and they performed a brief role-play. To make a successful informative speech, you must get creative and use your imagination.

One of the most satisfying feelings I experience is after giving a performance. It gives you a real adrenaline rush. Remember if your speech did not go quite the way you planned - don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed. Every individual in the crowd is human and they can all appreciate how difficult it is to address an audience. Just try to figure out where you went wrong so you don’t make the same mistake twice. Obviously public speaking is not for everyone, but there is no real reason why everyone cannot be a decent public speaker.