Public Speaking

Importance of Communication
Class Presentations Field Research Business Communications Public Speaking (Politics)

Fear of Public Speaking

Population No. 1 fear - Public Speaking No. 2 fear - Death Stage fright - Being in spotlight - Being unprepared - Being inexperienced

Sample Speech Outline

I. Introduction
Thesis

II. Body
Support arguments

III. Conclusion
Review

Effective Communication
Preparation Practice Presence

Effective Communication
Preparation
Know your subject - It is much easier to speak on what you know Do research to support your thesis Notes - outline the main points or create a PowerPoint presentation
- Slideshare.net

- Note cards vs. the 8 x 11 shield

Effective Communication
Preparation
Research - research the subject Format - speak on what you know - Notes - outline main points

- Note cards vs. full sized paper

Most people are more deeply influenced by one clear, vivid, personal example than by an abundance of statistical data.

Eliot Aronson, Social Psychologist

Effective Communication
Practice is the best of all instruction.
Practice - practice makes perfect - getting timing right - making revisions

Effective Communication
Presence - Nervousness - fear is natural - Body language - voice/tone - gestures - eye contact - Positive attitude

The Pros of PowerPoints

Simple to prepare Can be easily changed and edited Can be used again and again Portable Impressive and Entertaining

The Cons of PowerPoints

They can become a crutch They take time to prepare They can be a distraction for your audience members What could go wrong? (and other famous last words!)

Things You Should Do

Make Eye contact Dont read from notes -only glance at them Use Appropriate gestures to illustrate a point Use Rhetorical questions to involve the audience

Things You Shouldnt Do

Read directly from notes Read directly from screen Turn your back on audience Slouch with hands in pockets Fill pauses with um, ah, okay Repetitive nervous gestures Talk too fast or too quietly

Ten Successful Tips to Control the Butterflies

1) Know the room - become familiar with the place of the presentation 2) Get to know the audience - greet or chat with the audience before hand. Its easier to speak to friends than strangers 3) Know your material - increased nervousness is due poor preparation

Control the Butterflies

4) Relax your body by stretching and breathing to ease the tension 5) Visualize giving your speech from start to finish. By visualizing success, you are more likely to be successful 6) Gain experience-experience builds confidence, which is key to effective public speaking

Control the Butterflies

7) Remember, people want you to succeed - the audience is not there to see you fail 8) Dont apologize - by mentioning your nervousness or apologizing, youll only be calling the audiences attention to mistakes which they might otherwise not be aware of

Control the Butterflies

9) Concentrate on your message-not the medium. Focus on the message you are trying to convey and not on your anxieties 10) Turn nervousness into positive energy-nervousness increases adrenaline, transform it into vitality and enthusiasm

Positive Non-Verbal Feedback

Smiling Nodding Eye Contact Relaxed Posture Facing you directly Unbuttoned jackets Leaning forward Sitting on edge of chair Hands in open position Legs and arms uncrossed

Negative Non-Verbal Feedback

Dead expression Tight lips Frowning Avoid eye contact Squirming Doodling Fidgeting Fiddling with hands Turning away Slumping posture Sitting or leaning back Crossed legs or arms Yawning Snoring

Practice takes you from this..

To this.