Chris Joffrion

Director of Debate

Western Kentucky University

IMPROVING YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING AND PRESENTATION SKILLS

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR SPEECH WRITING

BEFORE YOU BEGIN…• Analyze the occasion and your purpose

• Analyze the audience

WHAT GOES INTO A GOOD SPEECH?• Begin with a solid introduction • Grab the audience attention

• Establish your credibility

• Preview the main points

WHAT GOES INTO A GOOD SPEECH?• Begin with a solid introduction

• Transition clearly to the body of the speech• Limit the number of main points

• Each main idea should be well supported and developed

• Transition clearly between each main point

WHAT GOES INTO A GOOD SPEECH?• Begin with a solid introduction

• Transition clearly to the body of the speech

• End with a strong conclusion • Transition clearly into the conclusion

• Summarize and review main points

• End on a strong note

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR DELIVERY

IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY…IT’S HOW YOU SAY IT

• Make eye contact with your audience

• Ground yourself

• Talk WITH your audience not AT your audience

• Sound interested and energized

• Don’t be afraid to pause

• Make effective use of visual aids

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS

• Limited color and professional themes

• Limit the amount of text – 8x8 rule

• Limit use of animation

• Don’t speak to the screen

• Don’t be reliant on the slide show

COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION AND THE FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

WHY ARE WE SO AFRAID TO SPEAK?• Novelty and inexperience

• Poor past experiences

• Fear of judgment/consequences

• Thinking that public speaking is different

STAGE FRIGHT = FIGHT OR FLIGHT • Increased adrenaline • Shaking

• Stuttering

• Speaking Faster

• Pacing

• Excessive gestures

• Pacing

COPING WITH OUR FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

• Rethink the role of the audience

• Build confidence through practice

• Manage the physical effects

• Know how you are going to start the speech

• Know how you are going to end the speech