Public Speaking

Importance of Communication zClass Presentations zField Research zBusiness Communications zPublic Speaking (Politics)

Fear of Public Speaking zPopulation xNo. 1 fear - Public Speaking xNo. 2 fear - Death zStage fright - Being in spotlight - Being unprepared - Being inexperienced

Sample Speech Outline I. Introduction xThesis II. Body xSupport arguments III. Conclusion xReview

Effective Communication zPreparation zPractice zPresence

Effective Communication zPreparation yKnow your subject - It is much easier to speak on what you know yDo research to support your thesis yNotes - outline the main points or create a PowerPoint presentation - Slideshare.net - Note cards vs. the 8½ x 11 “shield”

Effective Communication zPreparation yResearch - research the subject yFormat - 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.” zEliot Aronson, Social Psychologist

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

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

The Pros of PowerPoints zSimple to prepare zCan be easily changed and edited zCan be used again and again zPortable zImpressive and Entertaining

The Cons of PowerPoints zThey can become a crutch zThey take time to prepare zThey can be a distraction for your audience members zWhat could go wrong? (and other famous last words!)

Things You Should Do zMake Eye contact zDon’t read from notes - only glance at them zUse Appropriate gestures to illustrate a point zUse Rhetorical questions to involve the audience

Things You Shouldn’t Do zRead directly from notes zRead directly from screen zTurn your back on audience zSlouch with hands in pockets zFill pauses with um, ah, okay zRepetitive nervous gestures zTalk 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. It’s 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

7)Remember, people want you to succeed - the audience is not there to see you fail 8)Don’t apologize - by mentioning your nervousness or apologizing, you’ll only be calling the audience’s 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 Control the “Butterflies”

Positive Non-Verbal Feedback zSmiling zNodding zEye Contact zRelaxed Posture zFacing you directly zUnbuttoned jackets zLeaning forward zSitting on edge of chair zHands in open position zLegs and arms uncrossed

zDead expression zTight lips zFrowning zAvoid eye contact zSquirming zDoodling zFidgeting zFiddling with hands zTurning away zSlumping posture zSitting or leaning back zCrossed legs or arms zYawning zSnoring Negative Non-Verbal Feedback

Practice takes you from this..

To this….