PUBLIC SPEAKING

The Importance of Public Speaking Regardless of who you are and what type of job you currently have or plan to have, there's a good chance that one day you will be required to make a speech in public.

You may have to: Make a presentation to your colleagues. Give a speech at your graduation. Make a toast at your best friends wedding. Make a statement at a public meeting. Or…

Public Speaking is a skill that everyone needs to learn. REASONS WHY: Almost everyone of us will be involved in public speaking. Employers rank public speaking and communication skills as one of the top skills they look for. Being an effective public speaker gives you the tools to make a difference.

Dealing with Fear and Anxiety You are not alone – most people fear public speaking. Overcoming this fear: Prepare for your speech. The more practised you are the more relaxed you’ll feel. Visualize your success. Believe that you will be success and you won’t feel nervous. Realize that no one can see you are nervous. Understand that mistakes are going to happen, no matter how much you have prepared. That’s okay – just carry on.

Step One: BEGINNING TO PREPARE FOR YOUR SPEECH Remember the more prepared you are the more comfortable you will be. What is Your Purpose for Giving a Speech? To inform or give information? To persuade or convince people about something? Is it to make your audience laugh?

Who Will I Be Speaking To? You would choose to speak differently if your audience was: A group of senior citizens A group of adults or A group of students.

What Should My Topic Be? Make sure that it’s one that interests your audience. Do not pick one that is too general. (“Animals in the World” is too big a topic. “Bears in North America” would be better.)

Let’s Get Started!