1. Public Speaking By Richard Yun – Team 781
Public Speaking is an important skill for people to have well beyond Robotics.
Let me first ask “How may people are nervous about the idea of public speaking?” Well me too. In high school I would come up with all kinds of excuses not to have to speak in front of people. Growing up I worked in my parent’s restaurant and I would rather work in the kitchen than have to talk to customers.
So what am I doing talking about public speaking? Well I learned a few things along the way that help me be a little less nervous and afraid of talking in front of others. I thought I would share them with you.
It is an often quoted fact that public speaking ranks highly on the biggest fears that people have so this afternoon we will highlight a few tips that can help you get better at it
By Richard Yun – Team 781

2. Agenda When do you need to speak in public? What you talk about
How you say it
Here is the plan
Tell them what you are
going to tell them

3. When? Chairman's Sponsors Events Open House Media Kick off
There are lots of opportunities for people to speak in front of others
Beside robotics there are times in school where you need to speak
Events
Open House
Media
Kick off
Competitions
Tell them

4. What You Say Key Messages Preacher Rules Openings & Closings Stories
Just like it is important to plan your robot before you start building it, it is important to plan what you are going to say.
This planning helps you organize and structure your thoughts
Key Messages: Think about your audience. What is it that they need to hear from you? What 2-3 main things do you want them to remember?
Openings & Closings: Think about how to capture their attention at the beginning and what things you want them to remember or feel when you finish
Preacher Rules: Help your audience by providing some structure and guidance – Tell them what you are going to tell them, Tell them, Tell them what you told them
Tie to the Audience: Think about who your audience is and what they want to may want to know. Think about how to make a connection to the audience
Stories: People remember stories, think of ways you can make your points by telling stories
Openings & Closings
Stories
Tie to audience
Tell them

5. How You Say It Volume Eyes Speed Tone Body Tell them
The actual “performance” is when you take what you have planned and present it
Some tips to keep in mind are:
Volume – Be sure to speak loudly enough so that people can hear. Think about talking to the person at the back of the group. Face them and speak clearly
Eyes – Make eye contact. If you are not comfortable looking people in the eye, look them in the nose (not up the nose, that’s gross) or look at their forehead, look around so you are not staring at people
Speed – When people are nervous they tend to speak fast. Take pauses to gather your thoughts, don’t be afraid of the silence.
Body – Watch your body language, Stand straight, have an open posture
Tone – When speaking be careful that your tone is sending the message you want.
Speed
Tone
Body
Tell them

6. Key Points Breathe Care about what you say Practice Get feedback
A few more key points
Remember to breathe, it seems to be important. Take a few deep breaths before you start and keep breathing as you speak
The most engaging talks are when someone really cares about what they talk about. If you don’t care, why should your audience?
Like any skill, it takes practice to get better at it. Look for opportunities to speak (even for a couple of minutes)
To get better, ask for feedback. In particular ask “What things did I do well? What is ONE thing I could do to be even more effective?”
Tell them

7. Practice Tell us about one good memory you have from Robotics
Chance for people to practice speaking in front of others

8. Summary WHEN? Lots of opportunities WHAT? Plan it HOW?
Voice, Body, Heart
So today we talked about
When you have the opportunity to speak in public
What you talk about
How you talk
We shared a few tips and got some practice
In the post secondary education, in the work world, in the community, people who can speak in front of others are in demand. I know that you are here because you care about robotics, take the opportunity to let other people know how great it is.
Thanks for the chance to spend some time with you.
Tell them what
you told them