How to Prepare and Deliver a Speech

Public speaking is the number one fear that people have. But that need not be your situation if you follow these simple techniques to prepare yourself.

When planning your speech, you should first consider your audience. Why will your topic be of interest to them? How knowledgeable are they about your topic? What experience might they already have that will make them want to hear your speech? Make some notes about these factors as a reference when you proceed with preparing your speech.

To compose your speech, start with three or four main points that you want to convey. Then summarize each point in one very clear sentence. Next, fill in your speech with short concise sentences. Do not use technical jargon. Even if your speech is for a technical audience, stick with factual statements instead of long-winded prose. You want the speech to be informative, not rambling.

Upon rehearsing your speech, use a watch or timer to assure that the length matches your allotted time. If possible, practice in front of a friend or family member. Ask for an honest assessment. When you deliver the speech to your audience, remember how it felt speaking to just your friend or family member.

Speak slowly and stand in a relaxed manner. Let the tone of your voice display your enthusiasm for the subject. Make eye contact with your audience. It's okay to rotate your attention among various individuals in your audience. Don't focus on any one person in the audience for too long. Shift your gaze to different people in the room as you rotate through the sentences in your speech.

Do not read the speech when making your presentation. It's okay to refer to an outline but speak to your audience. Practice memorizing the lines in your speech for short periods of about 15 minutes each. Take frequent breaks to relax your mind for another 15 minutes each. When you practice your speech, first consider the meaning of each line. This will help you memorize the flow of the sentences.

If you have jitters before delivering your speech, this is normal. Just take a few moments to meditate about seeing your audience as a single person. When you look upon selected individuals while speaking, speak one at a time to each of them.