How to Make a Speech in Public

Speaking in public is something that I have to do very often. Something it seems I will also be doing even more often in the times to come. I have learned and practiced a lot about speaking in public. In today's corporate world you are regularly required to make presentations to different group of peoples.

It is useful to learn the art of speaking in public, so you can put it to practice if you are ever invited to speak in public or to make a presentation or report in front a group of people. When someone gives you an invitation to speak in public, be it as a best man at your friend's wedding, or at a dinner party or conference, the thing you need to find out includes: when and where it is, when are you required to speak, how to get to the place, will there be a place for you to stay and rest, if you are going to be speaking early in the morning or late in the evening, are you expected to wear any specific type of clothing, will you be catered for and will you have to pay any fees.

If you are preparing for a speech, you need to make sure you do some general research. The audience respects someone who has done their research because the speaker has more things of substance to say. Nearly all public speakers are obsessed with collecting information, anecdotes, jokes and observations.

Things you talk about may be from newspapers, magazines, television, radio, libraries, dictionaries, almanacs, Guinness Book of Records, Biographies, books of quotations, and from encyclopedias. When speaking in public, always check your facts, avoid slander and plagiarism. You should use personal experience when making and preparing a speech. In the preparation of a speech, structure your speech so you tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you have just told them. What ever you are saying in your speech, keep it simple, make it personal so you are enthusiastic about it, and make sure it is unique and original.

When practicing for your speech, check if you are speaking slowly enough, are you changing the speed occasionally and at random times, are you using pauses effectively, and do you use, fillers, (um, er, and others). To get over your fears and nervousness on the day, let all your thought be positive, be completely ready and prepared, be fit and healthy, do not take drugs or stimulants, and most importantly, enjoy yourself.

To present a speech that you have prepared, you may be required to read from your paper verbatim. On other occasions, it is your decision and choice if you read from paper or not. Things to remember is that first impressions count, people instantly judge you based on your appearance. The posture you take and the movements you make sends out strong signals about your attitude.

Make eye contact. It shows that you are being honest, that you are not frightened of them and that you are interested in them, in their thoughts and opinions.