Public Speaking

Public speaking is important because it forces you to become cognizant of the concept of audience and of the rhetorical means to influence an audience.  Determine the purpose of your presentation, the response you want from your audience.  Analyze both the occasion and the audience, and select a specific topic.  Gather and evaluate the information you will use in the speech.  Organize the information, creating an outline of the speech.  Carefully choose the diction of primary points and supportive information.  Practice the delivery of your speech.  Effective speaking requires enthusiastic, direct and spontaneous delivery. 

The following are some fundamental principles of effective speaking.

• Effective speaking begins with a specific goal adapted to an occasion and to an audience.
• Effective speaking requires quality information.
• Effective speaking occurs when material is organized and developed well.
• Effective speaking is a product of clear, vivid, emphatic and appropriate diction.
• Effective speaking requires enthusiastic, direct and spontaneous delivery.

The following are some fundamental principles of informative speaking.

• Audiences are more likely to show interest in, to understand, and to remember information that is presented creatively.
• Audiences are more likely to attend to your speech if they like and trust you.
• Audiences are more likely to listen to information they perceive to be new.
• Audiences are more likely to listen to and to understand information they perceive to be relevant.
• Audiences are more likely to understand and to remember information that you emphasize.

The following are some fundamental principles of persuasive speaking.

• You are more likely to persuade an audience when your goal is clear.
• You are more likely to determine the most effective strategy when you understand your audience's interest, level of knowledge, and attitude toward your goal.
• You are more likely to persuade an audience when your speech contains logical grounds and solid backing that support your goal.
• You are more likely to persuade an audience when you organize your material according to the audience's reactions.
• You are more likely to persuade your listeners when your language arouses their emotions.
• You are more likely to persuade your listeners when they think you are credible.
• You are more likely to persuade an audience if you have an effective style of presentation.

Feeling nervous is normal.  You can harness nervous energy to help you do your best work.  To calm your nerves before you speak, arrive at the occasion prepared, ingest only your usual amount of caffeine, and avoid alcoholic beverages.  Immediately before your presentation, consciously contract then relax parts of your body and deeply breathe from your diaphragm.  While you are speaking, pause occasionally, look at the audience, concentrate on communicating well, make eye contact, and make gestures.  Prepare for questions by listing every fact or opinion you can think of that challenges your position.  Treat each objection seriously, and try to think of a way to deal with each.  If you are presenting a controversial issue, you may want to save a point for the question period, rather than making it during your speech.