The Art of Public Speaking
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
by Connor Davidson
I have done many speeches and have learned much from them. I wish to share my experiences with you so that you may deliver great speeches. So let's start at the beginning. You obviously must write your speech. Here are a few useful tips:
1. Start with some form of address to the audience. The classic is "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening".
2. Introduce the topic e.g. "Since September of last year I..."
3. Consider the audience. Is this the rocket scientists' annual meeting or the talk to primary school children about healthy eating?
4. How long should it be? A good thing to remember is that we speak at about 125-150 words per minute. A one hour talk/speech should be about 7500-9000 words.
5. Get someone to read and comment. You could even post it on SearchWarp.
6. Include a little humor. It makes the speech more enjoyable for the listeners. But don't over do it. I try about one per thousand words depending on the speech length.
Now to deliver the speech. This is what I recommend:
1. You must act confident.
2. Try not to stutter.
3. Learn your speech if you can off by heart. I have done speeches without a podium and only a table. As a result I could not really read my speech.
4. Quality of practice = quality of speech.
5. If you wave your hands, you should put them in your pockets. When doing a speech you always wonder where to put your hands.
6. Sit close to the front before giving your speech. This will make you less nervous as you will have less distance to walk to do your speech.
7. Never just stand and read out your speech look at the audience.
8. Stand up straight.
These are just a few tips to improve your speeches. I hope I have helped you provide powerful, engaging and enjoyable speeches.
Connor Davidson 3/27/09
1. Start with some form of address to the audience. The classic is "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening".
3. Consider the audience. Is this the rocket scientists' annual meeting or the talk to primary school children about healthy eating?
4. How long should it be? A good thing to remember is that we speak at about 125-150 words per minute. A one hour talk/speech should be about 7500-9000 words.
5. Get someone to read and comment. You could even post it on SearchWarp.
6. Include a little humor. It makes the speech more enjoyable for the listeners. But don't over do it. I try about one per thousand words depending on the speech length.
Now to deliver the speech. This is what I recommend:
1. You must act confident.
2. Try not to stutter.
3. Learn your speech if you can off by heart. I have done speeches without a podium and only a table. As a result I could not really read my speech.
4. Quality of practice = quality of speech.
5. If you wave your hands, you should put them in your pockets. When doing a speech you always wonder where to put your hands.
6. Sit close to the front before giving your speech. This will make you less nervous as you will have less distance to walk to do your speech.
7. Never just stand and read out your speech look at the audience.
8. Stand up straight.
These are just a few tips to improve your speeches. I hope I have helped you provide powerful, engaging and enjoyable speeches.
Connor Davidson 3/27/09
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Correct a few mistakes and re-spell check.Otehrwise, brilliant article and I will take this in mind.Also, I am skeptical that we speak so many words per minute.Go on count.I got the statistic form MIT. So it would think it was accurate.
Good advice. I do not like to speak in front of a group of people. I do know that the few times I have, my posture does make a difference.You are very correct. Once you have spoke in front of a lot of people it gets easier.However, the last speech I did was in front of 150 people three video cameras and a photographer.
HI Connor, nice job! These are great tips. I break some of these rules whenever I speak. I am an animated speaker so my hands are very involved. I think the confidence comes from being prepared. I like your statement, "quality of practice = quality speech. Very true! Blessings to you! TeresaThanks for the comment.I say keep your hands in your pockets as a general rule for first time speakers. If animated speeches work for you go on. But generally speaking I would avoid it.
A very interesting and valuable aricle. I am surre it will be very relevant to many people. Thank you for writting this.regards,Swapna
Very nice article Con. This is one of the most important aspect of life today. Thanks for sharing.
You forgot to say what to do after you faint. j/k. I liked this piece because it is solid advice. Hopefully I will never need it.
I have personally made a speech to a section of primary sevens on the importance of sport. I took your advice, kept it short and it worked.Thank you.Matthew
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