The moment has come. You're about to make an important speech in
front of a large crowd. You walk up, get ready, open your mouth,...
and then silence. Here's something for you to do to effectively
speak in front of that large crowd.
Steps
- Write a speech. Write down little notes about what you'd like
to include in your speech. Is there a certain subject you have to
speak about, or is it your own thing? Research it! Find interesting
facts about your topic to include. Add in special effects in your
speech. Make the audience think! Put pauses in your speech where
there would be points to really think about something, like a past
experience, an answer to a question, or an opinion. Write down
sentences or paragraphs that make the audience visualize something.
Imagine or What if there are two ways to start of something like
that. Maybe add in a little humor to your speech. A little joke
every now and then will keep a person interested in your
speech.
- Review your speech. Make sure there aren't things you aren't
embarrassed to say, or are not positive of the pronounciation. It
will also help to not use words you don't know the meaning to, so
you don't use a wrong word or don't give it the right emotion. And
also, if you use too many words that people don't know the
definition of, that alone might make them not care for your speech,
considering the fact they wouldn't have a clue what you were
talking about. Make it seem like you're writing an essay for
school, and go through grammar, spelling, punctuation, and so on.
Even the slightest mistake could mess you up. And finally, have a
friend or two read over your speech. Ask their opinion on it, for
things you could improve, and ask questions about it to see if they
got the point about what the whole thing was about. See if they
actually learned from it. Using those pointers, make one last
speech, making it the best you can make it.
- Be sure to practise at home if you get nervous. The more secure
you feel about it, the less likely you will be too nervous. If the
crowd throws you off, just imagine you're in your room (or where
ever you practiced) just doing one last practice.
- Be yourself. Don't write something in this whole business like
form just to try to impress. Add a little something to make your
speech say "This is me, saying my speech, not that other person
over there". The more "you" you make it, the less work you'll have
to do, which means the less you'll have to worry.
- Make yourself note cards. They are a lot easier to use than
searching your speech when you don't remember the next point of
discussion. Try not to put a lot on one card. Usually, one card per
point works, but if there is a lot of information for one, move
onto two or three cards, anything to limit the amount of looking
you do. Don't write down full sentences, just write down simple
notes and ques for you to remember what going on. This also helps
you keep eye contact.
- When it finally comes down to that moment, take a moment to
breathe deeply. Not just a little 1 second inhale, exhale. Inhale
for 10 seconds and exhale for the same amount, and be sure you
breathe in so that your stomach area moves out, and your shoulders
don't move up. If it doesn't work the first time, do it again, and
again, until you feel relaxed and ready. This alone could throw
away enough nervousness to get you through the speech.
- Search the crowd for a buddy or family member. Use them as a
motivation to be the best speaker you can be. If you can't find
them, just remember that they are out there and they see you, even
if you don't see them.
- Begin to speak. Wait, begin to speak, s l o w l y! What you
think is too slow is perfect. What you think is just right is too
fast usually for the people listening. Articulate
everything! It's funny how a word can change into
something tota