Pillows don’t belong in the classroom. Drooping eyelids are unnecessary in an assembly. Snores are unwanted in a lecture hall. Yet, all of these and more occur when a public speaker fails to captivate the audience. Whether you are giving a class presentation, sharing research at a conference, or competing in a speech league, you’re eventually going to have to speak in front of a crowd. And if your presentation is not pleasing to the eye or the ear, you’ll face a barrage of blanket-bearing, shoulder-slumping, utterly uninterested spectators.
If you want to get your audience’s attention, win your contest, or keep your class average above “C” level, good public speaking skills are a must. Below are some tips and tricks I have gathered through my years with the Abington Heights HS Speech and Debate Team that may persuade your audience to wake up and pay attention
1. Brainstorming Your Topic
a. Make a Difference. An engaging speech is different. It’s unique. It’s outrageously hilarious or heart-breakingly sad or incredibly significant. Many presentations have some sort of guidelines set; however, you can put a unique spin on even the most overdone topic. By putting a twist on your topic, you won’t just be appealing to the audience’s sense of originality. You’ll also raise awareness about a topic that is not often in the spotlight.
b. Already Covered? If you’ve been assigned a topic, your job is considerably easier. The novelty will appear when you’re crafting the speech itself. Whenever it’s possible, write a speech that contains information that matters to you. If you don’t care about your topic (at least in some capacity), your audience probably won’t, either.
2. Memory Matters
a. Time = Memory. Every presentation has a different timeline. A well-memorized speech is more engaging than one in which the presenter uses note cards. If you're constantly looking down at a paper, the flow between you and your audience will be interrupted. Whenever time allows, make the effort to memorize.
b. Split it Up. When memorizing, take it a chunk at a time. . Give yourself "checkpoints" within the speech; these are go-to passages that you're confident you will remember in case you get lost. Above all, don't try to cram. You may be successful for small passages, but to really lock it in you'll need more than a few hours of practice.
c. Learn to Improvise. If you do stumble while speaking, stop and take a deep breath. Don't panic or stutter, because this will only make you more flustered. Instead, give yourself five seconds to collect your train of thoughts. Continue on from the next point you remember without a hitch.If you don't let on that you're lost, your audience won't have a clue.
3. Widening the Eyes
a. Contact = Connection. Good eye contact is incredibly important. It allows you to address members of your audience personally, and adds a conversational element to even the most formal presentation. Eye contact tells your audience members that you’re paying attention to them, and that you want the same thing in return.
b. Timing is Everything. You shouldn’t stare at one person for the entirety of your speech. It indicates that you don’t care about the rest of the audience and it’s borderline creepy. Instead, move your gaze around the room. Make eye contact with someone different each time you want to emphasize a point, and hold his or her gaze until the end of your sentence or phrase. Then, shift your focus somewhere else.
4. Appealing to the Ears
a. Shout Through the Halls. The audience shouldn’t strain to hear your voice. An engaging speaking voice is clear and several decibels louder than your everyday voice. It may feel strange at first, but when you’re up on stage your natural tendency will be to speed up and soften your voice. Practice will help to combat this urge.
b. Mark Your Words. Look at your speech like a piece of music. Where does your main point fall? Which sentences do you really want to emphasize? Print out a double-spaced copy of your speech and write things in the margins like “speed up,” “get louder” and “lower voice here.” Follow your markings while reading your speech aloud, and record it on your phone. You’ll be amazed when you hear the difference.
5. Speaking Through Body Language
a. The Art of Hand Gestures. When you move your hand (or hands) forward to emphasize a point, make the motion fluid and natural. A good hand gesture lasts no more than five seconds; move your palm forward slightly as you make your point, and then smoothly drop your arm back to your waist. This is just one type of possible hand gesture. If you’re just starting out, try penciling in where you would like to make a gesture in your speech. This way, you can practice your movements ahead of time
b. Stand Straight and Tall. Your every movement should exude confidence.. Stand up straight and keep your head held high. Your audience will be looking at you the whole time you're presenting, so make sure to give them a good show. Smile, nod, and let them know that you're perfectly comfortable up onstage...or at least really good at pretending.
6. Above All, Practice Makes Perfect!
a. Observe the Experts. If you want to be effective, you should watch those who are masters at their craft. Go online and look for engaging TED talks. Notice the inflection in the speakers' voices and the hand gestures they use. Take note of the way they blend humor and logic and make a novel point even on an overused topic
b. Get Caught On Tape: Videotape your practice performances. This will make it easier to see your strengths and weaknesses.
c. Embrace Your Style: Everyone’s speaking style is different. Work hard to master the basics of public speaking, but don’t try to be something you’re not. Whether you’re an amusing orator or a whimsical speaker or a logic-based presenter, you can communicate effectively with your audience and leave them with a lasting impression of your message.
