PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS
● Public Speaking Tips
○ 1: PREPARE
■ Don’t just read a script - be able to talk with the audience about your topic.
■ Follow the plan - if you have 4 main points, make sure you say all four
points.
○ 2: GET THE AUDIENCE’S ATTENTION
■ Start with a visual, a noise, a joke - something to get the audience focused
on you.
○ 3: ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE
■ Get the audience to DO or SAY one quick thing.
● Ex: Ask a question the audience can raise a hand as an answer that
connects to the next thing you want to discuss.
○ “Who here has ever gone skydiving?”
“That’s a lot! I have, too…”
○ “How many of you think unicorns are real?”
“ That’s about half the audience. Guess what, other half?
They’re right! Let me tell you about narwhals, the unicorns
of the sea…”
○ “Everyone who has a pet at home, please stand up.”
“As you can see, lots of people have pets. That’s why I
want to talk to you about why no one should be allowed to
have a pet.”
○ 4: BE LOUD AND CLEAR
■ Speak loudly without shouting - project your voice.
● Remember: You sound louder to yourself than your audience.
● Get your volume up to just below the shouting level.
■ Don’t cover your mouth
● Don’t put your hand up by your face (lots of people do this when
speaking while sitting)
● Don’t have stuff in your mouth ○ 5: MAKE EYE CONTACT
■ If you don’t look at the audience, you won’t connect to them.
● Don’t hold up notes in front of your face - it blocks eye contact
● Don’t just read off a page - it makes you look like you don’t know
your topic
○ 6: BODY LANGUAGE MATTERS
■ Have good posture - stand up if it’s an option, if not, sit up straight.
■ Don’t turn away from the audience or stand at an angle.
■ Stand still, unless your movements enhance or emphasize your point.
■ Eye contact!
■ All of the above makes you look CONFIDENT - even if you don’t feel
confident.
○ 7: TALK LIKE A HUMAN, NOT LIKE A ROBOT
■ Vary your tone and volume as you speak.
● Avoid turning everything into a question with your tone
● Get a little quieter to pull the audience in, louder to land a major
point
○ 8: HAVE A STRONG FINISH
■ At the very least, be polite - thank the audience for listening
■ Think about a fireworks display- it ends with a big finale. What could your
finale be?
○ 9: PRACTICE
■ Say your presentation out loud.
■ Practicing silently is NOT the same as saying it out loud.