Public Speaking Skills

Organized By: Rana Asif Shahzad Ali 

What is public speaking? Basically, it's a presentation that's given live before an audience. Public speeches can cover a wide variety of different topics. The goal of the speech may be to educate, entertain, or influence the listeners. Often, visual aids in the form of an electronic slideshow are used to supplement the speech. This makes it more interesting to the listeners.

Whether you're a small business owner, or a student, you'll benefit from improving your public speaking skills. Some benefits to speaking in public include:

• ·         Improves confidence 
• ·         Better research skills
• ·         Stronger deductive skills
• ·         Ability to advocate for causes
• ·         And more

Because speaking in public is done before a live audience, you need to consider some special factors.

The truth is that speaking in public is a skill. And you can learn any skill. While some people may have more natural speaking ability than others, anyone can learn to be a better public speaker. It just takes some know-how and some effort.

To help you become better at giving public speeches, we'll take a look at these five areas:

• ·         Writing the speech/Topic
• ·         Overcoming a fear of speaking
• ·         Practicing the speech
• ·         Preparing your presentation slide designs
• ·         Giving the speech

Public Speaking Tips for Students

1. Choose Your Topic Wisely

If you are able to pick your topic, try to pick something that interests you and something that you want to learn about. Your interest will come through your speech.

2. Visit the Room Beforehand

If your presentation is being held somewhere outside of class, try to visit the location beforehand to prep your mind and calm your nerves.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

Practice, practice, practice! The only way you will feel fully confident is by practicing many times, both on your own and in front of others.

4. Talk to Someone about Anxiety

If you feel anxious about your college presentation, tell someone. It could be a friend, family member, your teacher, or a counselor. They will be able to help you with some strategies that will work best for you.

5. Remind Yourself of Your Audience

Remember, you are presenting to your peers! They all likely have to make a presentation too at some point, and so have been or will be in the same boat. Remembering that your audience is on your side will help you stay cool and collected.

6. Observe Other Speakers

Look at famous leaders, or just other students who typically do well presenting. Notice what they are doing and how you can adapt your performance in those ways.

7. Remind Yourself of Your Message

If you can come up with a central message, or goal, of your college presentation, you can remind yourself of it throughout your speech and let it guide you.

8. Don’t Apologize

If you make a mistake, don’t apologize. It is likely that no one even noticed! If you do feel you need to point out your own mistake, simply say it and keep moving on with your presentation. No need to be embarrassed, it happens even to the best presenters!

9. Smile!

When you smile, you appear warm and inviting as a speaker. You will also relax yourself with your own smile.

STRUCTURAL PARTS OF ORAL PRESENTATION / PUBLIC SPEAKING

INFORMATION BRIEFING OR PUBLIC SPEAKING, PRESENTATION

The purpose of the information briefing is to inform the listener. This briefing deals primarily with facts, not conclusions or recommendations. Use it to present high priority information requiring immediate attention; complex information involving complicated plans, systems, statistics, or charts; and controversial information requiring elaboration and explanation. Situation briefings that cover the tactical situation over a period of time usually fall into this category. The following format works well for an information briefing, Public Speaking or topic presentation.

1. INTRODUCTION
1. Greeting. Use military courtesy, address the person(s) receiving the briefing, and identify yourself.
2. Purpose. Explain the purpose and scope.
3. Procedure. Indicate procedure if briefing involves demonstration, display, or tour.
2. BODY
1. Arrange main ideas in logical sequence.
2. Use visual aids correctly.
3. Plan effective transitions.
4. Prepare to answer questions at any time.
3. CLOSE
1. Ask for questions.
2. Give closing statement & summarize the topic presented.
3. Announce the next briefer, if applicable.