Guides and resources
Pay attention in class
Time with a public speaking instructor is valuable. They are teaching for a reason! Ask questions, get clarification, stay after class to speak privately.
Learn what works for you
You may feel overwhelmed by all the information. Test out tips and tricks during practice to find what works with you and your needs and stick to them. Focus on what works.
Practice
Whether you are a virtual or classic classroom student, video taping yourself practicing your speech can be an effective way to pick up on and eliminate distracting nonverbals and filler words.
Drop the mic
Confidence is key. Don't be afraid to fake it til you make it. A strong opening and closing statement and your favorite outfit help boost the feeling of "I got this!"
An informative speech aims to inform the audience about a specific topic. A persuasive speech aims to persuade the audience to perform a certain action or convince the audience to adopt the belief or opinion of the speaker.
Use the C.R.A.P. method to help determine if a source should be included in your speech or presentation. Can your source pass the test?
Credibility
- How relevant is the information? An article 50 years old may not have currency.
- Can you locate a date?
Reliability
- If it is a scientific article, is it peer reviewed?
- Does the information check out with other sources?
- Has it been verified?
Authorship
- Can you determine who the author/creator is?
- What are the author鈥檚 credentials?
- Is there a way to contact them?
- If there is a publisher/sponsor for the site, is it reputable?
Purpose
- Is the content fact or opinion? Fact-based articles are better.
- Is it biased?
- What is the author鈥檚 purpose? To inform or to sway you?
Making eye contact with individuals gives them a sense of involvement in your presentation and helps to convey your objectives on a personal level.
Rate is how fast or slow a person speaks. Along with volume and expressiveness, rate is incredibly important for giving an easy to follow speech.
Emotion
Rate can convey emotion. For example, speaking very quickly can convey joy or surprise, while speaking very slowly may convey boredom or uncertainty.
Variation
It is important to vary the rate at which you speak. If one part of your topic is particularly complex, you may want to slow down while explaining it.
Setting
Consider the setting of your speech. If you are speaking at a sports event, you may want to speak more quickly than if you are presenting your speech at a more solemn occasion.
Practice
Record yourself while practicing and listen back to your speech. Note the number of words you are speaking per minute. Adjust it according to the knowledge you have gained regarding rate in this section.