Public Speaking Tips

Writing Elements & Speaking Elements In a Written Piece

How is necessary information given in a written article?

• Title of book or article, author's name and (sometimes) author's position and background:
• Table of contents:
• Charts, tables:
• Underlined words, words in boldface, exclamation points!
• Photographs:
• Paragraphs:
• List of items in alphabetical, numerical, or bulleted order:
• Chapter headings:
• Quotation marks
• Footnotes:
• Page numbers:
• Names, or other identification (reader can't turn back a page to check):
• Ending may be titled "Conclusions." Final sentence is a strong, summary, or even visionary statement:

In a Speech

How do you give the same information when you're speaking out loud?

• Someone introduces the speaker, gives information about the speaker that is relevant to the occasion, plus the title or subject matter of the speech, etc.
• Speaker tells the audience what s/he's going to talk about.
• Overheads, slides, the blackboard, a live demonstration, miming (describing something with gestures), etc.
• Speaker writes word on blackboard, lingers on the word and/or repeats it; speaker uses appropriate hand gestures for emphasis.
• Speaker tells anecdotes or stories which illuminate important points.
• Speaker pauses for a few seconds between separate sections or ideas.
• Speaker counts off items in numerical order ("one... two..," etc.) to help audience keep track.
• Speaker says s/he is now going to talk about the following...
• Speaker says "as X once said..." or uses the words "quote" and "unquote," (but does not make quote signs in the air with his/her fingers).
• Speaker takes a brief moment to explain words, references, etc. which may not be understandable to everyone. This is equivalent to making a parenthetical remark.
• Speaker lets the audience know where s/he is in the speech. For example: "First I'll describe X, and then I'll tell you about Y..."
• Speaker calls people, places and things by the same name each time so that it is clear to what or whom s/he is referring. Speaker refers back: "X works in the same way as Y which I told you about earlier..."
• Speaker indicates by summarizing (saying "in conclusion..."), and by tone of voice that the speech is ending. Final sentence is a strong summary, or even visionary statement.

The Audience and You

1. Who Are They?

(A) What is the background (knowledge base) of the people you are going to be talking to? Adjust the level of your talk accordingly. Try to reach everyone.

(B) What mood are they likely to be in? What did they do before your talk? What are they going to be doing after? Is the atmosphere or setting formal or informal?

(C) Who are they? Both sexes, more than likely, probably religiously and ethnically diverse, etc. Therefore:

• Don't exclude part of your audience by (for example) referring solely to "men" and telling stories using only the pronoun "he." On the other hand, don't pander to your audience by overdoing in the opposite direction.
• Making a show of your thoughtfulness by switching genders in every remark you make can be annoying.
• Don't assume your audience is tuned into or sympathetic with group "in-jokes."

(D) Be prepared to update your talk on the spot as the result of pre-speech encounters with members of the audience. Value these encounters and mingle, if you can, before you talk. You will have an opportunity to find out who they are, what they are interested in, and what they are hoping to hear or not hear. You may be able to add a comment like, "Someone told me this evening that..." to your talk.

(E) Questions: If you have the slightest hint that not everyone has heard the question being asked, repeat it before you proceed to answer it. It is frustrating to hear only answers.

(F) Handling disruption: It's probably best to acknowledge a disruption. But if you do, you will draw attention to it. So, if it's a minor disruption, it may be wiser to ignore it. Remember, at the podium, you are in charge, and your attitude will to a large extent determine the attitude of the audience.

2. Who Are You , Anyway?

(A) Why are you the one speaking on this subject? The person who introduced you may not have told this to the audience or covered all the right points. Fill them in. Make corrections.

(B) Be honest! Tell the audience how you feel. Make sure feelings and attitudes you discuss are ascribed to the right person or group. Remember the difference between "I believe" and "they believe."

If you don't know the answer to a question from the audience, admit it. Defer to an expert. Offer to look it up. If it involves a long (and possibly boring) answer, suggest the person talk with you afterwards.

(C) Make eye contact. but don't link eyes with one person. You will make him/her feel uncomfortable. See everyone; back, front, sides.

(D) If you make an error, ignore it and seamlessly move on. Or, acknowledge it briefly and then move on. Or, engage the sympathy of the audience by either confessing the error or making a small joke about it. (Warning: Jokes are high risk. What if no one laughs?)

(E) Look friendly. An audience is unlikely to warm to a speaker who seems unhappy at the prospect of talking to them. Match your demeanor to your topic, not to your anxieties.