Public Speaking and Speech Writing

What is the occasion? 

I can feel the dry mouth, the fast-beating heart and the sweaty palms already…don’t worry, if you are well-prepared the whole event will run much more smoothly and the nerves will be overcome.   And therein lies the key – preparation.  

What is the occasion? Are you speaking at someone’s wedding or are you delivering a paper on a specific subject?  If it’s the wedding speech you can inject lots of humour (but remember grannies and aunties will be there, so exercise some restraint, if you get my drift) and if it’s a paper, then you may be a delegate at a conference.

You already know the next vital piece of information – your audience.  You will need to tailor the speech to reach as many as possible in order to entertain and/or inform.  Consider joining a community organisation such as Toastmasters; they provide you with the opportunity to gain confidence in a supportive atmosphere.

The Three Ps.  No, not in this case position, position, position, but practice x 3! 

• The speech will need an introduction, a middle and a conclusion. 
• Ask someone to be your ‘audience’ for you a trial run or three, or speak to yourself in a mirror.  You will pick up personal traits you see very quickly and can address them if you don't like them. One of the most common is that we speak too fast in our anxiety to get it over with.
• Will you use palm cards, or will you be presenting a visual presentation?  If the latter, ensure that the audience leaves remembering you and not the slides – i.e. make the words the important part. 
• Do you have a lengthy document to present?  If so, avoid the temptation of reading it out to the audience, (that’s where your hours of practicing come in again). 
• Do you need to take any of your own equipment – laptop, microphone etc? 
• What will you wear? 
• How long will the journey to the venue take?

When it’s D Day remember that you will need to make sure you don’t speak too quickly.  (See above re practising – yep, again!)  Speak clearly and with good diction; your tone and pitch should be lively and the content interesting.   Look up and out to engage your audience. 

Have a drink of water handy.  If you need to take a sip, do so.  Keep alcohol and caffeine to a minimum prior to the speech.  Take deep breaths if you find that you are uncomfortable, and remember to s-l-o-w down, it will all be over before long and you will receive a wonderful, resounding ovation! 

GOOD LUCK!