Public Speaking as an Effective Skill Essay

Public speaking is a highly important and useful skill that carries multiple advantages for personal life and professional career. Public speaking skills are required for specialists of various kinds. In this regard, mastering public speaking is going to serve as great enforcement for anyone. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate different situations where public speaking skills play an important role to show the reasons why public speaking is considered an effective skill.

First of all, the knowledge of theoretical and practical sides of public speaking provides one with multiple benefits such as understanding the ways people think and process the information, communicating thoughtfully and with higher efficiency, using the critical thinking, knowing how to organise and prepare presentations, researching the unfamiliar audiences and using appropriate communication strategies (Coopman, Lull 2014, p. 12). It is a well-known fact that most people experience certain difficulties in adjusting to a new society. For example, in a situation when a person starts working at a new place, they would feel the need to fit into the group of new co-workers, find a common language and establish friendly atmosphere at the workplace.

Public speaking skills provide a person with an ability to evaluate the audience, analyse their needs, learn their potentials, and successfully build contact with them. Proper application of public speaking knowledge will allow the new member of a group to move through the stage of getting to know the colleagues and feel comfortable talking with new people in unfamiliar situations (Coopman & Lull 2014, p. 12). In this case, public speaking skills will allow avoiding the discomfort at the workplace, which may lead to disruption of the work process and create problems for the whole company.

The most obvious situation where public speaking skills are always very useful is an actual performance in front of a group of people such as a public address, presentation of a new project at work, or a motivational speech. In such situations, the speaker can represent a group of fellows or the ideas important for many people. Due to this, a successful performance and efficient delivery of information are highly valuable and important (Keith & Lundberg 2013, p. 4). When one person is chosen to speak on behalf of many, it creates a certain pressure and responsibility for the speaker. In the case of the successful performance of one, the whole group will benefit. The good public speaker has to be able to present the information, keep the audience interested in the delivered ideas, and defend the point of view in case of criticism or counter argumentation.

The skills of public speaking provide one with courage, confidence, and the ability to fluently express themselves. One more situation that demonstrates the importance of public speaking skills is a casual conversation with a stranger. People are social creatures, interpersonal relationships of different kinds are highly important for us. Starting and maintaining friendships, being close to family members, having romantic relationships makes our lives easier and fuller. A skillful speaker will be able to represent themselves in the best and most appropriate way. This can be quite a challenging occupation. Performing in front of just one person is another variation of public speaking (Goldwasser 2006, p. 42). Successful personal representation in any situation, will it be a first date or a job interview, is extremely meaningful for anyone. This is why the development of public speaking skills is considered highly beneficial.

To conclude, almost every day, people face situations where speaking in front of an audience is required. The size of the audience may vary from one to hundreds or thousands of people, but the importance of professional and efficient delivery of information is always high. Knowledge of theoretical and practical sides of public speaking will enable the speaker to feel confident and comfortable and to present themselves and the necessary information in the best ways.

Coopman, S. & Lull, J. 2014, Public Speaking: The Evolving Art. Cengage Learning United States, Boston.

Goldwasser, I. 2006, Interactive Communication: A Guide to Effective Communication. Pearson Education Australia, Sydney.

Keith, W. & Lundberg, C. 2013, Public Speaking: Choice and Responsibility. Cengage Learning United States, Boston.

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Bibliography

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Public Speaking and Presentations: Tips for Success

This resource includes tips and suggestions for improving your public speaking skills.

Even if you’ve never spoken in front of a large group before, chances are you will encounter public speaking sometime during your life. Whether you’re giving a presentation for your classmates or addressing local politicians at a city council meeting, public speaking allows you to convey your thoughts and feelings in clear ways. Having the right tools can prepare you for successful public speaking and equip you with high-quality communication skills.

Know Your Audience

Different audiences require different modes of public speaking. How you address a room full of preschoolers will vary from how you address a group of professors at an academic conference. Not only will your vocabulary change, but you might alter your pacing and tone as well.

Knowing your audience also helps you decide the content of your speech. For example, if you’re presenting research to a group of scientists, you might not need to define all your scientific language. However, if you present that same research to a group of individuals who are unfamiliar with your scientific field, you may need to define your terms or use simpler language.

Recognizing the extent to which your audience is familiar with your topic helps you center your presentation around the most important elements and avoid wasting time on information your audience either 1) already knows or 2) does not need to know for the purpose of your speech.

Knowing your audience also means tailoring your information to them. Try to keep things straight and to the point; leave out extraneous anecdotes and irrelevant statistics.

Establish Your Ethos and Feel Confident in Your Subject

It’s important to let your audience know what authority you have over your subject matter. If it’s clear you are familiar with your subject and have expertise, your audience is more likely to trust what you say.

Feeling confident in your subject matter will help establish your ethos. Rather than simply memorizing the content on your PowerPoint slides or your note cards, consider yourself a “mini expert” on your topic. Read up on information related to your topic and anticipate questions from the audience. You might want to prepare a few additional examples to use if people ask follow-up questions. Being able to elaborate on your talking points will help you stay calm during a Q & A section of your presentation.

Stick to a Few Main Points

Organizing your information in a logical way not only helps you keep track of what you’re saying, but it helps your audience follow along as well. Try to emphasize a few main points in your presentation and return to them before you conclude. Summarizing your information at the end of your presentation allows your audience to walk away with a clear sense of the most important facts.

For example, if you gave a presentation on the pros and cons of wind energy in Indiana, you would first want to define wind energy to make sure you and your audience are on the same page. You might also want to give a brief history of wind energy to give context before you go into the pros and cons. From there, you could list a few pros and a few cons. Finally, you could speculate on the future of wind energy and whether Indiana could provide adequate land and infrastructure to sustain wind turbines. To conclude, restate a few of the main points (most likely the pros and cons) and end with the most important takeaway you want the audience to remember about wind energy in Indiana.

Don't be Afraid to Show Your Personality

Delivering information without any sort of flourish or style can be boring. Allowing your personality to show through your speaking keeps you feeling relaxed and natural. Even if you’re speaking about something very scientific or serious, look for ways to let your personality come through your speech.

For example, when Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek announced in March of 2019 that he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he still let his trademark dignity and professionalism set the tone for his address. He began his announcement by saying “it’s in keeping with my long-time policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base.” Later, he joked that he would need to overcome his illness in order to fulfill his contract, whose terms required him to host the show for three more years. Though the nature of Trebek's announcement could easily have justified a grim, serious tone, the host instead opted to display the charm that has made him a household name for almost thirty-five years. In doing so, he reminded his audience precisely why he is so well-loved.

Use Humor (When Appropriate)

Using humor at appropriate moments can keep your audience engaged and entertained. While not all occasions are appropriate for humor, look for moments where you can lighten the mood and add some humor.

For example, just two months after the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, Reagan was in the middle of giving a speech when a balloon loudly popped while he was speaking. Reagan paused his speech to say “missed me,” then immediately continued speaking. This off-the-cuff humor worked because it was appropriate, spontaneous, and did not really distract from his message.

Similarly, at the end of his final White House Correspondents Dinner, Barack Obama concluded his speech by saying “Obama out” and dropping the mic. Once again, the humor did not distract from his message, but it did provide a light-hearted shift in his tone.  

Don't Let Visual Aids Distract From Your Presentation

Visual aids, such as PowerPoints or handouts, often go alongside presentations. When designing visual aids, be sure they do not distract from the content of your speech. Having too many pictures or animations can cause audience members to pay more attention to the visuals rather than what you’re saying.

However, if you present research that relies on tables or figures, having many images may help your audience better visualize the research you discuss. Be aware of the ways different types of presentations demand different types of visual aids.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

When it comes to giving a presentation, nonverbal communication is equally as important as what you’re saying. Having the appropriate posture, gestures, and movement complement the spoken element of your presentation. Below are a few simple strategies to make you appear more confident and professional.

Having confident posture can make or break a presentation. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your arms at your sides. Slouching or crossing your arms over your chest makes you appear smaller and more insecure. However, be sure you’re not too rigid. Just because you’re standing up tall does not mean you cannot move around.

Eye contact

Making eye contact with your audience not only makes them feel connected to you but it also lets you gauge their response to you. Try to look around the room and connect with different audience members so you’re not staring at the same people the whole time. If you notice your audience starting to nod off, it might be a good time to change your tone or up your energy. 

Avoid distracting or compulsive gestures

While hand gestures can help point out information in a slide or on a poster, large or quick gestures can be distracting. When using gestures, try to make them feel like a normal part of your presentation.

It’s also easy to slip into nervous gestures while presenting. Things like twirling your hair or wringing your hands can be distracting to your audience. If you know you do something like this, try to think hard about not doing it while you’re presenting.

Travel (if possible)

If you are presenting on a stage, walking back and forth can help you stay relaxed and look natural. However, be sure you’re walking slowly and confidently and you’re using an appropriate posture (described above). Try to avoid pacing, which can make you appear nervous or compulsive.

Rehearse (if Possible)

The difference between knowing your subject and rehearsing comes down to how you ultimately present your information. The more you rehearse, the more likely you are to eliminate filler words such as like and um . If possible, try practicing with a friend and have them use count the filler words you use. You can also record yourself and play back the video. The more you rehearse, the more confident you will feel when it comes time to actually speak in front of an audience.

Finally, Relax!

Although public speaking takes time and preparation, perhaps one of the most important points is to relax while you’re speaking. Delivering your information in a stiff way prevents you from appearing natural and letting your personality come through. The more relaxed you feel, the more confident your information will come across.

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1.1 Why Is Public Speaking Important?

Learning objectives.

  • Explore three types of public speaking in everyday life: informative, persuasive, and entertaining.
  • Understand the benefits of taking a course in public speaking.
  • Explain the benefits people get from engaging in public speaking.

A man speaking to a group of women

Christian Pierret – Leader – CC BY 2.0.

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with messages both good and bad. No matter where you live, where you work or go to school, or what kinds of media you use, you are probably exposed to hundreds. if not thousands, of advertising messages every day. Researcher Norman W. Edmund estimates that by 2020 the amount of knowledge in the world will double every seventy-three days (Edmund, 2005). Because we live in a world where we are overwhelmed with content, communicating information in a way that is accessible to others is more important today than ever before. To help us further understand why public speaking is important, we will first examine public speaking in everyday life. We will then discuss how public speaking can benefit you personally.

Everyday Public Speaking

Every single day people across the United States and around the world stand up in front of some kind of audience and speak. In fact, there’s even a monthly publication that reproduces some of the top speeches from around the United States called Vital Speeches of the Day ( http://www.vsotd.com ). Although public speeches are of various types, they can generally be grouped into three categories based on their intended purpose: informative, persuasive, and entertaining.

Informative Speaking

One of the most common types of public speaking is informative speaking . The primary purpose of informative presentations is to share one’s knowledge of a subject with an audience. Reasons for making an informative speech vary widely. For example, you might be asked to instruct a group of coworkers on how to use new computer software or to report to a group of managers how your latest project is coming along. A local community group might wish to hear about your volunteer activities in New Orleans during spring break, or your classmates may want you to share your expertise on Mediterranean cooking. What all these examples have in common is the goal of imparting information to an audience.

Informative speaking is integrated into many different occupations. Physicians often lecture about their areas of expertise to medical students, other physicians, and patients. Teachers find themselves presenting to parents as well as to their students. Firefighters give demonstrations about how to effectively control a fire in the house. Informative speaking is a common part of numerous jobs and other everyday activities. As a result, learning how to speak effectively has become an essential skill in today’s world.

Persuasive Speaking

A second common reason for speaking to an audience is to persuade others. In our everyday lives, we are often called on to convince, motivate, or otherwise persuade others to change their beliefs, take an action, or reconsider a decision. Advocating for music education in your local school district, convincing clients to purchase your company’s products, or inspiring high school students to attend college all involve influencing other people through public speaking.

For some people, such as elected officials, giving persuasive speeches is a crucial part of attaining and continuing career success. Other people make careers out of speaking to groups of people who pay to listen to them. Motivational authors and speakers, such as Les Brown ( http://www.lesbrown.com ), make millions of dollars each year from people who want to be motivated to do better in their lives. Brian Tracy, another professional speaker and author, specializes in helping business leaders become more productive and effective in the workplace ( http://www.briantracy.com ).

Whether public speaking is something you do every day or just a few times a year, persuading others is a challenging task. If you develop the skill to persuade effectively, it can be personally and professionally rewarding.

Entertaining Speaking

Entertaining speaking involves an array of speaking occasions ranging from introductions to wedding toasts, to presenting and accepting awards, to delivering eulogies at funerals and memorial services in addition to after-dinner speeches and motivational speeches. Entertaining speaking has been important since the time of the ancient Greeks, when Aristotle identified epideictic speaking (speaking in a ceremonial context) as an important type of address. As with persuasive and informative speaking, there are professionals, from religious leaders to comedians, who make a living simply from delivering entertaining speeches. As anyone who has watched an awards show on television or has seen an incoherent best man deliver a wedding toast can attest, speaking to entertain is a task that requires preparation and practice to be effective.

Personal Benefits of Public Speaking

Oral communication skills were the number one skill that college graduates found useful in the business world, according to a study by sociologist Andrew Zekeri (Zekeri, 2004). That fact alone makes learning about public speaking worthwhile. However, there are many other benefits of communicating effectively for the hundreds of thousands of college students every year who take public speaking courses. Let’s take a look at some of the personal benefits you’ll get both from a course in public speaking and from giving public speeches.

Benefits of Public Speaking Courses

In addition to learning the process of creating and delivering an effective speech, students of public speaking leave the class with a number of other benefits as well. Some of these benefits include

  • developing critical thinking skills,
  • fine-tuning verbal and nonverbal skills,
  • overcoming fear of public speaking.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

One of the very first benefits you will gain from your public speaking course is an increased ability to think critically. Problem solving is one of many critical thinking skills you will engage in during this course. For example, when preparing a persuasive speech, you’ll have to think through real problems affecting your campus, community, or the world and provide possible solutions to those problems. You’ll also have to think about the positive and negative consequences of your solutions and then communicate your ideas to others. At first, it may seem easy to come up with solutions for a campus problem such as a shortage of parking spaces: just build more spaces. But after thinking and researching further you may find out that building costs, environmental impact from loss of green space, maintenance needs, or limited locations for additional spaces make this solution impractical. Being able to think through problems and analyze the potential costs and benefits of solutions is an essential part of critical thinking and of public speaking aimed at persuading others. These skills will help you not only in public speaking contexts but throughout your life as well. As we stated earlier, college graduates in Zekeri’s study rated oral communication skills as the most useful for success in the business world. The second most valuable skill they reported was problem-solving ability, so your public speaking course is doubly valuable!

Another benefit to public speaking is that it will enhance your ability to conduct and analyze research. Public speakers must provide credible evidence within their speeches if they are going to persuade various audiences. So your public speaking course will further refine your ability to find and utilize a range of sources.

Fine-Tuning Verbal and Nonverbal Skills

A second benefit of taking a public speaking course is that it will help you fine-tune your verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Whether you competed in public speaking in high school or this is your first time speaking in front of an audience, having the opportunity to actively practice communication skills and receive professional feedback will help you become a better overall communicator. Often, people don’t even realize that they twirl their hair or repeatedly mispronounce words while speaking in public settings until they receive feedback from a teacher during a public speaking course. People around the United States will often pay speech coaches over one hundred dollars per hour to help them enhance their speaking skills. You have a built-in speech coach right in your classroom, so it is to your advantage to use the opportunity to improve your verbal and nonverbal communication skills.

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking

An additional benefit of taking a public speaking class is that it will help reduce your fear of public speaking. Whether they’ve spoken in public a lot or are just getting started, most people experience some anxiety when engaging in public speaking. Heidi Rose and Andrew Rancer evaluated students’ levels of public speaking anxiety during both the first and last weeks of their public speaking class and found that those levels decreased over the course of the semester (Rose & Rancer, 1993). One explanation is that people often have little exposure to public speaking. By taking a course in public speaking, students become better acquainted with the public speaking process, making them more confident and less apprehensive. In addition, you will learn specific strategies for overcoming the challenges of speech anxiety. We will discuss this topic in greater detail in Chapter 3 “Speaking Confidently” .

Benefits of Engaging in Public Speaking

Once you’ve learned the basic skills associated with public speaking, you’ll find that being able to effectively speak in public has profound benefits, including

  • influencing the world around you,
  • developing leadership skills,
  • becoming a thought leader.

Influencing the World around You

If you don’t like something about your local government, then speak out about your issue! One of the best ways to get our society to change is through the power of speech. Common citizens in the United States and around the world, like you, are influencing the world in real ways through the power of speech. Just type the words “citizens speak out” in a search engine and you’ll find numerous examples of how common citizens use the power of speech to make real changes in the world—for example, by speaking out against “fracking” for natural gas (a process in which chemicals are injected into rocks in an attempt to open them up for fast flow of natural gas or oil) or in favor of retaining a popular local sheriff. One of the amazing parts of being a citizen in a democracy is the right to stand up and speak out, which is a luxury many people in the world do not have. So if you don’t like something, be the force of change you’re looking for through the power of speech.

Developing Leadership Skills

Have you ever thought about climbing the corporate ladder and eventually finding yourself in a management or other leadership position? If so, then public speaking skills are very important. Hackman and Johnson assert that effective public speaking skills are a necessity for all leaders (Hackman & Johnson, 2004). If you want people to follow you, you have to communicate effectively and clearly what followers should do. According to Bender, “Powerful leadership comes from knowing what matters to you. Powerful presentations come from expressing this effectively. It’s important to develop both” (Bender, 1998). One of the most important skills for leaders to develop is their public speaking skills, which is why executives spend millions of dollars every year going to public speaking workshops; hiring public speaking coaches; and buying public speaking books, CDs, and DVDs.

Becoming a Thought Leader

Even if you are not in an official leadership position, effective public speaking can help you become a “ thought leader .” Joel Kurtzman, editor of Strategy & Business , coined this term to call attention to individuals who contribute new ideas to the world of business. According to business consultant Ken Lizotte, “when your colleagues, prospects, and customers view you as one very smart guy or gal to know, then you’re a thought leader” (Lizotte, 2008). Typically, thought leaders engage in a range of behaviors, including enacting and conducting research on business practices. To achieve thought leader status, individuals must communicate their ideas to others through both writing and public speaking. Lizotte demonstrates how becoming a thought leader can be personally and financially rewarding at the same time: when others look to you as a thought leader, you will be more desired and make more money as a result. Business gurus often refer to “intellectual capital,” or the combination of your knowledge and ability to communicate that knowledge to others (Lizotte, 2008). Whether standing before a group of executives discussing the next great trend in business or delivering a webinar (a seminar over the web), thought leaders use public speaking every day to create the future that the rest of us live in.

Key Takeaways

  • People have many reasons for engaging in public speaking, but the skills necessary for public speaking are applicable whether someone is speaking for informative, persuasive, or entertainment reasons.
  • Taking a public speaking class will improve your speaking skills, help you be a more critical thinker, fine-tune your verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and help you overcome public speaking anxiety.
  • Effective public speaking skills have many direct benefits for the individual speaker, including influencing the world around you, developing leadership skills, and becoming a go-to person for ideas and solutions.
  • Talk to people who are currently working in the career you hope to pursue. Of the three types of public speaking discussed in the text, which do they use most commonly use in their work?
  • Read one of the free speeches available at http://www.vsotd.com . What do you think the speaker was trying to accomplish? What was her or his reason for speaking?
  • Which personal benefit are you most interested in receiving from a public speaking class? Why?

Bender, P. U. (1998). Stand, deliver and lead. Ivey Business Journal , 62 (3), 46–47.

Edmund, N. W. (2005). End the biggest educational and intellectual blunder in history: A $100,000 challenge to our top educational leaders . Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Scientific Method Publishing Co.

Hackman, M. Z., & Johnson, C. E. (2004). Leadership: A communication perspective (4th ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland.

Lizotte, K. (2008). The expert’s edge: Become the go-to authority people turn to every time [Kindle 2 version]. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from Amazon.com (locations 72–78).

Rose, H. M., & Rancer, A. S. (1993). The impact of basic courses in oral interpretation and public speaking on communication apprehension. Communication Reports , 6 , 54–60.

Zekeri, A. A. (2004). College curriculum competencies and skills former students found essential to their careers. College Student Journal , 38 , 412–422.

Stand up, Speak out Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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  • Career Planning
  • Skills Development

Important Public Speaking Skills for Workplace Success

public speaking skills essay

What Is Public Speaking?

  • Why Employers Value Public Speaking

Top Public Speaking Skills

How to showcase your skills, how to improve your public speaking skills.

Candidates with strong public speaking skills are in demand for the many occupations that require the ability to speak to a group. Dynamic and well-prepared speakers are highly valued by employers, and having this skill set can even help land you leadership positions and important roles. 

Learn more about public speaking, why it's important, and how to improve your public speaking skills.

Public speaking is a  soft skill  that requires excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, and the ability to engage with an audience. Soft skills are interpersonal skills that are less technical and more about how you interact with others.

Public speakers make presentations to a group. Presentations could range from speaking to a small number of employees to presenting to a large audience at a national conference or event. The same skill set and ability to be comfortable speaking in public are required regardless of the size of the group.

Why Employers Value Public Speaking Skills

The art of public speaking comes into play in many places. It's important not only in the delivery of speeches and public talks, but also in professional presentations, training events, and motivational speaking. Consultants, training, managers, clergy, sales representatives, and teachers, for example, all have a reason at times to speak in front of others.

A lackluster speaker can make a solid product or proposal seem less than enticing, while a polished speaker can add allure to an otherwise mediocre proposition. 

Most professional-level roles require some amount of public speaking. It's often necessary to carry out functions like presenting findings, pitching proposals, training staff, and leading meetings.

When you want to highlight your public speaking skills in your cover letter or resume, or during an interview, be sure to go beyond stating that you have "public speaking skills." Go into detail about which aspects of public speaking you are good at, and provide specific examples of your skills and expertise.

Some of the most important skills for successful public speaking include the following.

Clear Articulation

Of course, public speakers must be able to speak well. That includes enunciating, speaking loudly enough, and using proper grammar without a lot of verbal crutches such as "um." It helps to be able to talk well in ordinary conversation, but public speaking is a kind of performance and, as such, requires practice and preparation.

Memorization is not usually necessary, because many people are able to speak in an unscripted way to some degree. However, you must be familiar enough with your material that you don't pause excessively, repeat yourself, or stumble over your words.

You also need to be able to pace yourself so that you finish on time rather than early or late.

Engaging Presentation Style

Presentation style  includes vocal tone, body language, facial expression, and timing. The right style can make a talk that could have been boring become exciting and engaging.

Assessing the Needs of the Audience

Some audiences want a lot of technical detail; others don't. Some will enjoy humor; others won't. There are jokes that work in some crowds but not others. To draft a successful talk and to adopt the appropriate presentation style, you need to be able to assess the needs of your audience.

Before you begin speaking, think about your audience and what they hope to gain from your presentation. That can help you assess their needs, which can help ensure that your presentation is the best possible use of your time and theirs.

PowerPoint Skills

PowerPoint is a popular software used for creating slides. Not all public speakers use them, but slides are so common that doing without them is sometimes called "speaking naked."

It's not only important to understand the technical aspects of using the software, it also helps if you have the artistic ability to create slides that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand—or, you should work with a collaborator who can do so. Either way, you must know how to integrate your slides smoothly into the other aspects of your presentations.

Composition Skills

Whether you prepare your talk ahead of time or just go with the flow, you must be able to construct talks that are rational, coherent, and easy to understand, and that cover all the points you want to hit.

Storytelling and humor help, and you must know how to use them. Public speaking is not only a form of performance art; it also requires writing skills.

Other Public Speaking Skills

The skills mentioned above aren't the only ones that are important to public speaking. The following skills and tips can make you an even more effective public speaker:

  • Controlling performance anxiety
  • Drafting an evaluation form that attendees are likely to complete
  • Grabbing the attention of the audience with a powerful opening
  • Handing out copies of slides in advance to minimize note-taking demands on the audience
  • Maintaining eye contact with the audience and providing an energetic, animated physical presence
  • Memorizing enough content so that the speech does not come off as a reading of notes
  • Modulating vocal tone to emphasize important points and avoid monotonous presentation
  • Organizing a logical flow to a speech
  • Preparing examples that are relevant to the experience of the expected audience
  • Providing compelling evidence to support themes
  • Rehearsing the presentation and revising rough spots
  • Researching information about the latest trends in an industry before presenting at a professional seminar
  • Restating critical points at the end of a speech to cement key concepts
  • Reviewing feedback and modifying the approach for talks in the future
  • Summarizing the topics to be covered at the beginning of a lecture to provide context for attendees

Public speaking is a skill in itself, but it is also a collection of skills. Lists like this can help you name some of these skills so you can identify which jobs require the abilities you have. 

Be sure to read job descriptions carefully. Even very similar positions can have different requirements, depending on what the hiring manager is looking for.

Mention Skills in Your Resume and Cover Letter

When you apply, you can use these skills as keywords on your  resume  or other application materials. Hiring managers sometimes scan through applications looking for these keywords to make an initial cut, so it's important to make it clear from the beginning that you have the sought-after qualifications.

Then, use your  cover letter  to highlight some of your most relevant skills.

Share Your Skills During a Job Interview

Be prepared to give examples of specific times when you embodied these skills, because your interviewer is likely to ask. If you've made public presentations or internal company presentations, share the details with the interviewer.

Whether you feel like a public-speaking expert or you're new to it, there are always ways you can improve. You can brush up on your public speaking skills with these tips:

  • Take a public speaking class or workshop.
  • Practice in front of the mirror.
  • Practice in front of friends, family, or colleagues; then, ask for feedback.
  • Record yourself giving a presentation, watch the video, and take notes.
  • Watch videos of accomplished public speakers you admire.

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Better Public Speaking

Becoming a confident, compelling speaker.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Whether we're talking in a team meeting or presenting in front of an audience, we all have to speak in public from time to time.

We can do this well or we can do this badly, and the outcome strongly affects the way that people think about us. This is why public speaking causes so much anxiety and concern.

The good news is that, with thorough preparation and practice, you can overcome your nervousness and perform exceptionally well. This article and video explain how.

Click here to view a transcript of this video.

The Importance of Public Speaking

Even if you don't need to make regular presentations in front of a group, there are plenty of situations where good public speaking skills can help you advance your career and create opportunities.

For example, you might have to talk about your organization at a conference, make a speech after accepting an award, or teach a class to new recruits. Speaking to an audience also includes online presentations or talks; for instance, when training a virtual team, or when speaking to a group of customers in an online meeting.

Good public speaking skills are important in other areas of your life, as well. You might be asked to make a speech at a friend's wedding, give a eulogy for a loved one, or inspire a group of volunteers at a charity event.

In short, being a good public speaker can enhance your reputation, boost your self-confidence , and open up countless opportunities.

However, while good skills can open doors, poor ones can close them. For example, your boss might decide against promoting you after sitting through a badly-delivered presentation. You might lose a valuable new contract by failing to connect with a prospect during a sales pitch. Or you could make a poor impression with your new team, because you trip over your words and don't look people in the eye.

Make sure that you learn how to speak well!

Strategies for Becoming a Better Speaker

The good news is that speaking in public is a learnable skill. As such, you can use the following strategies to become a better speaker and presenter.

Plan Appropriately

First, make sure that you plan your communication appropriately. Use tools like the Rhetorical Triangle , Monroe's Motivated Sequence , and the 7Cs of Communication to think about how you'll structure what you're going to say.

When you do this, think about how important a book's first paragraph is; if it doesn't grab you, you're likely going to put it down. The same principle goes for your speech: from the beginning, you need to intrigue your audience.

For example, you could start with an interesting statistic, headline, or fact that pertains to what you're talking about and resonates with your audience. You can also use story telling as a powerful opener; our Expert Interviews with Annette Simmons and Paul Smith offer some useful tips on doing this.

Planning also helps you to think on your feet . This is especially important for unpredictable question and answer sessions or last-minute communications.

Remember that not all occasions when you need to speak in public will be scheduled. You can make good impromptu speeches by having ideas and mini-speeches pre-prepared. It also helps to have a good, thorough understanding of what's going on in your organization and industry.

There's a good reason that we say, "Practice makes perfect!" You simply cannot be a confident, compelling speaker without practice.

To get practice, seek opportunities to speak in front of others. For example, Toastmasters is a club geared specifically towards aspiring speakers, and you can get plenty of practice at Toastmasters sessions. You could also put yourself in situations that require public speaking, such as by cross-training a group from another department, or by volunteering to speak at team meetings.

If you're going to be delivering a presentation or prepared speech, create it as early as possible. The earlier you put it together, the more time you'll have to practice.

Practice it plenty of times alone, using the resources you'll rely on at the event, and, as you practice, tweak your words until they flow smoothly and easily.

Then, if appropriate, do a dummy run in front of a small audience: this will help you calm your jitters and make you feel more comfortable with the material. Your audience can also give you useful feedback , both on your material and on your performance.

Engage With Your Audience

When you speak, try to engage your audience. This makes you feel less isolated as a speaker and keeps everyone involved with your message. If appropriate, ask leading questions targeted to individuals or groups, and encourage people to participate and ask questions.

Keep in mind that some words reduce your power as a speaker. For instance, think about how these sentences sound: "I just want to add that I think we can meet these goals" or "I just think this plan is a good one." The words "just" and "I think" limit your authority and conviction. Don't use them.

A similar word is "actually," as in, "Actually, I'd like to add that we were under budget last quarter." When you use "actually," it conveys a sense of submissiveness or even surprise. Instead, say what things are. "We were under budget last quarter" is clear and direct.

Also, pay attention to how you're speaking. If you're nervous, you might talk quickly. This increases the chances that you'll trip over your words, or say something you don't mean. Force yourself to slow down by breathing deeply. Don't be afraid to gather your thoughts; pauses are an important part of conversation, and they make you sound confident, natural, and authentic.

Finally, avoid reading word-for-word from your notes. Instead, make a list of important points on cue cards, or, as you get better at public speaking, try to memorize what you're going to say – you can still refer back to your cue cards when you need them.

Pay Attention to Body Language

If you're unaware of it, your body language will give your audience constant, subtle clues about your inner state. If you're nervous, or if you don't believe in what you're saying, the audience can soon know.

Pay attention to your body language: stand up straight, take deep breaths, look people in the eye, and smile. Don't lean on one leg or use gestures that feel unnatural.

Many people prefer to speak behind a podium when giving presentations. While podiums can be useful for holding notes, they put a barrier between you and the audience. They can also become a "crutch," giving you a hiding place from the dozens or hundreds of eyes that are on you.

Instead of standing behind a podium, walk around and use gestures to engage the audience. This movement and energy will also come through in your voice, making it more active and passionate.

Think Positively

Positive thinking can make a huge difference to the success of your communication, because it helps you feel more confident.

Fear makes it all too easy to slip into a cycle of negative self-talk, especially right before you speak, while self-sabotaging thoughts such as "I'll never be good at this!" or "I'm going to fall flat on my face!" lower your confidence and increase the chances that you won't achieve what you're truly capable of.

Use affirmations and visualization to raise your confidence. This is especially important right before your speech or presentation. Visualize giving a successful presentation, and imagine how you'll feel once it's over and when you've made a positive difference for others. Use positive affirmations such as "I'm grateful I have the opportunity to help my audience" or "I'm going to do well!"

Cope With Nerves

How often have you listened to or watched a speaker who really messed up? Chances are, the answer is "not very often."

When we have to speak in front of others, we can envision terrible things happening. We imagine forgetting every point we want to make, passing out from our nervousness, or doing so horribly that we'll lose our job. But those things almost never come to pass! We build them up in our minds and end up more nervous than we need to be.

Many people cite speaking to an audience as their biggest fear, and a fear of failure is often at the root of this. Public speaking can lead your "fight or flight" response to kick in: adrenaline courses through your bloodstream, your heart rate increases, you sweat, and your breath becomes fast and shallow.

Although these symptoms can be annoying or even debilitating, the Inverted-U Model shows that a certain amount of pressure enhances performance. By changing your mindset, you can use nervous energy to your advantage.

First, make an effort to stop thinking about yourself, your nervousness, and your fear. Instead, focus on your audience: what you're saying is "about them." Remember that you're trying to help or educate them in some way, and your message is more important than your fear. Concentrate on the audience's wants and needs, instead of your own.

If time allows, use deep breathing exercises to slow your heart rate and give your body the oxygen it needs to perform. This is especially important right before you speak. Take deep breaths from your belly, hold each one for several seconds, and let it out slowly.

Crowds are more intimidating than individuals, so think of your speech as a conversation that you're having with one person. Although your audience may be 100 people, focus on one friendly face at a time, and talk to that person as if he or she is the only one in the room.

Watch Recordings of Your Speeches

Whenever possible, record your presentations and speeches. You can improve your speaking skills dramatically by watching yourself later, and then working on improving in areas that didn't go well.

As you watch, notice any verbal stalls, such as "um" or "like." Look at your body language: are you swaying, leaning on the podium, or leaning heavily on one leg? Are you looking at the audience? Did you smile? Did you speak clearly at all times?

Pay attention to your gestures. Do they appear natural or forced? Make sure that people can see them, especially if you're standing behind a podium.

Last, look at how you handled interruptions, such as a sneeze or a question that you weren't prepared for. Does your face show surprise, hesitation, or annoyance? If so, practice managing interruptions like these smoothly, so that you're even better next time.

Chances are that you'll sometimes have to speak in public as part of your role. While this can seem intimidating, the benefits of being able to speak well outweigh any perceived fears. To become a better speaker, use the following strategies:

  • Plan appropriately.
  • Engage with your audience.
  • Pay attention to body language.
  • Think positively.
  • Cope with your nerves.
  • Watch recordings of your speeches.

If you speak well in public, it can help you get a job or promotion, raise awareness for your team or organization, and educate others. The more you push yourself to speak in front of others, the better you'll become, and the more confidence you'll have.

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Originally published on Nov. 1, 2018

How to Speak in Public

By Adam Bryant

Illustrations by Timo Kuilder

Public speaking can tap into a viper’s nest of dread with seemingly infinite possibilities for messing up and creating scar-tissue embarrassment in front of a crowd. If you do a Google search with these four words — “public speaking scarier death” — you’ll get more than 50 million results, many of them about surveys noting that people list speaking in public as their No. 1 fear, with death coming in second. If you find yourself agreeing with those surveys, even reading these words may be causing your pulse to quicken or your palms to sweat (apologies for that). But here’s the good news: You can do this. We’ve broken down the art of public speaking to make it less overwhelming and potentially even rewarding. (Seriously.)

Before you can get onstage, you need to think about your presentation.

An illustration of a man standing at a podium looking at a crowd. He has a microphone, water bottle and a long piece of paper overflowing from the podium.

Preparation will ensure that you can effectively deliver a speech that relays the message you want to deliver.

One of the best insights I’ve ever heard about speaking to large audiences came from Marcus Ryu, the C.E.O. of Guidewire Software. In my Corner Office interview with him, he explained what I’ve come to refer to as the “Einstein Theory of Communication.”

“I’ve come to realize that no matter how smart the people are you’re communicating to, the more of them there are, the dumber the collective gets,” Ryu told me. “And so you could have a room full of Einsteins, but if there are 200 or 300 of them, then you still have to talk to them like they’re just average people. As the audience gets bigger and bigger, your message has to get simpler and simpler, and the bullet-point list has to be shorter and shorter.”

This isn’t to say that simple is easy or means simplistic. It means that you should really home in on the core insight of your talk and call that out in clear language at the beginning and at the end.

Ask yourself: What is the central question you are asking and answering? If you’re creating a presentation you’re going to use many times, aim for 30 to 35 minutes to make sure you have something substantial, and then be prepared to do a shorter version if need be.

Then, use bullet points to crystallize your subthemes. Make sure that nobody can miss the point of your talk.

You may feel like you’re “dumbing down” your talk to make it so clear, but that’s not the point. Ryu’s insight will help you resolve competing impulses — yes, you know your audience is smart, but you have to keep it really simple.

Get an editor. Everybody needs an editor and speeches are no different; find somebody whose judgment you trust and pressure-test your talk with them. Is it clear? Does the arc make sense? What is the key insight? Are the takeaways clear?

The theory of “keep it simple” applies to more than just what you say; it also applies to how to present it. Many speakers still subscribe to the “more is more” philosophy of packing as much as they can into their slides — dense text, long lists and hard-to-read charts, with small fonts that require squinting to read from the back of the room.

There are lots of books and websites that will explain best practices about design, but all you really need to do is follow these basic rules for slides:

No more than a dozen words per slide.

Make sure the font size is big enough for easy reading from the back of the room. Because you might not know how large the screen is that you’ll be using, better to err on the side of larger rather than smaller. (I’ve never heard anybody complain about big fonts.)

Use only two different fonts , and use a consistent framework for why you use one or the other (headlines vs short blocks of text, for example). Some pairs of fonts work particularly well together, and a Google search will turn up some good suggestions.

Use photographs, not clip art, that capture the spirit of the point you’re making in a clear but clever way. There are plenty of websites, including Unsplash and Pixabay , that have good search tools. And if you’re going to use a photo that doesn’t take up the full slide, put a thin border around it. These small design touches will add crispness to your slides.

Don’t be too clever with the formatting of your slides. Design should be in the service of the point you’re making, not a distraction from it. There are many programs and software features that do nifty transitions between slides and make images do pirouettes. But again, less is more. Making your presentation clear and memorable is your goal. The same goes for video clips and other multimedia. They can help make your talk more engaging, but make sure they are not adding sizzle just for the sake of sizzle.

Don’t read your slides out loud for your audience. Let them read the text, while you provide some commentary or further insight about the idea.

If you’re going to present a list and talk about each item on it, do not present the whole list at once, because people will read ahead. Build your slides so each new slide adds another bullet point to the growing list.

You don’t have to start in front of a crowd of thousands, just push yourself a bit every time you speak.

We’ve all seen and admired those people who seem like they were born on a stage. They speak in full paragraphs without notes, and look as relaxed as if they were heading out for a Sunday stroll. That could be you someday.

The key is to work up to it.

If You’re New to Public Speaking: Write your speech out in full beforehand, to reduce the risk of any big flubs. Be sure that you are writing for the ear, with conversational words, phrases and sentence structures. People often write in somewhat more formal language when they write (“we engaged in heated debate,” rather than “we argued.”) so make sure your talk sounds as natural as if you were speaking at a dinner party.

Then, practice, practice, practice. Practice it enough that you can look up at the audience as often as possible between sentences. And don’t just practice by yourself. You want to get comfortable with your material in front of others.

Try this: Take one piece of your speech, and try it out at the right moment during a meeting at work or at a gathering of friends. Don’t make a big deal of it; just weave it into the conversation. In those settings, of course, you always talk without notes, so it’s a good testing ground for yourself. Get comfortable with your material in front of smaller audiences, and then work up to larger ones.

Try to see the stage and lectern as an extension of everyday life, rather than as foreign and scary terrain. There are plenty of moments in life when you’re the center of attention, so just see the lectern and stage as simply another one.

The second, third or fourth time you speak: Push yourself a bit to talk, even for a sentence or two, without reading your notes verbatim.

Once you’re a bit more experienced: Work up to the next step, where you’re giving yourself just bullet points or cue cards to remind yourself of the notes you want to hit.

“But wait!” you say. “What if I forget something I wanted to say?” Here’s a secret about speaking in front of an audience: Nobody knows what you forget to say. If you didn’t mention something, no big deal. Just focus on hitting the key points.

Once you’re super comfortable: You may find yourself enjoying the same sense of exhilaration you felt as a kid when you took off those training wheels and rode your bike for the first time. Hard as it may be to imagine, it can be thrilling, even fun.

But You’ll Still Be Nervous

The nerves never fully go away. And you should feel a bit nervous before a talk. The key is channeling and focusing that nervousness in a positive way. Remember this clever saying: “It’s okay to have butterflies; just get them to fly in formation.” Over time, you learn to trust yourself, and know that once you’re onstage, you can be confident and deliver a great talk.

Tune into your presentation style and then turn it up a few notches.

There is a hilarious scene in the 1984 mock documentary about a heavy metal-band, “This Is Spinal Tap,” that provides an important lesson about speaking in public. In the scene , the dimwitted guitarist Nigel Tufnel, played by Christopher Guest, is explaining to Rob Reiner’s Marty Di Bergi his decision to change the dials on his Marshall amplifier so that they go to 11 instead of 10. The rationale makes no sense to anyone but himself — only the numbers have changed, after all, not the amp’s ability to play louder. And when Di Bergi presses Tufnel on the squishy logic, the guitarist is stumped and can only repeat himself: “These go to 11.”

What does any of this have to do with public speaking? Here’s the insight: You need to turn up the dial on yourself to 11. Not in terms of how loud you speak, but in terms of your personality. Bring your best self to the lectern.

It’s a lesson I’ve learned first-hand. During the break of a session I did earlier this year, a woman in the audience came up to me and offered some feedback suggesting that I could be an even bigger presence. As memo-to-self moments go, it was a powerful one, and has freed me up to be even more energetic.

After all, it’s your energy that people will remember about you long after your talk is done. It’s unlikely that they’ll remember any of the specific words you said. They might remember some of the photos or video clips you used. But if you inspire people a bit, they will remember how you made them feel. So turn up your dial to 11. Even though you may feel like you’re a bit over the top, it will feel like a 7 to the audience.

When the Audience Needs Dialing Up

And sometimes audiences have low energy. One of the more unnerving moments of speaking to groups can come when you’re looking at all the people in front of you and they are just sitting there or, even worse, are on their phones. You try to read their body language, and you can’t tell if they are bored or tired or listening quietly. Don’t let it throw you. Every audience is a bit different, and even though you may be feeling little to no energy from the crowd, people will likely come up to you afterward and say how great you were. In any crowd, there are always some head-nodders — people who are engaged and listening intently. Feed off their energy. And those people on their phones? Some of them are taking notes from your talk.

Bonus tip: Do not apologize. I’ve seen far too many people over the years start off their talks by apologizing for some aspect of the talk they are about to give. They probably are nervous and maybe want to lower expectations. Resist the temptation. Step up and own it.

Gain respect and attention by making it clear that you are here for them.

When you speak in front of a crowd, there is a kind of invisible wall between you and your audience. Many speakers make no effort whatsoever to break it down. They show up, give their talk, and leave, which has all the personalized feel of watching a TED talk on YouTube.

You can do better. The first step is simple. Thank people for their time, for the invitation and the opportunity to speak. You might also acknowledge that you know how busy they are — a sign that you respect their time and are going to make the most of it.

The second step requires some creativity: Find some personal connection with the audience and what they do. It doesn’t take a lot, and the connection can take many forms, like a shared interest or experience. But put in the effort and time to find something .

Another reliable way to engage the audience is to drop in the occasional “Show of hands, how many people have…?” questions. Move around the stage, and look at people in different parts of the room, making eye contact with as many of them as you can.

Focus on the Beginning and End

Consider this connective tissue as Plan A for your opening, but then during the event or milling around before your talk, be on the lookout for something that feels more of-the-moment. It could be an offhand remark that you overheard during a break that you can use to make a larger (and ideally funny) point. If somebody is speaking before you, show up and watch them, because that may spark an idea that you can use as a bridge to your own talk. Again, you just need something that shows you’re making an effort. If you’re hoping for a laugh, don’t deliver the punchline and worry about crickets. Just deliver it in a more casual way, so that a chuckle or laugh is a bonus, and keep going.

Since we’re talking about opening strong, it’s worth mentioning here that you should finish strong, too. Save your best stuff for your opening and the closing. That’s how people will remember you.

It’s Not (Always) You

As much as you should make an effort to connect with people, some audiences just don’t click, and you shouldn’t take it personally (mostly). I’ve done enough talks over the years to know that I can give the same talk back-to-back to two different audiences, and the reactions could be completely different. It might be the time of day, the temperature in the room, what they served for lunch — plenty of things that aren’t about you.

A big factor is also the physical space of the room you’re in for your talk. There is simply nothing better for creating energy than a person in every seat, and a room that feels tight in a good way. It makes people feel like they are having a shared moment. If I walk into a vast conference or convention room and there are empty pockets of space or seats, I know that trying to create some energy in the room is going to be a Sisyphean struggle.

Bonus tip: If you’re doing a Q&A session onstage with the audience after your talk, do not say “great question” to some of the people who raise their hand. The question they just asked you may in fact be great, but calling it out signals that all the other questions that came before or after didn’t impress you. Just answer the questions.

Nothing will go wrong if you come prepared for everything that does.

If things can go wrong with your talk, they will go wrong. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned the hard way over the years (so you don’t have to).

Find out what the AV set-up is beforehand. Show up early to your presentation, introduce yourself to the tech people and shake their hands. They will help you if they want to help you, so treat them with respect. You have enough to worry about with delivering your talk. Don’t let AV challenges add to your stress levels.

When possible, use your own computer. It’s (hopefully) the one you practiced on at home, and therefore your most comfortable tool.

Arrive technologically prepared. There have been plenty of moments when the set-up can’t accommodate my computer onstage. So bring your own multi-prong adapter, charger, clicker to advance your slides, and anything else you could possibly need. The AV staff probably has what you need, but it’s always safer to bring your own.

Give the AV people a backup version of your slides on a thumb drive just in case things go awry. This has saved me on more than one occasion. Any backup you share should be in a PDF format, because fonts can change between different systems.

Look in a mirror. Always check yourself in a mirror before you go on to make sure there is no errant thread on your clothes or something in your teeth, and that everything is in place and done up.

Try to Find the Fun

Follow these tips, and you’ll set yourself up for success. You’ve earned the opportunity to be invited to come share your thoughts. So be your best self and create some energy in the room (and maybe a bit of inspiration), and people will remember you long after you’ve left the stage.

Adam Bryant is managing director of Merryck & Co., a leadership development and executive mentoring firm. An 18-year veteran of The New York Times, he created the Corner Office interview series and spoke to 525 chief executives about how they lead. He is also the author of two books, including “Quick and Nimble: Lessons from Leading CEOs on How to Create a Culture of Innovation.”

Twitter: @AdamBBryant

  • Public Speaking
  • Skills & Tools

Public speaking skills refer to the talent of effectively addressing an audience. Whether it is in front of a group of people you already know or a crowd of complete strangers, your ability to communicate to them with clarity and confidence is known as your public speaking skills.

There may or may not be an opportunity for interaction between the speaker and audience. The basic difference, however, between a casual talk and public speaking is that the latter is more purposeful and meant for celebratory, entertainment, influencing, or informative purposes.

Why is public speaking important

Good public speaking skills can have a huge impact on your career for the following reasons:

  • Demonstrates your knowledge . You are always at your best when you can articulate your thoughts clearly and effectively. Public speaking skills help you do exactly that. After all, the true worth of the knowledge you possess can only be realized when you can show and apply it.
  • Demonstrates your confidence . Not only does public speaking increase your knowledge during the process of preparation but it also develops and demonstrates your confidence. Whether you are interviewing for a job or hoping for a promotion, your confidence is what will make you stand out among other candidates.
  • Helps you lead better . The higher you climb up the career ladder, the greater will be the number of people you shall have to lead. As a result, the need for public speaking skills and the confidence pertinent to it also increases, making it one of the determining characteristic when considering someone for promotion.

How to improve public speaking skills

Following are some helpful tips for improving your public speaking skills:

  • Prepare with practice . Once you have prepared a presentation or speech by giving it a logical flow and making it more vibrant with the addition of examples, stories, and visually appealing props, only then your true preparation begins. If you are wondering what that means, remember that practice is the key to preparation. Practice your speech/presentation alone or seek to speak in front of other people until you can speak fluidly with confidence and comfort. This may sometimes require you to tweak your words during practice but it’s preferable to do so in practice instead of doing so at the occasion where you intend to take the mike.
  • Accentuate your strengths . Analyze yourself as a public speaker and identify your true strengths and weaknesses. Most of us tend to imitate other public speakers who are popular amongst the crowd. However, the best way is to be yourself and focus on your own strengths. For instance, you might have a good sense of humor that helps in grabbing attention of the crowd, you may be an interesting story teller, or you may be good at clearly explaining complex ideas. Whichever is your strength, utilize it wisely to keep your audience paying attention.
  • Keep your ears and eyes open to feedback . Although, all sorts of public speaking do not involve direct interaction between the speaker and his audience, there are various ways in which audience is able to provide feedback. If the audience cannot speak their opinion out loud, as a speaker you should be able to look for nonverbal cues such as the body language or facial expressions of the audience. The feedback, thus, provided by the audience can prove to be a helpful guide in improving one’s public speaking skills.

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Module 1: Introduction to Public Speaking

The benefits of public speaking, learning objectives.

Explain the benefits of public speaking to your education, your personal life, and your career.

A woman is speaking to five colleagues around a table.

It may be self-evident to you why speaking more confidently, clearly, and effectively would help you in a variety of ways. From speaking up in class or at work to communicating with your children, partner, or friends, making yourself heard and understood has some obvious benefits. You may not realize, however, that the study of public speaking covers far more than just speaking in front of an audience. To succeed in this class, you will learn how to listen actively and provide productive feedback, think about the ethical implications of public communication, build your research skills, practice analyzing and constructing arguments, and to anticipate and incorporate the needs and expectations of your audience for any kind of communication. At the same time, of course, you’ll gain skills and confidence to speak publicly in a variety of situations, from persuading an audience with facts and logic to entertaining a crowd with a well-prepared toast.

Educational Benefits

Many of the skills you learn in this class are directly transferable to other classes and academic pursuits. Here are just a few ways that public speaking can help you in your educational journey:

Research Effectively

Whether for a speech, a written essay, or a multimedia presentation, you need to have relevant and trustworthy information. How do you know which facts are accurate? How do you know which experts are credible? In putting together your presentations, you will learn the key skills of researching a topic and gathering the most compelling, relevant, and reliable data to make your argument.

Make Stronger Arguments

Rhetoric, the art of persuasion, was originally framed in terms of persuasive public speech (In ancient Greece and Rome, a rhetor was an orator). And in fact, you will likely find that preparing arguments for public speech helps to clarify broader questions of argumentation. After all, what better way to test the power of your argument than to try it out on a live (or virtual) audience?

Organize Your Ideas

As you probably know from experience, it’s harder to follow a complex argument in spoken form than an argument in writing. When writing a speech, you may find that you grapple with organizational questions in a different way than you do when writing a paper, which in turn can provide insights about organizing strategies more generally.

Increase Your Confidence in Class Participation

The more you speak in public, the more confident you’ll feel about making your voice heard.

Life and Career Skills

Year after year, research has shown that employers rank the ability to communicate effectively as one of the most sought-after competences from new employees. Many of the top-rated soft skills necessary to succeed in a shifting work environment and evolving career fields are found in this public speaking course.  [1] [2]  In a survey of college graduates, Zekeri (2004) found that former students rated “skill in oral communication” at the top of a list of crucial academic skills. [3]

Zekeri, A. A. (2004). College Curriculum Competencies and Skills Former Students Found Essential to Their Careers.  College Student Journal , 38(3), 412–422.

By honing the skills learned in this course, you can stand out at work and advance your career, and you’ll probably discover benefits in your personal life as well.

Inspire People

Being able to persuade and inspire clients, stakeholders, team members, and leadership will help you to ensure buy-in for your ideas and build a positive workplace culture.

Grow Your Confidence

Understanding apprehension and leveraging the techniques to reduce and persevere through anxiety will help you to speak up, take on special projects, and seek out opportunities to network and gain visibility in your career.

Be a More Effective Leader

A good leader, like a good speaker, places their audience at the center of the communication process. The skills you learn in this course will help you to focus on others and consider the thoughts and feelings of your team when making decisions and presenting ideas.

Be a Better Listener

Among the central competencies of this course are the crucial—and challenging—skills of listening actively and sharing feedback productively. Purdy (1997) enumerates a plethora of benefits of conscious listening, including greater success in school and at work, more fulfilling interpersonal relationships, and even health benefits [4] The advantages of active listening extend from our most personal relationships to the realms of mass politics and entertainment, and outward to all aspects of our interconnected society.

Become a Powerful Advocate

Whether negotiating with a family member, persuading a co-worker, or winning over a contentious crowd at a school-board meeting, the argumentation strategies you learn in this course will help you become a stronger advocate for the values, ideas, and causes you believe in.

Develop Your Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

Public speaking teaches us to build sound arguments, follow logical reasoning, and evaluate sources. It also helps us to see past our own perspective and adapt, which is necessary when problem-solving in all areas of our lives.

Hone Your Presentation Skills

Rather than adding to the number of boring and inapplicable presentations employees and clients will sit through, you will be able to command attention from the room, use your speaking time effectively, and create visual aids that enhance rather than detract from your presentation. Whether prepared or speaking off the cuff, you will have the storytelling skills to effectively use data points and research to create a comprehensive story.

  • (Lazzaroni) Pate, Deanna. The Top Skills in Demand for 2020—And How to Learn Them , 13 Jan. 2020, http://www.linkedin.com/business/learning/blog/top-skills-and-courses/the-skills-companies-need-most-in-2020and-how-to-learn-them . ↵
  • Marr, Bernard. “The 10+ Most Important Job Skills Every Company Will Be Looking For in 2020.” Forbes , Forbes Magazine, 28 Oct. 2019, http://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/10/28/the-10-most-important-job-skills-every-company-will-be-looking-for-in-2020 . ↵
  • Zekeri, Andrew A. “College Curriculum Competencies and Skills Former Students Found Essential to Their Careers.” College Student Journal , vol. 38, no. 3, 2004, pp. 412–422. ↵
  • Purdy, Michael. "What Is listening?" Listening in Everyday Life: A Personal and Professional Approach , edited by Michael Purdy and Deborah Borisoff. University Press of America, 1997, pp. 1–20. ↵
  • Benefits of Public Speaking. Authored by : Anne Fleischer with Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution

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Speaking as a Skill for Success

Through a four-part framework for public speaking, students find their voice and confidence.

A student is speaking in front of the classroom.

At School 21, oracy -- the ability to speak well -- is a core element taught throughout every class, and in every lesson. Starting in the primary grades of this London-based public school, students learn an array of skills to help them become more effective speakers: how to speak in complete sentences, make eye contact, and build on each other's ideas. "I remember in primary," recalls Rummana, a Year 7 student, "I would never say a single word, and when teachers used to pick on me, I used to sit there thinking, 'Oh, no. Oh, no.' Because I was too scared to speak to people, and now I feel like I've changed, and I like my new self."

School 21's secondary students put those oracy skills to use in speeches, where they practice speaking to different real-world audiences.

In Year 7 , students speak on a topic about which they're passionate. The idea is that each student deserves to find his or her voice and learn to use it.

In Year 8 , students choose a subject in which they are experts and deliver a speech on that. They have developed their voice, and their focus is now sharing their knowledge.

In Year 9 , students speak about a political topic. Their focus has become using their voice to engage with the world.

School 21 teaches students from Reception (pre-K) through Year 11, and will ultimately serve through Year 13.

"We spend a lot of time getting students to speak in different arenas, forums, and environments," says Rachael Futo, a Year 7 coach, "so that they're ready and prepared for things like interviews where students who come from public schools often don't do as well."

Learn how you can use public speaking as a tool to prepare your students for speaking in different real-world contexts.

How It's Done

Start with a public speaking model.

School 21 bases their students' speeches on the Ignite model (which in turn is based on the TED Talk model) -- a five-minute, no-notes speech with 20 slides changing every 15 seconds behind the speaker. The school holds an Ignite Talks event each summer term, involving the whole school community, including parents.

Build Your Students' Public Speaking Skills Using the Oracy Framework

Year 7 students focus on building their public speaking skills through the four strands of the oracy framework : physical, linguistic, cognitive, and emotional -- a range that helps them decide on tones of voice or body language that will help them effectively communicate their message.

"It's a lot to keep in mind at first," says Matilda, a Year 9 student, "but we're practicing it all the time in every lesson we're in, and by the time you get to Year 9, it's almost instinctive."

Have Your Students Write an Essay or Respond to Prompts to Help Develop Their Speech

In Year 7, before performing their Ignite, students develop a pre-Ignite speech. This precept speech defines and shares their life philosophy. "The precept speech is their chance to make mistakes, find their feet, and test out their voice," explains Shakela Uddin, a Year 7 teacher.

In preparing for their precept speeches, students complete two writing assignments and create a visual map to reflect different parts that they will include in their speech.

A Visual Map: First, they create a graphic representation of their lives from infancy to the present. This helps them reflect on their memories, whether they remember learning something new about themselves from one of those past experiences, and which of these discoveries they want to talk about.

Me in a Different Way: After reflecting on their memories from the visual map, they select a memory on which they'll focus. In writing, they explore what they learned about themselves from that experience, how they were before, how they have changed after, and what that journey was like.

Word Vomit: "This is a writing exercise where you write, write, and write until you're like, 'I have nothing to say,' and then you're like, 'OK, I'm going to carry on writing,'" says Uddin. She takes her students through this exercise four times. First they focus on writing the hook. What can they say to draw in their audience from the beginning of their speech? Second, they write about their story. Next, they focus on why they want to talk about that story, what they want to say about it, and reflect on which parts of the story are boring and exciting. In their last word vomit, they write about what they learned from that experience.

"Before they know it, they've written a speech already, and they’re like, 'OK, I’ve done four parts, and that’s my speech,'" says Uddin.

Year 8 students first write an essay related to the topic of their proposed speech, and later they convert it into a talk. "The idea is that it builds their cognitive skills more," explains Jess Hughes, an English teacher and coach.

They spend four weeks drafting and critiquing their essay with teacher and peer feedback, and then each student meets one-on-one with a student from the University of Cambridge for further feedback. "There's a real audience and purpose for their essay," says Hughes. "The idea is they'll come away from that tutorial with loads of feedback to then turn that essay into a speech. That's their big, midpoint critique, and then we'll have about seven weeks to convert those into speeches."

Once the essay is finished, students begin looking at the four strands of the oracy framework and building those techniques into their speech. They'll decide how they'll open their speech to hook their audience, how they'll stand and move around, and how they'll project their voice.

"What writing speeches has helped me with is definitely confidence," reflects Matilda. "I've been able to perform my speech in front of a big crowd. All of that practice really does pay off. It's a skill we can transfer to the rest of our life."

Use Peer Critique to Guide Your Students in Redrafting Their Speech

As they develop their oracy skills, School 21 students present their speeches to one or a small group of peers for feedback based on the four oracy strands: How are they emoting? How impactful is the vocabulary they're using? How effective are the gestures they're making? Are they engaging their audience?

In Year 9, instead of giving a solo speech, students debate in teams. One group speaks for -- and another group against -- a political issue. "The two proposers would critique the two opposers, and vice versa," explains Rosie Goodhart, a history teacher. "I think the value of critique is that it's a constant thing of thinking and rethinking. You're constantly being questioned. It opens up dialogue."

School 21 believes that critique helps students reflect on their development, self-assess their strengths and weaknesses, and learn how to create high-standard, beautiful work.

Related Article: How to Infuse the Arts in Core Curriculum (and Why It Matters)

Incorporate a Real-World Audience

Bring in outside experts to judge students' speeches. By having them deliver speeches to authentic, real-world audiences, you're increasing your students' drive to meet higher expectations. You're also expanding their comfort zone and skill set by developing their ability to address a wide range of real-world audiences in different environments.

"You don't know how good your oracy is until you're put into a different context and are asked to do something with it," says Oli de Botton, a School 21 co-founder and head teacher. "Imagine the context we put our children in: in front of their parents in the first year, in front of undergraduates in their second year, in front of political experts in their third year, and in front of employers in their fourth year. They have the acuity, agility, and ability to frame their speech depending on the audience, which is often the missing link in speaking."

10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

Communication Strategies: Presenting with Impact

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2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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PUBLIC SPEAKING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

18 PUBLIC SPEAKING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

At some point in your life, you will have to speak in public , maybe at school or work, it is inevitable. One’s best course of action is to prepare for it. Here, I have put together a list of 18 frequently asked questions about public speaking, to help you on your journey to becoming a competent speaker. Take a look.

Related Article:

9 Qualities of a Great Presenter

15 Ideas to Make A Speech UNIQUE, Memorable and Inspiring

1. WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED TO BE A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER?

There are three essential skills for displaying good public speaking skills: Voice Modulation, Body Language, and Storytelling.

Voice Modulation

Voice modulation is all about voice control. How you say certain words and communicate an idea. Just by speaking loudly, gently, quickly or slowly, you can create a unique message.  If someone were to speak every word with the same tone and pitch, the speech will quickly become boring and uninspiring. To be a good public speaker, voice modulation is a must-have skill. You should know when to emphasize certain words when to pause when to be quiet and gentle, and so on. It does make a lot of difference.

Related Post: 10 Public Speaking Tips for Beginners

Body Language

Once you have gotten the voice part down, your next point of call is your body language. As a public speaker, your entire body gets to participate in your speech delivery. Gestures and facial expressions are a very potent part of your arsenal as a public speaker. Stand tall, slouching won’t do you any good. Match your face and demeanor to the words you are speaking. 

Storytelling

Being able to relate your topic of choice with relatable stories and tell them in a passionate and captivating manner will ensure that your audience is paying attention and picture the idea that you are trying to convey to them. If nothing else, being a great storyteller is paramount to being a good public speaker. For more on Storytelling, please check out this article with 8 tips to help you master the art of storytelling .

2. HOW TO BE MORE ARTICULATE IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

To be more articulate in public speaking, it is important to reduce and ultimately eliminate filler words, learning how to use pause is also a great asset.

One very common enemy to articulate speeches is filler words. Yes, it is understandable if you drop a few ‘um’s and ‘uh’s now and then, but when they become so much, they make you sound incompetent. Your best course of action is to eliminate filler words entirely, but it won’t be easy. You have to eliminate them through practice. 

Also, don’t use words that you are not comfortable with. Keep it simple. Simple words, simple sentences, will serve you better.

3. WHAT IS THE PRIMARY REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING?

The answer to this stems from your reason to speak. If you are passionate about an idea and want to share it with others, then that passion is enough reason to speak. If a group of people look up to you and expect you to bring them peace with your words, then the hope of others is enough reason to speak….and so on, you get the idea.

The primary requirement for public speaking, from a technical perspective, is ensuring that the audience is willing to listen, come up with a well-prepared speech, and possessing the skills to effectively deliver the speech.

Please refer to this amazing article on 7 essential elements of public speaking and 8 tips for effective speech delivery to find out more (You’ll love it!)

PUBLIC SPEAKING QUESTIONS

4. DO YOU NEED CHARISMA TO BE A GREAT PUBLIC SPEAKER?

Charisma is not a requirement for being a good speaker or presenter. However, charisma can be a very powerful tool.

When you really think about it, you see that charisma does in fact have nothing to do with the message you are trying to pass across. Charisma is more about you than the message of your speech. Charisma is about your ability to grab attention, to light up the stage. All this is great to have for a public speaker, but it can sometimes distract the audience from the actual message of your speech.

Having Charisma is great, but definitely not a must.

5. DO PUBLIC SPEAKING COURSES WORK?

As with most things in life, the measure you put in is the measure you get out. Whether a public speaking course would work depends more on you than your mentor. That is not to say that there aren’t crappy courses out there, but in the end, you determine what you get out of everything you do.

If a passionate and competent public speaking tutor and student who is willing to learn come together, good things are sure to happen. Also, public speaking is much more layered than most people think. Most times, only a seasoned mentor can open your eyes to the nitty-gritty of public speaking.

Check out the link before with description of 4 online options for you to choose from and learn more about public speaking for free.

Top 4 Free Online Public Speaking Classes

6. WHERE TO LEARN PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS FOR FREE ?

So you have decided to conquer your fear of public speaking and want to be a great speaker. Here are some resources to help you do that for free!

  • Blogs on Public Speaking
  • Speeches of other great speakers
  • Free Udemy courses
  • Toastmasters International Free Public Speaking Tips

8 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ACE ANY JOB INTERVIEW

8 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ACE ANY JOB INTERVIEW

The happiness when receiving a call marking the job interview gives rise to endless anxiety. After all, it’s only a few minutes to prove your worth, impress the recruiter and seize the opportunity. However, to do well at the job interview, you need to think about what you will say, how you will present yourself,…

TOP 7 Core Interpersonal Skills in Leadership

TOP 7 Core Interpersonal Skills in Leadership

At any time, a leader is seen as one who guides one or more people to fulfill something stipulated; today, however, we understand that this journey comprises the achievement of results and the evolution, in some way, of all who participate in the process. Leaders are people with high power to inspire those around them,…

An Easy Guide to All 15 Types of Speech

An Easy Guide to All 15 Types of Speech

We keep learning that there are three types of speeches, informative speeches, persuasive speeches and special occasion speeches. However, I believe and know that there are many more such as debates, motivational speeches, forensic speeches, impromptu speeches, eulogy, and so on. Here’s a growing list of over 13 types of speech and tips on how…

7. IS PUBLIC SPEAKING A SKILL OR A TALENT

Public speaking is more of a skill than a talent. Yes, there may be people to whom standing in front of a group of persons to deliver a message comes naturally, but in the end, time and effort are required to become an effective public speaker, there are no shortcuts.

The best way for anyone to go is to see public speaking as a skill, so they can put in the work required to improve their skill. If you see public speaking as a talent, you are very likely to put it on a pedestal, this will make you feel that only a select few are ‘born’ to be great public speakers, which is most definitely wrong.

8. WHAT IS THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING?

Simply put, the art of public speaking is all about communicating an idea to an audience. It involves the use of a combination of skills to effectively convey your point to an audience. It is more than just standing in front of an audience and reciting some words, there has to be a connection between speaker and audience. The audience is part of the journey from start to finish. Public speaking is only effective if, after the speech, the audience clearly understood what was said.

9. HOW TO GAIN MORE CONFIDENCE FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

As a general rule people get more confident when they prepare, practice and have some social proof of their talents, skills and aptitudes. To become a more confident public speaker, it’s critical to prepare, rehearse and study the audience before delivering the speech.

Preparation

It would be difficult to not be confident when you have done exhaustive research into the topic you are to speak about. When you know all that there is to know about a topic, there is a very high probability that your delivery will be confident and natural.

Give your speech in front of a mirror over and over again. Iron out every kink until you are satisfied. Once you have built confidence, present your speech to a few people; friends, and family. Hear what they have to say about your delivery and make any adjustments if necessary.

Seek out allies

When giving the speech, seek out members of the audience that seem to agree with your ideas. Those that seem more interested and willing to hear more. Focus more on them. 

Check out these 6 tips for increasing your confidence when speaking in public , and make sure to build credibility and trust with your audience.

10. DOES READING HELP YOU BECOME A BETTER PUBLIC SPEAKER

Reading helps with nurturing speaking skills, but nothing beats actual speaking practice. It is easy for most people irrespective of their profession to read a book and understand its concepts, execution, on the other hand, is much more challenging.

No one becomes an expert at something purely by only reading about it. ‘Doing’ and execution are what actually birth mastery.

11. WHO IS THE BEST PUBLIC SPEAKER IN YOUR OPINION? WHY?

Well, there are a lot of great public speakers, each excelling in different scenarios. For example, as of now I personally enjoy listening to Simon Sinek’s speeches and how captivates the audience and takes them on a journey.

Another one that stands out to me is Tony Robbins. He is an amazing public speaker. He knows how to tell a story and inspire action in the process.  He takes the audience along every step of the way. What I really like about him is how ‘balanced’ he is as a public speaker. There are times where he is loud and assertive, other times he can be gentle and emotional. 

12. WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING?

There are two particular things that most people struggle with as regards public speaking one is overcoming the stage fright and the other is getting and keeping the attention of the audience. 

13. WHAT ARE THE SPEECH TACTICS OF THE BEST PUBLIC SPEAKERS?

One of the tactics I have noticed being used by good public speakers is using a ‘hook’ to get the attention of the audience. The hook can be a personal story, or a statement of fact; something that the audience can’t ignore. 

Great public speakers also, almost always, use storytelling. Stories that clearly buttress the message of their speech or stories that communicate an idea related to their speech. Another thing that really shines through is how passionate the speakers are about the message they want to deliver.

14. WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING?

Public speaking happens in virtually all areas of life. So long as there is a message to convey and people are willing to listen, public speaking can ensue. Some good examples of public speaking are Ted Talks, office presentations, school presentations, interviews, sermons, and so on.

15. IS A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER A MIXTURE OF MADE AND BORN?

Yes, people that are born extroverted are more likely to become good public speakers. However, nothing is set in stone. If those born extroverted don’t put in the work required to becoming a good public speaker then they could end up us ‘not-so-good’ speakers. 

Those born as introverts on the other hand are less likely to be good public speakers, but with enough practice and sound mentorship, they can become good public speakers. One such example is Simon Sinek, the one mentioned above.

16. CAN YOU LEARN TO BE A PUBLIC SPEAKER AT ANY AGE?

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Of course, you can. So long as you are willing to learn. Being a good public speaker has little or nothing to do with age. It’s all about the individual. A teenager who has always been speaking in front of his peers is bound to be a better public speaker than a 40-year-old who never spoke in public. 

17. WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A PUBLIC SPEAKER?

A public speaker should be confident, passionate and above all, a good communicator. A public speaker should be able to engage and connect with his/her audience. 

18. ARE GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKERS MORE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE?

There doesn’t seem to be any correlation between being a good public speaker and being “successful” in life, after all, success means different things to different people. However, being a good public speaker is a good skill to have especially in the corporate world. Most people perceive good public speakers to be competent individuals, thereby trusting them with more responsibilities.

There you have it, these are my answers to some of the most frequently asked questions with regards to public speaking. Hope they were helpful? If you want to know more about public speaking, do well to check out more of our content. Cheers, and stay safe.

  • https://www.verywellmind.com/public-speaking-skills-3024308
  • https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/5-remarkably-powerful-hacks-to-become-more-articulate-you-dont-have-to-give-a-ted-talk-to-do-it.html
  • https://www.inc.com/larry-kim/nine-places-to-learn-public-speaking-for-free.html
  • https://www.speakschmeak.com/2007/12/public-speaking-talent-or-skill.html
  • https://blog.tedmcgrathbrands.com/public-speaking-tips-boost-confidence/
  • https://www.briantracy.com/blog/public-speaking/tips-to-wow-a-crowd/
  • https://mannerofspeaking.org/2016/03/19/five-characteristics-you-need-to-succeed-as-a-public-speaker/
  • https://www.acethepresentation.com/ideas-to-make-a-speech-unique/

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Communication Skills — My Battle with Public Speaking

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My Battle with Public Speaking

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Words: 980 |

Updated: 15 November, 2023

Words: 980 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Works Cited

  • American Psychological Association. (n.d.). The Road to Resilience.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Mental Health Basics.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Workplace Health Promotion.
  • Galinsky, T., Swanson, N., & Sauter, S. (2001). The Human Side of Work: Improving Work-Life Balance. American Psychological Association.
  • Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Spirituality and Health: What’s the Connection? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/spirituality-and-health-whats-the-connection
  • Healthy People 2030. (2021). Wellness. Retrieved from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health/wellness
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/how-effective-drug-addiction-treatment
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
  • United States Department of Labor. (n.d.). Occupational Wellness.
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Mental health: strengthening our response.

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Essay on Public Speaking | Importance of Public Speaking Skills Today

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Public speaking is an important aspect of our life. Its one of the core skill that is needed to have a healthy and meaningful life ahead. The following essay on public speaking sheds light upon public speaking, its importance, meaning & value in life. This short & long essay is very helpful for children and students in their school exam preparation, test etc.

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Essay on Public Speaking | Meaning, Value & Importance of Public Speaking Skills Today

Public speaking is the act of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners.  Public speaking is a skill, a form of communication in which a speaker addresses a live audience in a formal setting.

Public speaking is commonly understood to mean the formal addressing of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners. Public speaking is not just for teachers, politicians, or business owners. As mentioned above, public speaking is an act that can be applied to many aspects of life.

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Public Speaking is a Skill

Skill is dexterity, accuracy, or proficiency gained through practice”, says the dictionary. These three words seem to be right in line with what it implies to be proficient in public speaking. Public speaking is simply the act of speaking in front of a group of two or more people. It involves conveying your ideas to an audience in a coherent, engaging, and informative way.

It must be done in an organized manner while keeping the interest of your audience throughout the speech. Read our best Selected Essay on Public Speaking, its importance in daily life. This short and long essay is quite helpful for students in preparing for their exams, tests, presentation etc.

Importance of Public Speaking Skills today

The ability to speak effectively and persuasively is a highly desired professional and personal skill. The founders of the United States were effective communicators who articulated the vision of the new nation clearly and inspired others to join them in creating “a more perfect union.” Businesses hire public speakers to motivate their employees and present information that will help increase productivity and profits.

Whether you’re pursuing a career in business, politics, education, or entertainment; mastering the art of public speaking will help you achieve your goals. From political candidates to business executives, successful individuals know that their ability to speak before a group is critical success factor. People who can speak effectively are highly regarded in their professions, and this is no different when it comes to the business world.

Benefits of Public Speaking Skills in our Life

The ability to speak effectively in front of a group of people, whether it is two or two hundred, is an immensely helpful skill to have. Here are some of the benefits of public speaking:

  • Gaining Confidence

Speaking in front of a group of people is intimidating, especially for those who consider themselves shy or introverted. However, the more you get comfortable speaking in front of a group, the easier it will become for you. Even if you are nervous or anxious about speaking in front of others, being able to step up to the mic and deliver will boost your confidence.

  • Learning New Things

When you speak to others, you learn new things that you wouldn’t know otherwise. You are exposed to people, places, and ideas you wouldn’t necessarily come across on your own. Speaking in front of a crowd forces you to stay up-to-date on current events and learn about different cultures, beliefs, and practices.

  • Getting a Job

Having effective communication skills can serve as a powerful tool in the job market. Employers want to hire individuals who are able to convey a message accurately, effectively, and professionally. Public speaking is a great way to show off your communication skills.

  • Sharing Personal Experiences

There are many benefits from sharing your personal experiences with a group of people. You do not have to be a great public speaker to share a story, poem, or other piece of writing. Telling your story is not only informative, it’s also relatable. Sharing personal experiences with others often brings people together and can help you build stronger relationships.

Learning the Art of Public Speaking

Public speaking is the gradual learning process. It can be learned over the times. However, you can follow these steps to become a better public speaker:

Know Your Audience:  Know who you are speaking in front of, the purpose of your speech, and which style of communication you should use to best connect with your audience.

Understand Your Subject Matter: If you do not know much about public speaking, research is your best friend. Doing basic background work on the subject will help you communicate about it more confidently.

Practice Your Speech: You can never practice too much. Rehearse your speech as many times as possible to ensure that you are speaking clearly and smoothly.

Maintain an Open Body Language:   Remain open to your audience, but do not let it distract you. Maintain eye contact with your listeners, but do not let it distract you. Remain open to your audience, but do not let it distract you. Maintain eye contact with your listeners, but do not let it distract you.

Deliver Your Speech Clearly and Concisely: Delivering your speech properly is the key to successful public speaking. Ensure that your message is clear and precise by speaking slowly and enunciating your words carefully.

Take Care of Your Appearance: People take many things into consideration when judging someone’s character, so taking care of your appearance is an important part of public speaking.

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Public speaking is a skill that can help you in many areas of your life, from taking on a new job to connecting with others. Public speaking is an extremely useful skill that anyone can benefit from. If you are nervous about public speaking, it may cause you to fear it; however, the

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  1. Public Speaking as an Effective Skill

    Public Speaking as an Effective Skill Essay Exclusively available on IvyPanda Updated: Oct 31st, 2023 Public speaking is a highly important and useful skill that carries multiple advantages for personal life and professional career. Public speaking skills are required for specialists of various kinds.

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    Stick to a Few Main Points Organizing your information in a logical way not only helps you keep track of what you're saying, but it helps your audience follow along as well. Try to emphasize a few main points in your presentation and return to them before you conclude.

  3. 10 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

    1. Know your audience. You're more likely to feel comfortable presenting to an audience if you know who they are. That way, you can craft your message in a tone that resonates with them, perhaps using humor to ease the tension. Start by assessing your audience's level of understanding of the topic you plan to discuss.

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    Public Speaking Essay: Public speaking is an important part of today's life. If a person can master the art of public speaking then there is a lot of chance for him or her to make a successful career in life. In whichever field you look at today, public speaking is very important to establish your identity and brand image.

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    Ready, Set, Speak Public speaking can be scary, and struggling with it can hurt your career. Aisha Langford offers advice on how you can improve your speaking skills and build your confidence. By Aisha Langford Public speaking is a critical, but often underdeveloped, skill among higher education professionals.

  6. 1.1 Why Is Public Speaking Important?

    1.1 Why Is Public Speaking Important? Learning Objectives Explore three types of public speaking in everyday life: informative, persuasive, and entertaining. Understand the benefits of taking a course in public speaking. Explain the benefits people get from engaging in public speaking. Christian Pierret - Leader - CC BY 2.0.

  7. Important Public Speaking Skills for Workplace Success

    Public speaking is a soft skill that requires excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, and the ability to engage with an audience. Soft skills are interpersonal skills that are less technical and more about how you interact with others. Public speakers make presentations to a group.

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    Article • 13 min read Better Public Speaking Becoming a Confident, Compelling Speaker MTCT By the Mind Tools Content Team Whether we're talking in a team meeting or presenting in front of an audience, we all have to speak in public from time to time.

  9. How to Speak in Public

    The second, third or fourth time you speak: Push yourself a bit to talk, even for a sentence or two, without reading your notes verbatim. Once you're a bit more experienced: Work up to the next ...

  10. Public Speaking

    Public speaking skills refer to the talent of effectively addressing an audience. Whether it is in front of a group of people you already know or a crowd of complete strangers, your ability to communicate to them with clarity and confidence is known as your public speaking skills.

  11. The Benefits of Public Speaking

    Many of the skills you learn in this class are directly transferable to other classes and academic pursuits. Here are just a few ways that public speaking can help you in your educational journey: Research Effectively. Whether for a speech, a written essay, or a multimedia presentation, you need to have relevant and trustworthy information.

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    Year 7 students focus on building their public speaking skills through the four strands of the oracy framework: physical, linguistic, cognitive, and emotional -- a range that helps them decide on tones of voice or body language that will help them effectively communicate their message. "It's a lot to keep in mind at first," says Matilda, a Year ...

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    Presentation skills are the abilities and qualities necessary for creating and delivering a compelling presentation that effectively communicates information and ideas. They encompass what you say, how you structure it, and the materials you include to support what you say, such as slides, videos, or images. You'll make presentations at various ...

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    For the third and final part of this series, I'm providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance. Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking: 1. Nervousness Is Normal. Practice and Prepare! All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands.

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    During this course I have improved in many aspects pertaining to public speaking. I have improved on my poor eye contact, shaky hands, and I have become less reserved and shy. These improvements are identical to my CIP paper because in the beginning of the year I told myself that those were the goals and qualities that I wanted to work for to ...

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    1. WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED TO BE A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKER? There are three essential skills for displaying good public speaking skills: Voice Modulation, Body Language, and Storytelling. Voice Modulation Voice modulation is all about voice control. How you say certain words and communicate an idea.

  20. My Battle with Public Speaking: [Essay Example], 980 words

    Public speaking is typically something many people do not enjoy doing. Most people try to avoid doing public speaking simply because of the fear of speaking in front of an audience is just terrifying or maybe even intimidating to some. I am one of those people who typically do not enjoy public speaking.

  21. Why Is Public Speaking Important? Free Essay Example

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