Oral presentation tips?

Question

This Thursday, I have to do a 3-minute presentation in front of a large group on my science fair project.

I plan on using notecards and practicing at home beforehand.

However, as much as I practice in front of friends or in a mirror, as soon as I get up in front of the class, my voice gets scratchy and I move around a lot. Usually the only negative comments from teachers on my past presentations are about my nervous-ness, and I just don't know how to control it!

Any tips from your experience?

Thanks so much! :)

Answer 1

Practice a lot. Ask your parents/siblings to listen to you so you get used to an audience.

Remember that everyone is a bit nervous in front of the room. The more confident you are in your material, the less nervous you will appear. Speak slowly and confidently. Remember, that you have prepared well and that you know what you are talking about!

You don't have to look people in the audience in the eye. Look at their foreheads. From a distance, they will think you are looking at them, but they won't be able to tell that you actually are not.

Before you start, wait a few seconds and really plant your feet on the ground and tell yourself that you are not going to move from that spot. If you find yourself moving around, stop and take a breath, then continue.

Try not to use your notecards often -- just for reference. The better you know your material, the better off you are.

Answer 2

Try to focus on a friendly face in the group and then look at the rest of your audience trying to imagine that same friendly face while you are panning back and forth across your audience. Don't look at the instructor but rather your audience. To avoid a scratchy throat you might take a bottle of water with you and ask the instructor if it is acceptable for you to take a drink before going before the group or a soothing cough drop up until the time you start might also help but be sure to get rid of it before going before your audience.
Try to plant your feet with a good base and pretend they are glued there. Hope it goes well for you.

Answer 3

I personally suggest you don't think too much on the people in front of you or the teacher. Just do your presentation as you practiced, & think only on what you need to say, not who's watching you.

Answer 4

i did one of those yerturday. here are some tips:
Avoid like or umm
don't stiffen legs
talk to the group, not the teacher
try using arm movments to show what u are saying.
look up
take a little time to cough before your turn so ur voice isn't all crackled up.
picture the audience in their underwear so u don't feel embarrised

Good Luck!

Answer 5

just don't pay attention to the people in front of you just focus on what you are presenting. once you start worrying about the people then you will get nervous. so just imagine that you are doing it in front of your friends

Answer 6

I am shy and I had to sing in front of 500 persons in 6th grade. Do not see the people on their faces. just look above them. that will work. and do not feel they are gonna kill u, cuz they just wanna listening to what you want to say and they will be respect what u say...

Answer 7

just stop thinking

and practice enuf that u can do it without thinking of course

Answer 8

what helps me is to look at something that is at head level to your audience, then you can just pretend they arent there because you are not looking at them.

i really hope this helps...

Answer 9

don't look down
say like or umm
don't just look at the teacher
don't fiddle with hands

Answer 10

just relax or do a little smoke..just kidding..you will do great I believe in you..come on you can do it..just believe in your self..good luck..