public speaking tips?

Question

i in debate class this year but we start with a speech about any person in the class. I always get really nervous so you have any tips? things to try? websites that help? anything? thanks

Answer 1

The most important thing in public speaking is to look directly at someone in the audience and address that person. You can change from one person to another with different paragraphs but always speak to someone. If you look at the wall above them or the door or your notes you will lose the audience. When you address one person the rest of the audience thinks you are including them. If you don't look at people, they all feel excluded.

Practise what you are going to say and use your notes or prompt cards as just that to keep you on track. Don't read a speech. If you are given a certain amount of time for a speech, use it. Practise with reading aloud against a clock so you get the feel of your allocated time.

Answer 2

Joeey, I was an elementary school teacher and the two things I always reminded my students to do are to speak slowly, it might sound to you like you are going way too slow, but when we are nervous we go way to fast. Also practice projecting your voice, speak loud. If you are a shy type person it may always be hard for you to give speeches. Personally, I don't think it is fair that shy people should have to speak in front of groups. If you are going to talk about a person in the class, pick the one you know the most about incase you draw a blank in your speech you can search your mind for something to fill in. Practice in front of your family or friends or as many times as you can. Good luck. And you can always look at the back wall or the clock on the back wall.

Answer 3

Do you have friends in this class? If so, make a prior arrangement with a friend that he or she will hold a straight face, and look at you while you speak. While you're in front of everyone, you need to give your audience eye contact...it will be much easier on you to scan the room, and return to "speaking directly to" your friend...try to make it a conversation just between the two of you. Also, plenty of practice ahead of time will help. Try video taping yourself so you can work out any little quirks you may find that you have, lol. Practice makes perfect! And anytime you know your material, and know without a doubt that you've got it down, you're always going to feel more comfortable speaking to others. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Breathe deeply. Remember that more than likely the only person who know the information your are presenting is the person you are speaking about. Slow down and speak distinctly - this gives you time to think about what you are going to say and allows you to talk at a rate of speed that your audience will understand. Smile through it all.

Answer 5

- dont chew gum
- dont move around a lot
- dont mess around with your hands/ tug on your pants
- try looking past people instead of at them
- practice speaking to yourself in a mirror, its funny how "scared of yourself" you can be
- really know what you're going to say, making stuff up when public speaking freaks you out is a bad idea
- speak slowly and articulate
- pretend youre reading to little kids in a hospital... it might sound weird but it'll give you a happy content feeling inside...

hope that helps

Answer 6

this is from the movie "maid in Manhattan"... hold a paperclip in one hand, and play with it... bend it, twist it, whatever.... just hold it behind your back or at your side where people cant see it... it will draw all your nerouvs energy, then you wont fidget other ways

Answer 7

Imagine audience wearing German helmets.

Answer 8

be sure of what you are saying, do not hesitate, do not swing from side to side, do not put your hands in your pocket, and most of all believe in yourself :)