i need help with public speaking?

Question

i have to present a persuasive essay in english class and i will be graded on HOW i present, not on the content. i absolutely hate public speaking, or speaking in front of large groups of people in general. im a quite person and i dont know how to raise my voice without having it sound like im screaming. and i start stuttering and get extremely nervous over the stupidest reasons. I have no idea how im going to present a speech in front of my whole class, let alone persuade them to do anything. nd my teacher scares the hell out of me. she will criticizes every thing you do. i need tips, help anything on how to get through being a good persuasive speaker without embarassing myself.

Answer 1

Many people who do a speech talk to fast...I guess just trying to get it over with! To be a good speaker, you should speak clearly and slowly while enunciating each word so your audience hears every word you are saying. Pauses between sentences and even between phrases are okay. Speaking on something you know well will help relieve some of your nervousness. You can be more persuasive if you are talking about something you really believe in. You don't have to be loud to be persuasive.

One method that many stutterers use is to pretend they are someone else like John Wayne or change the tone of their voice - don't know why it works, but it often does. If you put on a cowboy hat and act like you are John Wayne telling the reason you should wear spurs, the teacher might like the fact that you thought to use a prop and get into character to put your point across. I can't think of another example but you get the idea.

A cousin told me that he pretended he was talking to his parents trying to get them to let him use their car for a date as he realized how he changed his tone whenever he was trying to get something that he didn't think they would agree with. Whenever, he spoke before a group, he imagined his parents standing at the back of the room and that he was talking only to them. He forgot that there was anyone else in the room while he concentrated on his imaginary people that he was talking to. Maybe that trick will help you.

Whatever you do, don't ever think about what the teacher or anyone else thinks of you. It doesn't matter. If you can convince yourself that you are great and that other's opinion of your speach doesn't matter, you will do a good job. My favorite quote is Eleanor Roosevelt's "nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Good luck!
Bud

Answer 2

Speak about what you truly believe and the presentation will be a piece of cake. If you just pick something out that you believe someone will find interesting, it probably won't if you don't believe in the subject you are presenting.
I once gave a speech on capitol punishment and fudged it by looking into the audience and some smart *** (whom I thought was funny) stuck his tongue out at me just to see if I was looking at him. Well, I did and just lost it. Laughed and giggled the entire time I gave the presentation. But the content was so good, I still got an A. Still I would love to have the opportunity again to persuade my convictions on this matter.
So don't focus on the crowd and just remember they are probably more interested in what they are having for lunch than what you have to say. This will help ease you in giving your presentation. They are just people with problems worse than what you are worried about. Really!!! If you find yourself with a shaky voice get brave and know you believe in what you are saying weather they like it or not does not matter. Dress well, stand up straight, and you will find your voice. I did, after my fiasco, I knew I could brave any speech, And I have. I am pretty out spoken to this day. Controversy is a good thing, persuasion is even better.

Answer 3

Don't be nervous, try some simple mind tricks when your up there to make you feel more competent. For example, some people say to imagine your adience is in their underwear, or whatever. Keep in mind that your going to be talking to people, so make sure to look at them while you are presenting. Teachers love that, it means you are serious about the person getting what your saying.
Don't speak too fast, i know it can be nerve racking, but try to control how fast you speak, and speak up, pretending the person in the last row is very hard of hearing.
Okay, in review, your teacher is mostly looking for you to speak up so she can hear you in the back. Be confident and show it. Don't talk too fast., and last, but definetly not least, look at your adience while talking, it makes them feel special.
Hope i helped, and good luck!

Answer 4

Here are some of my tips:

-Practise at home first
-Go to bed early the night before
-Have three deep breath before you start, it helps to relax yourself
-Keep eye contact with your audience
-Keep smiling
-Speak clearly and slowly
-Do introduction and conclusion in your speech
-Ask audience questions to keep them interesting
-Use attractive visal aids: simple point-form Powerpoint presentation, handouts, samples or pictures. Make sure people can see clearly. If you have attractive visal aids, people usually look at them instead of you and you can speak easily. And the message can pass out effectively too. Good luck!