(by Ramakrishna Reddy)

Chapter 1: Psychological Barriers

Public speaking is overwhelming; how can I understand it in simple terms? Did you know how the drive the first time you drove a car? You start off learning primary activities such as acceleration, braking, changing gears, and so on; in speaking, you learn primary activities such as content creation, eye contact, voice modulation, hand gestures, facial expressions, stance and so on. In order to make the drive interesting and enjoyable, you can equip your vehicle with stereo system, adjustable seats, etc; in speaking, you can tell stories, create humor and use visual aids. When driving, unless you know where you are going, you waste yours and your passengers' time; if you do not have a purpose in mind when you speak, you do the same.

Fear strikes me whenever I want to give a presentation; what should I do? Fear strikes everyone. You must start by accepting that the fear of public speaking is the fear of the unknown and fear of ridicule. Write down your questions/fears and examine them.

What will other people think if I make a mistake during my presentation? People respect you when you speak in front of an audience. People only think about you as much as you think they think of you. Two secrets: Speak as often as possible and at every given opportunity; take the time to reflect on every experience by asking what went right, what went wrong, and for suggestions on how to do it better next time.

Can I really sizzle on stage even though I don't have an eye-catching look? Yes.

Even though speaking comes naturally to me, do I still need to prepare my presentation? Yes. Do not assume that you need not prepare because you have notes; you have to be comfortable with your content. Your words must roll smoothly off your tongue.

Can I still give an effective presentation without a strong vocabulary? Using simple words that we speak in day-to-day conversations is the secret to a well-received presentation. Your audience will judge you based on the value of what you say, rather than the glamor of your words.

Chapter 2: Speech Creation

I know my topic but I feel stuck; what am I missing? Feeling stuck will stop you from taking action. What is the purpose of the presentation (general-purpose (inform, entertain, persuade or inspire), and specific)? A specific purpose should be clear, short and add value to your audience. It is very important to determine your specific purpose. A simple way to formulate your specific purpose is by knowing what you want your audience to feel, think or do after your presentation.

How do I start creating content for my presentation? Basic skeletal structure: an opening, context setting, key points, support points, application, summary, and conclusion.

How do I create a killer opening for my talk? The first 30/60 seconds of your presentation determines how well the rest of the presentation will go. Four keys for a killer opening:

  1. Start with a current observation about your surroundings and the occasion for which you are speaking.
  2. Start with a question.
  3. Start with a startling statistic.
  4. Start with a personal story or experience.

Some specific strategies: take a few seconds to scan your audience before uttering the opening words; do not start with fillers like "the weather is good" or "what a sunny day"; build trust, be open to your audience, by using open palms and a gentle voice to open up and start building trust; listen to your audience and acknowledge any response; be relaxed and comfortable; make them like you by not showing a know-it-all attitude; tone down the entertainment factor for a business presentation.

What is a context setting and how do I create one? Telling your audience what you are going to tell them; a promise you will eventually fulfill or a problem that you can solve during your speech. Specific steps:

  1. Context should be audience-focused; the audience should feel it is about them.
  2. Context should be clear and specific; the audience should be able to clearly understand your agenda.
  3. Go even further and add a specificity factor.

How do I select the key points for my presentation? Interview and audience analysis.

How do I support the key points of my presentation? Aristotle says that an effective speech has three key elements: ethos (the credibility of the speaker), logos (the reasoning behind the point), and pathos (the emotional attachment between the speaker and the audience). Use stories, statistics, facts, illustration (PowerPoint, Props, Writing board, Questions and facts).

How to create a compelling story? Stories have the ability to transfer emotions. Elements to a powerful story:

How do I best use transitions in my speech? Transitions maintain a smooth and clear flow between points in the speech. If the speech is a journey, transitions are the signboards. Transitions can be verbal, non-verbal (movement, pause, prompted gestures), or a combination of the two.

How can I have an effective summary? Do's and Don'ts for effective Q&A:

How do I create a memorable conclusion for my speech? Seven ideas to a memorable conclusion:

  1. Best Wishes Close
  2. Gratitude Close
  3. Answer Close -- if your presentation opens with a question, answer it
  4. Action Close -- call to action
  5. Dialogue Close
  6. Poem Close
  7. Circular Close -- bring the audience back to the starting point

How do I refine my speech content? Four tools to refine your content:

  1. Choose simple words with the fewest syllables
  2. Use active voice
  3. Repeat key phrases
  4. Use rhetorical devices (similes, metaphors, alliterations)

Chapter 3: Speech Delivery

I know my content very well, so do I really need to care about anything else? Yes; what are your miscommunications? Bad (nervous) habits?

How should I move during my presentation? Posture--straighten your back and head, broaden your shoulders, stand with firm footing. Movement--speakers should move only when they want to communicate an idea. Movement helps in the following areas:

How do I make effective eye contact? While practicing your speech, close your eyes. Imagine your audience in your mind. Divide into quadrants. Imagine talking to one person in the first quadrant, looking them in the eye, for 5 to 10 seconds. Move to the second quadrant: find a person, look them in the eye for 5 to 10 seconds. Third, fourth, repeat.

Is there a simple way to improve the quality of my voice? How to...

How do I use my hands during the presentation? Two forms of gestures: emphatic and non-emphatic. Emphatic gestures are gestures to emphasize any point. Non-emphatic gestures help you describe an object/character, prompt the audience or depict the scene. Practice gestures until you internalize or have your speech in muscle memory. Video-record your speech; observe your gestures. Be comfortable enough on stage that you don't need to gesture--not gesturing (keeping your hands to your side) can add impact to certain parts of your presentation. Learning to speak without any gesture is a great skill to master.

How to create correct facial expressions during the presentation? Facial expressions communicate a lot more than what you say verbally. Practice the content, then consciously allow the emotions to flow on your face.

Chapter 4: Preparation Steps

How can I create and maintain my connection with the audience? Tools for creating a connection:

Is there a particular strategy to ensure that the audience will continue to listen? If you are looking for just one strategy in particular that will ensure an audience will continue to listen to you, then, ENTERTAIN! If you entertain well, the audience can't stop loving you. Try self-deprecating humor; the audience will respect your more because you are ready to let your guard down and poke fun at yourself.

What is the final checkpoint, before I freeze my content? The most important part in your content preparation is the clarity of your presentation.

Can the venue affect my presentation? Yes, in various ways:

Can you give me the exact steps to practice my speech? Steps for practice:

Can you give me a strategy for not going blank on stage? If the speech is in muscle memory, then you will be excited and ready. You will not blank.

Chapter 5: Presentation Day Steps

How to dress for my presentation? Groom well.

Is there a checklist for the presentation day? Suggestions:

Before going to the venue:

After going to the venue:

What if my heart starts pounding, ears get heated and hands become cold, 10 minutes before the presentation? Steps to tackle last-minute anxiety:

How do I carry myself from seat to stage, once the anchor calls my name? Get up from your seat and spring to the stage; show enthusiasm because it is contagious. Wear a smile while you walk. As soon as you take position on stage, do not start off right away; instead, attract everyone's attention and create the connection before you start your speech. Stand and scan the audience for a good 4 to 5 seconds--your audience will stop doing other things and start focusing on you. Then begin.

How do I handle myself during the actual presentation? Be present. Be passionate. Be energetic.

How do I handle any unexpected problems during the actual presentation? Do not get flustered. Know that your audience will empathize if there is a problem and always want you to do well. Some example scenarios:

How do I carry myself off the stage after my presentation? After you say the last words, pause, smile, say goodbye internally, the audience will understand. Pass control to the anchor or MC. While you turn and walk off the stage, show genuine enthusiasm.

What should I do after the presentation? Reflect. Get audience feedback. Give your own feedback. Analyze your video.


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Last modified 02 October 2024