Maybe you are confused and feel pressured when you are asked to prepare speech material and give a speech in front of an audience for the first time. Do not worry! You can make a good speech if you apply the following guidelines.
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Part 1 of 5: Considering Some Important Aspects
Step 1. Decide on the topic you want to discuss
Focus the speech material on a specific topic, instead of discussing several issues. Just like writing an essay, the material presented should explain the main idea.
Step 2. Find out the background of the audience
Will you give a speech in front of children or adults? Does the audience not understand or have mastered the topic of the speech? You can make a good speech if you know a lot about your audience.
Step 3. Determine the purpose of the speech
In order to give a good speech, answer the following questions: do you want to make your audience laugh, motivate your audience, or advise your audience to change their behavior? These questions help you structure your speech material and deliver your speech with the right intonation and words.
Step 4. Consider the situation in which you are giving a speech
Are you giving a speech in front of a small group or a large group of people? If the audience is small, give them the opportunity to ask questions so you can interact with them. If you have to speak in front of a large number of people, arrange the material to be delivered one-way and the audience may ask questions after you've finished your speech.
If the audience is not too large, you can compile material with more detailed information if several people seem to have an interest in a particular subject or issue
Part 2 of 5: Composing Speech Material
Step 1. Use short sentences to formulate the title of the speech
Determine the title of the speech that is interesting so that you are able to grab the attention of the audience.
- Start crafting speech material by freewriting. Write down as quickly as possible everything that comes to mind about the subject of the speech. Don't judge your writing or want to compose perfect sentences. You can rearrange and tidy it up after writing down all the ideas that come up.
- Include an anecdote or quote. Sometimes, someone has already well defined the idea you want to convey. Use quotes to start your speech, but don't use slogans. Choose a quote that is unique and insightful. Don't forget to include the source.
- Think carefully about telling an anecdote to open your speech, unless you already know your audience well. Anecdotes that you find funny may not necessarily be funny to the audience, they may even offend.
Step 2. Prepare 3-5 supporting ideas to cover the topic of the speech
Formulate each idea using short, straightforward sentences.
- Take advantage of commonly used sources, such as encyclopedias or Wikipedia as references, but you must verify facts or data using official sources according to the subject being discussed.
- Share personal experiences. If you've been working on the subject for a long time, personal knowledge and experience can be a very useful source of information, but keep it brief to keep you focused and your audience listening.
Step 3. Decide how to prepare speech material
You can write the full material or just outline the material using index cards.
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Consider how deeply you understand the topic of the speech. Use index cards if you have a good grasp of the topic of speech and are able to improvise.
- Use the first card to deliver the introduction. This card contains the sentence to start the speech.
- Use 1 or 2 cards to write down supporting ideas. Then, use 1 sheet of card to write a conclusion that aligns with the main idea of the speech.
- Write fragments of sentences or keywords on the card. Choose a word or fragment of a sentence that reminds you of important information that must be conveyed.
- If you lack confidence or don't know what your speech is about, write down all the words you want to say during your speech.
Step 4. Prepare visual materials if needed
The decision to use visual materials depends on the size of the audience and the duration of the speech. For example, a long speech is easier to listen to if it is interspersed with visual material in the form of photos, charts, or printed graphics that are distributed to the audience. Also, you can view the slides using Prezi or PowerPoint.
- Prepare a minimum of visual material as a means of support, rather than dominating the speech. Make sure you can still make a speech in case of technical problems.
- Choose large letters so that the writing can be read. Letters that are too large are still better than unreadable writing.
- Check the facilities in the room that will be used for the speech. If you need internet or a projector screen, make sure they are ready to use when you give your speech. Arrive early to ensure all facilities at the speech venue are functioning properly.
Step 5. Prepare printed materials to share with your audience if you want to present detailed data
This way, you can focus on explaining the main idea as best as you can because the audience has already received written data as a reference so they can keep listening to the speech.
Step 6. Prepare a short biography to introduce yourself
Before giving your speech, introduce yourself to your audience by sharing your educational background and work experience to make you feel more comfortable. Instead of bragging, let your audience get to know you. In addition to introducing yourself, take this opportunity to explain the rules during your speech.
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If it's the organizer who introduced you to the audience, give them that information before you both appear in front of the audience.
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Part 3 of 5: Practice Speaking
Step 1. Set the timer
Find out how long it takes to make a speech. If the prepared material does not match the duration, you can reduce or increase the material. If possible, count the time for a question and answer session.
Step 2. Practice delivering a speech to a friend or in front of a mirror
Instead of continuing to read notes, keep your eyes on the audience. Use visuals when practicing to get used to the speech running smoothly.
If you regularly use the vehicle when traveling, take the time during the trip to memorize speech material, but don't drive while reading
Step 3. Speak at a slow tempo and with clear articulation
Pause before discussing the next idea so the audience can understand the information you just conveyed.
Step 4. Mark the material that has been discussed with a pencil or pen
If there are words or sentences that feel strange when spoken, replace them with other words or change the sentence structure to sound more natural.
Step 5. Make a video recording
Record as you practice your speech. Pay attention to your appearance, body language, and the way you make your speech while watching the footage.
- Deliver your speech in a natural, less intense gesture, but don't stand still with your arms crossed at your sides or your hands on the podium.
- If a friend or colleague who is helping you practice provides constructive criticism, welcome the feedback. Make sure they understand the topic or industry area being discussed in order to provide useful critique.
Step 6. Practice a few times
You will feel more confident when giving a speech in front of an audience if you have time to practice a few times.
Part 4 of 5: Preparing Yourself Before Your Speech
Step 1. Wear appropriate attire for the speech
If you want to look professional, wear formal clothes for business activities. Choose a color that makes you look more attractive. Don't overdo the accessories.
Step 2. Make sure everything you need is in the bag
Bring visuals, a tablet or laptop, and photocopies of speech materials.
Step 3. Perform audio check
If you're giving a speech in a small room, have someone stand behind the back of the bench to make sure they can hear your voice. If the room is large enough, practice using a microphone so that your voice is neither too low nor too loud and distortion-free.
Arrive early ahead of the audience. Set aside time to make sure the audio equipment is working properly and deliver visual material. If you are speaking at a conference, set aside 15-20 minutes to prepare. Arrive 1 hour before the event starts if you are the only speaker
Step 4. Arrange the necessary tools, materials, and equipment
Make sure the computer, projector screen, and whiteboard are functioning properly and are visible from the audience seating.
Step 5. Decide how to deliver the material to the audience
Materials may be placed on the table for each participant to pick up or distributed as they arrive.
Step 6. Ask the committee to provide drinking water
If the duration of the speech is long enough, you will need drinking water to moisten your throat.
Step 7. Take a moment to reflect before appearing on the podium
Check the front and back of the shirt. Make sure your hair is neat and makeup (if needed) isn't messy.
Part 5 of 5: Addressing an Audience
Step 1. Cast a glance across the audience
Do not focus your eyes only on certain people or areas.
- Make eye contact with the audience. If you feel awkward making eye contact, aim your gaze over the top of the audience's head while staring at a distant object, such as a clock or painting. Make sure you're looking at the audience on both sides of the room. Don't just look right or left.
- Glance at everyone in the room so they feel included when you make your speech.
Step 2. Speak at a slow pace and breathe calmly
When standing in front of an audience, adrenaline can sometimes make you talk too fast. Don't forget to smile confidently.
Step 3. Laugh when speech falters
If you forget what to say, don't say thank you right away and then leave the podium. Your audience still respects you and they believe that you master the subject being discussed.
Don't leave the podium if a problem occurs even if you feel embarrassed. Take this opportunity to be humorous, read material notes or index cards, then continue your speech
Step 4. Before ending the speech, interact with the audience
In addition to providing an opportunity to ask questions, you can complete material that has been forgotten and/or has not been discussed. Say thank you with a smile, nod your head or bow if necessary.
Allocate time for a question and answer session in the speech schedule so you can set the flow of the discussion. After the final question, say to the audience, "Right now, I'd like to share a thought with you" and then deliver a memorable closing remark
Tips
- Once you start your speech, activate your glutes. Robin Kermode, public speaker and author of the book says that these tips can help reduce anxiety.
- Make sure your voice is loud and clear. Don't feel inferior. This step is useful for increasing self-confidence.
- Avoid anxiety and stress by choosing a topic that you are good at.
- Speak with confidence and believe what you say.
- Prepare a short speech according to the specified time duration. A speech is better to end a little early than too long.
- Take a deep breath or pause every time you say a sentence. This method keeps the audience listening.
- If you want to read a document while giving a speech, print it in large, clear letters. Load documents in a folder that provides a plastic sheet so that you only have to turn the documents in a row or load 2 documents side by side. Place the document you want to discuss on the left and the next document on the right. Make sure you move the documents that have been discussed so that the documents you want to discuss are in the top position so you don't get confused looking for them. Don't forget to look at your audience every now and then to keep them feeling engaged.
- Speak out loud. For example, imagine you are talking to the person sitting in the back while making sure he or she can hear your voice.
- Don't feel pressured because the audience will listen politely so you can concentrate during your speech.
