Public Speaking Tips for Students
We may not all be good orators. However, our limitation is often in the mind. With practice and a change in attitude, we can improve and even perfect our public speaking skills.
One major hurdle that students face during public speaking is anxiety. It's okay to be anxious, but it shouldn't limit you from giving a great discourse. Sometimes, lack of preparation leads to anxiety. When you become anxious, you are more likely to mix up your points and confuse your listeners. Therefore, you must organize your thoughts and points before taking up your next public speaking task.
If you have doubts about your public speaking skills, don't fret. We've curated the following top tips for perfecting your next presentation.
Research on the Topic
Before getting on stage to give your presentation, it is essential to extensively research the topic on which you will be delivering a speech. Conducting good research gives you more confidence since you will be aware of every discussion point. Additionally, having your facts right gives your presentation more credibility and makes it more attractive to your audience.
So, once you’re aware of your topic, start your research immediately to avoid a last-minute rush, which can make your presentation look and feel disorganized.
Prepare Your Key Points
Before getting on stage, note the primary points that will pass your message to the audience. Preparing your key points helps give the presentation a great flow. Lack of preparation might result in skipping through the facts, leaving listeners confused and needing clarification.
When preparing, put the primary points first. The minor ones should come later but should still be arranged appropriately. Being organized this way will boost your confidence as you know what you’re about to discuss.
Add Images
One common thing about writing great essays and delivering a great oration is grabbing the audience's attention. You may be wondering, "Who should I hire to write my essays for me and make them memorable?" Well, you can also do it yourself by mastering the art of keeping readers captivated.
In public speaking, using images to break down the information in your slides is an effective approach for grabbing the listeners' attention. Diagrams or pictures make the discussion more interesting, keeping the audience hooked. However, they have to be relevant. For instance, you can use pie charts or graphs to simplify complex information.
The significant achievement of a presentation is if the audience can remember what your presentation was about long after the session. You can use various images depending on the emotions you want to evoke from the listeners.
Work on Your Body Language
Before getting on stage, you can conduct a dry run with your friends or colleagues as the audience. During this session, they can analyze your body language and suggest how to achieve better body positions that will make you appear more relaxed. For example, gestures such as raising your shoulders can indicate that you are tense.
Hand placements can also tell your audience about your confidence and preparation. For example, placing your hands in your pocket can signify anxiety. Instead, you can put your hands on your side at the beginning and then use relevant gestures to emphasize your points.
Eye contact is another body language that can speak volumes about your presentation. Try maintaining eye contact with your listeners instead of looking at your presentation material. Maintaining eye contact will help you read the room, and you can know how to proceed and impress your listeners.
Control Your Breath and Voice
Public speaking comes with a lot of tension, especially if you are presenting to an audience that you are not familiar with. Most people find themselves rushing through their talk without knowing it. You should learn to listen to yourself since it is the best way to gain a good pace.
Additionally, learning to control your breath will help you take necessary breaks between the discourse without wasting time. Most orations are time-bound. Thus, the fear of failing to deliver all your points within the stipulated time can make you rush through the presentation. For a better flow, take five deep breaths between your key points, especially when you’re starting to feel anxious.
Watch Videos of Great Orators
Finding a blueprint will help you navigate your presentation better. There are several public speaking videos you can watch online, from TED talks to prominent individuals who were great orators.
When watching the videos, pay attention to their body movements and how they pace themselves. Something as simple as how many pauses they take between their key points can go a long way in helping you catch your breath in your presentation.
In addition, look at their poise and how they command the room, and try to practice it while including your cue. Good public speakers also know how to incorporate humor and anecdotes in their speeches. So, watch and learn how they incorporate these elements in the right place to make it easy for the audience to follow through with the discourse.
Winding Up
Public speaking is a skill developed over time with practice and extensive research. Addressing a crowd takes work. You should prepare adequately before delivering your oration.
Some of the best ways to become a great public speaker are acknowledging your audience, pacing yourself, observing proper body language, and incorporating visual aids into your presentation.
It is also great to acknowledge that becoming a great public speaker is a process. Thus, you should be more patient with yourself. You can improve your skills while in school and practice with every presentation you give in class.
