Tips for a Successful and Stress-Free Oral Presentation
For many people giving a speech causes them to turn tail and run or break
out in a cold sweat. They would rather die than walk up to a podium and talk. This
phenomenon is actually documented. When people are asked what their number one
fear is, an astounding majority say speaking before groups. Death comes in second.
Preparing for Delivery
1. Knowing your material is the first and most important step in preparing for an
oral presentation. You will have plenty of time to prepare your speech. It is
important to spend as much time as possible getting ready to speak. This means
creating and organizing any presentation visuals or cue cards with key
words/ideas/concepts indispensible to the presentation – if you choose to use
them- researching and developing your topic, and lots of practicing are a must.
2. Another way to practice is to practice aloud or in front of a mirror by yourself.
While you do not have the benefit of feedback, you will be better prepared for the
length of your presentation and if you have practiced enough, you’ll sound much
more natural and at ease during your real presentation.
3. There are several ways you can practice. If possible, take the opportunity to
practice in front of people (such as family and friends). This is probably the best
way to prepare because it helps you to get accustomed to speaking for real people.
You’ll get used to speaking with other people in the room and your practice audience
can give you useful feedback that may help you when you make your actual
presentation.
The Night Before
4. It is very important to try to get plenty of rest the night before you have to
give your speech. This is often difficult for the first-timer because nerves do not
allow for easy sleep.
5. Get active : doing some type of physical exercise or practicing your favorite
sport will use up some of your excess energy allowing you to sleep better the night
before your presentation. It is also a good stress reliever for most people.
6. At this point, you should take some time to revise the content of your
presentation. You might add some personal notes or cues at this time but you
should definitely not be in the preparation phase of your work.
The Day of the Presentation
7. If at all possible, try to eat a hearty breakfast. Many people are very nervous
before their time slot, especially if they are inexperienced, so make sure you have
eaten well the morning of your presentation.
8. Drink plenty of water and be sure to have a good supply handy during your
speech. Nerves can often make you feel as though you a have a dry mouth.
9. To overcome public speaking anxiety take long deep breaths and hold them in for
five seconds or more prior to delivering your speech. It controls accelerated heart
rhythm, loosens tight neck and shoulder muscles, delivers beneficial oxygen to the
brain increasing focus and ultimately reducing public speaking anxiety. Remember
to breathe during your speech; this will allow you to speak more slowly and
concentrate on your material.
10. It is important that you have a visual point of focus or an anchor (an object in
class, a picture on the wall, a friend or the teacher) that you can fixate on while
speaking, if you feel uncomfortable at first. It is also important to have direct eye
contact with a number of people in the audience, now and then glance at the whole
audience while speaking. Use your eye contact to make everyone in your audience
feel involved.
11. Avoid caffeine such as energy drinks and coffee before a presentation. Your
adrenaline is already working overtime.
12. Do not apologize for being nervous or making mistakes; people do not usually
notice you have made a slight error unless you point it out.
13. Most importantly, try to remember to have fun with your presentation and keep
a positive attitude. Speaking in public can be very stressful at first, but if you are
prepared, you’ll get over your nervousness.