Public Speaking
Class Goals
1. Speak clearly
a. Pronounce every syllable
b. Do not mumble
c. Speak loud enough for everyone to hear and understand you
d. Speak at a pace in which everyone can understand you – not too quickly or too slowly
2. Engage the audience
a. Maintain eye contact
b. Vary facial expressions to convey meaning
c. Use pauses effectively
d. Vary tone of voice to convey meaning
e. Ask questions
f. Make references your audience will understand and appreciate
g. Effectively use speech techniques (such as repetition, comparisons, etc.)
h. Be open minded and realize the audience may not agree with you, but their ideas are relevant
3. Express ideas clearly
a. Choose the best words to express your ideas
b. Do not user filler words, such as “um,” “uh,” and “like”
4. Listen to others
a. Make eye contact
b. Interact with speaker
c. Ask questions
d. Avoid distractions such as cell phones, headphones, food, talking to someone else, etc.
5. Gain confidence
a. Realize speeches and speakers are never perfect
b. Believe what you have to say is important
c. Realize the speech is more about the audience than it is about you
d. Realize that good speakers work very hard to become good
e. Do not apologize for being a “bad speaker” or for not preparing
6. Prepare/practice for speeches
a. Stand up
b. Read/recite speech out loud
c. Practice skills we learn in class
d. Keep doing this until it feels very natural to you
7. Use body language effectively
a. Keep hands out of pockets
b. Use hand gestures in a meaningful and natural way
c. Refrain from fidgeting, swaying, and pacing
8. Have a professional appearance
a. Avoid wearing jeans, sweats, and t-shirts
b. Avoid wearing baggy or torn clothing
c. Keep hair out of your face
d. Do not chew gum
e. Wear clean, comfortable shoes (avoid tennis shoes)