Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Facilitated by Terry A. Proctor
University of Kansas
Department of Human Resources
During This Session We Will
• Define public speaking
• Address some of the fears people have about
speaking in public
• Identify some tips for more effective
presentations
• Listen to some great speakers!
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
“The mind is a wonderful thing. It starts
working the minute you are born and never
stops until you get up to speak in public”
Roscoe Drummond
Definition of PUBLIC SPEAKING
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
1: the act or process of making speeches in
public
2: the art of effective oral communication
with an audience
Public Speaking in Every Day Use
• Workplace
– Persuading others to adopt your ideas
– Reporting out to your department
– Educating your co-workers
• Private life
– PTA meetings
– Appearing before your city counsel
– Toasting the new bride and groom
Public Speaking Among Many Fears
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Snakes
Public Speaking
Heights
Darkness
Claustrophobia
Spiders/Insects
Needles and Shots
Deep water
Flying
Death
Common Fears of Public Speaking
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Being judged harshly
Insecurities exposed
Perfectionism
Rejection anxiety
Failure
Humiliation
“Given the fear of public speaking, most
people at a funeral would rather be in
the casket than delivering the eulogy.”
Public Speakers Seek To:
• Educate
• Entertain
• Persuade
• Demonstrate
• Celebrate
• Inspire
• Tell a story
• Commemorate
In essence, to connect people across communities
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
• Memorable/elegant lines from public
speeches (can you finish the quote?)
“I have a…
dream”
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
• Memorable/elegant lines from public
speeches (can you finish the quote?)
“Ask not what your country can do for
you…
ask what you can do for your country.”
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
• Memorable/elegant lines from public
speeches (can you finish the quote?)
“That’s one small step for a man…
one giant leap for mankind”
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
• Memorable/elegant lines from public
speeches (can you finish the quote?)
“Four score and…
seven years ago...”
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Memorable lines but not so elegant
“What a waste it is to lose one’s mind. Or not to have a mind is being
very wasteful. How true that is.“ Dan Quayle, former VP
“If we do everything right, if we do it with absolute certainty, there’s
still a 30% chance we’re going to get it wrong.” Joe Biden, VP
"I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family."
G.W. Bush, POTUS
Lucy
Public Speaking Tips
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Pick a topic you like (if you have a choice!)
Spend time planning the event (audience, room, seating)
Prepare flow and content
PowerPoint (KISS)
Back up media/technology
Recovery when something goes wrong
Work to eliminate tics (verbal & non-verbal umkay?)
Lose the monotone
Practice, practice, practice
Dress appropriately
Watch your caffeine intake…drink water
Eye contact with as many people as possible
Use humor (be careful)
Start and end on time
Tame your anxiety.
Let’s Listen To Some Pro’s
Paul Harvey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3GtXAqhSgo
Let’s Listen To Some Pro’s
Maya Angelou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXymI8ZG2FU
Let’s Listen To Some Pro’s
John F Kennedy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxa4HDgfWFs
Let’s Listen To Some Pro’s
Martin Luther King Jr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q3fosthiFU
Where to go for more information
• Toastmasters International
www.toastmasters.org/
• TED Talks
ted.com/talks
• Ignite (5 minute speeches)
igniteshow.com
Final Words
• The most important word begins the phrase
“public speaking.”
• Plan, prepare, practice and present.
• Mitigate anxiety to the best of your ability.
• Remember-the audience wants you to
succeed!
Thank you for attending!
Public Speaking:
The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Facilitated by Terry A. Proctor
tproctor@ku.edu
University of Kansas
Department of Human Resources