Speaking in Public

Public Speaking and (formal) Conversation:

Similarities and Differences
Similarities Differences
• Organising thoughts • Organising thoughts
logically, Structuring,
• Tailoring the message Practising
to the audience • Visualising, researching
audience , Customising
• Telling a story for
• Wanting to be heard,
maximum impact
building confidence,
delivering for impact
• Adapting to
listener feedback • Adapting to audience’s
Body Language
 Stage Fright: Fear of Public Speaking

Anxiety over the prospect

of giving a speech in front
of an audience…

• People’s Biggest Fear

• Death Ranks Third
Behind Public Speaking &
Snakes
 What Causes Stage Fright?
• inadequate preparation
• fear of being judged
• unfamiliarity with the audience
or the environment
• lack of knowledge about public speaking
• feelings of inadequacy
• fear of the unknown
• negative past experiences
 Positives of Anxiety !

• It is normal.
• It is mostly internal.
• It can help–
by creating a heightened state of
readiness, allowing you to perform
better than you might otherwise.
• And, finally, it can be managed;
you can deal with it and deliver a
successful speech in spite of it.
 Managing Anxiety !

 make sure to control what we can;

 do not try to control the things

that you can not control;

 know the difference between the two.

 Make sure to control what we can

• Define Purpose:

» to communicate a sentiment
» to argue
» to persuade
» to inform or instruct
• Know- and respect- your Audience:
Find out beforehand all you can about your audience
as also venue, facilities, time available, etc.
 Make sure to control what we can… (contd)

• Organise Content
• Build Recall & Structuring
 Methods

(A) The Four Line Method (Fiction/ Non-fiction)

1. Protagonist(s) and Desire/Dilemma

2. Premise
3. Conflict: Desire vs. Danger
4. Resolution
Make sure to control what we can… (contd)

(B) PREP formula (non-fiction)

P
Purpose, Problem, Proposition,
Proposal, Point….
R
Route (sign posting), Reasons,
Rationale,Realisation …
E
Examples, Elaboration, Evaluation…
P
Purpose, Problem, Proposition,
Proposal, Point….
 Structuring the Speech

1. Beginning: Connecting & Attracting

(1/4th of the available time)
 Opening: Interesting & Related Anecdote, Stat or
News, Joke, Quotation
 Stating topic: Clearly defining the topic

 Road Mapping: Highlighting Key Points

2. Middle: Chronological Elaboration of Key Points

(Half of the available time)

3. End: Leaving an Impact

(1/4th of the available time)
 Revisiting or Reviewing Key Points
 Closing Remarks
 Gaining Confidence
1. Visualising Success:
A process of mentally seeing oneself give a successful speech

 2. Destressing (Smile !!)

 Admit and Share Nervousness:
Shows less than you think; Gets audience onside
 Stress-Control Breathing
• Inhale air & let abdomen go out. Exhale air & let abdomen go in
As you inhale, use a soothing word such as calm or relax
• Start speaking at the Crest of Breath-wave:
Inhalation CREST Exhalation Trough Inhalation

3. Listening & Responding

Listen to the audience’s body language-with your eyes; Let it
not distract you; Respond positively; Intervene if necessary
 Gaining Confidence
3. Understanding Your Body
- Using Natural Gestures
- Putting pressure on feet to feel the ground
- Getting freedom to move around

4. Reaching Out
- Maintaining Eye Contact with audience
- Carrying conviction to the audience
;

- Treating audience with respect- gratefulness for their time;

Empowering them and thereby empowering self;
Not judging and being ready to be judged
- Enjoying the experience
- Being courteous, polite and politically correct
 Prepare…Practice…Pause…Pamper
1. Prepare…
Research (Subject/Audience); Organise Material;
Familiarise with equipment & venue; Have a plan B;
Confirm your responsibility- length, format…
2. Practice…
Read aloud as you write; Make cue-cards;
Practice with tape recorder, mirror and trusted friends;
NEVER LEARN SPEECH BY HEART !
3. Pause
Reflect, repeat and rewrite if : Tongue-twisted? Out of breath?
Knees knocking? Test audience confused? Monotone?
3. Pamper
Check material & have a good night’s sleep; check venue; spend
last one hour with friends who make you laugh;…visit restroom!
 Prepare…Practice…Pause…Pamper
Prepare…
Research (Subject/Audience); Organise Material;
Familiarise with equipment & venue; Have a plan B;
Confirm your responsibility- length, format…
2. Practice…
Read aloud as you write; Make cue-cards;
Practice with tape recorder, mirror and trusted friends;
NEVER LEARN SPEECH BY HEART !
3. Pause
Reflect, repeat and rewrite if : Tongue-twisted? Out of breath?
Knees knocking? Test audience confused? Monotone?
3. Pamper
Check material & have a good night’s sleep; check venue; spend
last one hour with friends who make you laugh;…visit restroom!