If you have to speak in front of a group as a school assignment, carefully review the rubric and guidelines to ensure that your speech meets all of the requirements.
Talk to various audience members beforehand to get an idea of what’s important to them and why they’re attending your speaking engagement. For instance, giving a speech to a group of middle schoolers may require simpler language and more humor, while speaking in front of a military audience might require more decorum.
Remember why you’re speaking about this topic and make sure all parts of your speech focus on your overall goal or call to action. A really engaging opening, or hook, is key. Share a story, statistic, or fact that will grab your audience’s attention and make them want to learn more. Present your main points in a logical order so the audience can follow your argument. Use transitions to guide your listeners to the next idea. End your speech with a provocative anecdote, fact, or call to action so that your audience continues to mull over what you said even after your speaking engagement is over.
Generally, a 5-minute speech contains around 750 words while a 20-minute speech might have between 2,500 and 3,000 words.
Don’t always rehearse from the beginning of your speech. Try starting at various places so you memorize each point independent of one another. That way, if you get sidetracked or lose your place, you’ll be familiar with picking up your speech in the middle. You can practice your speech in front of a mirror, in the car, or while you’re gardening, shooting hoops, cleaning, shopping, or doing nearly anything else. This can help you memorize it better and give you ample time to rehearse.
Be sure to create a contingency plan in case your technology fails! Be prepared to give your speech without the visual components, if necessary.
This also allows you to plan your route ahead of time so you know how long it will take you to get to the venue on the day of the event.
In most cases, well-fitting slacks and a button-down shirt are appropriate for speaking engagements. Alternatively, you could wear a suit and tie or a pencil skirt and a blazer. Ensure your clothes are clean and free of wrinkles.
Turn that adrenaline into passion to help you demonstrate to your audience why what you have to say is important. Visualizing yourself delivering a successful speech can actually help you perform better, so spend a few minutes imagining things going well.
You may even want to exercise the morning of your speech to help diffuse your nervousness and excess energy.
Avoid taking quick, shallow breaths, as this can lead to hyperventilation.
While it’s commonly suggested to picture the audience in their underwear, this may make you even more nervous or uncomfortable. However, if you think it’ll help you feel less anxious or intimidated, by all means, go ahead.
If you want to get really technical, aim to speak 190 words per minute when delivering a speech.
Say a few tongue-twisters before your speech to warm up. For instance, repeat “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” or “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. "
If you’re too scared to make eye contact, look at a point just above the audience member’s heads. Avoid looking up at the ceiling or down at the floor, though.
Show emotion to help the audience relate to you. Just avoid going overboard or getting so worked up that you can’t carry on. Aim to find a balance between professional and passionate.
No one is perfect, so you shouldn’t expect your speech to be perfect, either! Just be yourself.
