Speech-Giving 101
 

I'm taking a mass communications class this summer and I have my first speech tomorrow.
I'm not completely uncomfortable giving a speech but I don't have much practice at it. Any tips I can take away from here that might help me throughout this course?
My first speech is about myself for three minutes max and they're going to be taped.

Are you allowed to have notes or support? If so, I'd recommend going with an index card with an outline. Reading word-for-word hardly ever sound good, but 1 index card with a couple of words on it can really anchor you. You may not even end up looking at it.

Good luck!

yah, a brief outline is the way to go. dont want to read a speech off a paper word for word

also make sure you practice enough to not have a case of the uhmmms


and some more advance stuff you can work on would be to
make eye contact with people in the audience, but don't stare at one person, look at one person then move to someone else, repeat.
make sure your moving, but not pacing (unless your supposed to stand behind a podium)

Practice, practice, practice. And I always liked thinking, "if you need three minutes of material, have 5 minutes worth." The reason is, if you forget anything or talk faster than how you practiced, you now have a little extra to pad time. Best to write it as a 3 minute speech, but have other material ready, just in case.

My high school required every student give a speech in front of the entire student body at least once a year every year from sophomore year on as a part of their English class.

When giving speeches of that nature, it helped me to remember that no one really cared and that they didn't really want to be there. Hit the high points, tell a funny story or two and sit down. Relax and just tell everyone who you are and why you're as interesting as you are.

I will admit that I'd have a problem if I were in your class with the old "picturing people in their underwear" trick seeing as how I've seen pictures of you in your underwear. It would be too distracting.

Quoted for truth.

Wow, this is outstanding advice that is used everywhere from politics to courtrooms to stand-up comedy. It truly helps to have a rough outlay of what you need to cover, but if things start to get harried, or if your point is not coming across quite right, it can really save you in the end if you have something else to add to your overall speech. You can the best speech in the world written out and memorized word for word, but if it does not meet the time constraints, and you end up stalling for even 5 seconds, that can hurt so much worse than if you somehow related a completely off-topic point to your discussion.

Try, try again, and if you possibly can, see if you can find practice with Speech & Debate.
Have at it, and may it go smoothly. :surprised:

I like using language in the speech that's comfortable to me. I avoid antidisestablishmentarianism (I spelled it right the first time!) and the lot. I also find that speaking in front of friends is a fantastic way to prep, because it's easier to get constructive suggestions from them, especially if they've taken a similar course.

I'm sure you'll do just fine. Once most people get going, the butterflies dissipate.

My best practice advice is to practice in the shower. The fact that there's background noise and water in your mouth forces you to over-enunciate and, obviously, you can't bring notes in the shower so it helps with memorization. More important than having an exact speech memorized is to know the big topics that you want to hit and to maybe have one or two catch phrases that punctuate a particularly strong point.

Good luck, however you end up preparing. We're all sure you'll do fine.

I always practice in an accent, recently i've been doing a yorkshire farmer. I don't like the sound of my own voice, so having it in someone elses really helps to run things through. Plus you can always get a few laughs if you dip into it during the real thing.

Another important part of giving a speech is the nonverbal. Hands play part in the speech. Just having them at your sides or worse, in your pockets makes you look stiff and nervous. Use them to highlight important parts and add emphasis, or just to give the audience something to look at to keep them interested.

p.s. don't use air quotes.

One thing I like to do a few times just before I give the speech is to run through it in my mind, backwards. I find that it helps the material and the structure of the speech sink in a lot better than just repeating it over and over... plus it helps me calm down b/c it takes a bit of extra thought to organize it in reverse.

Agree!
 

This is important, and it's the reason I would avoid note cards that others have suggested having. You want your hands free to move, and you don't want to be fidgeting with a card in your hands.
For an hour long talk, you might need an outline or notes. Three minutes, just get up there and be yourself.

I tend to speak quickly, so I end up being finished way faster than I should be... so on all my note cards, it says SLOW DOWN really big across the top of each card.

If you twitch, speak quickly, or have other characteristics about yourself that you're aware of, put them on your note cards so you're mindful of them. Just make sure when you practice you never actually verbalize those little self-cues, or you may accidentally end up actually SAYING them out loud when it comes time to present the material. :)

Wow, I'm surprised no one has mentioned this! Dress appropriately for the speech. I hate when people who are supposedly giving a formal presentation show up in jeans. When asked to do peer reviews on student presentations, or real grading on presentations, I definitely mark down if the student/presenter is not dressed appropriately. You should be wearing business attire, especially if it's a taped speech for speech class. As dumb as it sounds, dressing up for a speech/presentation really works. It makes you feel more serious about what you're doing, plus it makes you look more serious to your audience, and your teacher.

Good advice, oh snowy one. That advice, by the way, also carries over into other facets of life as well. I damn well guarantee you, that you will be taken more seriously, if you are dressed appropriately.

Don't "speak" to the entire class. Pick out one person and speak to them for a few moments. Then move along and pick another person to speak to. Keep it moving, and maintain eye contact. Don't obsess with stumbling over your speech. If you do, you will. Just know what you want to say, then say it.

I find it interesting when learning about someone if they can share something personal/special to them with me. A photo, a drawing, something they've made, a souvenir from a special trip etc.. It really personalizes the speech and gives your audience a glimpse into who you are. It adds that special touch to make your speech memorable and unique from everyone else's.
Bear in mind though that the item would need to be a good size for the back row to see it, yet small enough to lug around and not be too distracting. Avoid passing it around while you speak, but perhaps make it available for them to take a closer look at afterward.

I wish you the best of luck with it, I know it can be nerve wracking. :)

Well I guess you would have failed me.
A bit of knowledge...I work from 8am - 11:55 in the mornings.
Class starts at 12 and I'm usually rushing to get my ass over there just to make it to class, let alone worrying about how I look.
I teach swim lessons all morning and then deal with class right after.
Usually I'm still wet from lessons and my makeup is washed off.
So oh well.
I talked to my discussion leader about it and she said it was alright.

Well I did my speech...without notecards
1 - Like
1- Ummm

I think I kept pretty decent eye contact with people and I tried not to look down too much.
So overall not too bad.
Some people had like 30 umms so considering I only had 1...not too shabby.
*pat on the back*

Congrads on doing well.
Tips for next time:
Be confident. How?
1) Know that you've earned the right to be there.
2) Know that you are the most knowledgable person in the room on the subject
3) Have fun with it.

Back to the proper attire thing, that was one of the top 3 most important "Things to do" when it came for preparing for a speech. At least thats what my prof. told us when I took a Public Speaking class.

Good job on doing so well btw!

Yes...now I'm going to be doing an informative speech.
Topic: Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption
I've already written a crazy long paper over it and I should be fine.

That's what has always helped me with speeches. Having more information then I know I'll need and knowing that information well. It has helped me to be more confident and comfortable when giving speeches.

First, people remember about 56% of how you look doing it, 38% of what you sound like and actually only about 7% of the content. Meaning, how you look and sound is much more important than the words you use. They forget most of that the minute you are done unless you're funny!

Here's a format to use:

- A one sentence subject statement
- A one or two sentence position statement that is your position on the subject
- 4-7 evidence points to support your position
- restate your position as a close

It's fairly easy to remember the nature of the evidence points. If that's the case, you can be more conversational.

i know this is late but good luck with the next one!

Yea next speech is on Wednesday guys...its an informative one 4-6 mins.
Subject for me: Horse Slaughtering for Human Consumption
Any pointers for this type of speech?

Correct me if I'm wrong but...

Yea I realize that back then...but I'm totally blanking now...