I’d be worried about public speaking, too, if I were the Speaker for the Dead.
They get nasty when misrepresented.
Ginger
I would agree with Little Nemo about starting with a joke. Be yourself. If you’re the type of person who normally can joke and ad lib, it may work, but if you’re not, finding a joke from some speaker’s book may not get you very far, and could bomb.
As well, one of the most important things is confidence - which rules out self-mockery, which is what most jokes about public speaking involve. If you don’t think you’re very good, why should people listen to you and take you seriously?
I don’t like the idea of a hand in the pocket. I don’t think it looks good - makes you look off-centre and a tad informal. If you’ve got a lectern, that’s the best place for your hands - grip the sides, but don’t lean forward. It’s awkward body posture. When I’m in court, I keep my hands on the lectern or on the table.
Some people take a pencil or pen to keep them from waving their hands too much - but then just replace it with pen fidgeting. Best to learn to control your hands. Some gestures are okay, but don’t go overboard.
If you’ve got time limits and there’s no clock easily visible from your speaking spot, take your watch off your wrist before you go up, and unobtrusively put it on the lectern. You want to pace yourself, but you definitely don’t want to be seen looking at the time (If only George Bush Sr. had taken my advice. :() I have a pocket watch I use for major, long court appearences.
Preparation and practice. The more you know your stuff and are prepared to talk about it, the more confident you feel, and the more confidence you project. After practicing for a while with your notes, try it cold without them. After all, you might drop them on the way up. (There - I’ve given you something else to worry about :eek: )
What I do is write out the entire speech, word for word, as I’d like to deliver it.
I read it to myself a few times.
Then, I write the main sentence from each paragraph, or point down on an individual note card. Sometimes I’ll write the first and last sentence.
Then I practice the speech once or twice in my head, not trying to go word for word or anything, just trying to follow the main points in order. As I hit each of the main points I flip the card over. That way if I ever get lost, I can just look at the card and know where I am, though I typically won’t refer to them while speaking.
Speak slowly, and don’t be afraid to use your hands. Big gestures are cool. Pick 3 or four different spots on the stage and near the podium, and as you speak move to each of the spots. Time your moves so that they come after key points.
Look for friendly and/or attractive faces in the audience. Make eye contact, and speak directly to them. They may respond to you facially, by nodding. Their motion will make other people think you are saying something interesting and pay attention and nod along as well. The positive feedback this provides can’t be overstressed.
Do something out of sequence, or a little scary. I likee to sit a big glass of water on the podium, and as I talk and make sweeping gestures, I come within inches of sending it flying. This always makes people pay attention.
If you’ve ever seen those snap & pop toys, there also great fun as well.
Say something like “A few minutes into a specch peoples attention start to wander. It’s important to do something to make them focus on you and get their attention back.” Then throw the snap & pop on the floor. BANG!
One of those party bottles that shoots confetti with a bang would work as well.
Finally, don’t drink a lot of liquids before you speak. Don’t go the bathroom for ten minutes or so, and if you’re prone to the gallant reflex at odd times, you may want to take action (So to speak) to ensure that it doesn’t embarass you while you’re on stage. There’s nothing worse than trying to speak to a group of people when you have a raging boner. I’m dead serious about this.
Speaker’s not the only one takin’ notes here. This is some great stuff.
I just wanted to comment, Speaker, that you’re only giving a 5-minute speech. That really isn’t very long. To see for yourself, print the first couple pages of this thread, set your timer, and read this as if it was your speech. Five minutes goes real fast, although it may not seem like it.
Otherwise, I’ve heard some of these tips before from people who seem to know what they’re talking about – especially the three things / repeat a lot tip. I remember being trained in the basics of selling bread for Flowers Baking Co. and being trapped in a room with other trainees for a week being lectured on the finer points of the subject. The speaker was very good and he repeated things so often I was ready to sign a confession for the North Koreans. But I still remember a lot of what he said a decade later. Repetition is key.
I was told once to imagine the audience naked. The one time I tried this, I burst out laughing. Luckily, I wasn’t actually up to the podium yet.