This document provides guidance on public speaking. It discusses different types of speeches, managing stage fright through managing stress and anxiety, choosing a topic and developing an outline, effective delivery through vocal tone, body language, and presentation aids, and tips for speaking confidently. The key aspects covered are the types of speeches, managing physical and psychological effects of stage fright, choosing a topic you're passionate about, maintaining eye contact and gestures, and practicing with any presentation aids.

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Public Speaking
By Rodeena Stephens

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“By Failing to Prepare, You are
Preparing to Fail.”
– Benjamin Franklin

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Presenting a Speech Confidently
and Competently
Styles of Speech
Impromptu – On the spot
Extemporaneous – Carefully prepared
and sound as if they are spontaneous
Scripted – Composed word-for-word
then read aloud
Memorized – Composed word-for-word
then delivered from memory

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Managing Stage Fright
Stage Fright is a form of stress
Stress is the body’s reaction to any type of
perceived threat
Psychological effects
Public speaking anxiety
Physical effects
Increased heart rate
Elevated stress hormones
Elevated blood pressure

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Stress Levels Vary
Physical effects of stress are part of the
body’s “fight-or-flight response,” a
reaction that helps prepare the body either
to confront the stressor (through a fight) or
to avoid it (through flight).
Psychological anxiety, stress varies from
person to person in the level experienced
when speaking in public

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Managing Stage Fright
Stage fright is a form of stress. Physical
aspects effected by stage fright include:
Voice
Mouth and throat
Facial expression
General movement
Verbal behavior

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Accept stage fright as normal
Focus your nervous energy – Train yourself to
focus nervous energy on the goal of giving the
best speech possible rather than letting it distract
you.
Stay positive – Approach the delivery of your
speech with a positive, optimistic attitude.
Managing Stage Fright

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Managing Stage Fright
Visualize a successful performance –
Imagine yourself delivering an expert speech
Self-fulfilling prophecy – a situation in which
expectation prompts you to act &
communicate in ways that make that
expectation come true
Desensitize yourself – The more you
practice speaking in front of people, the less
frightening public speaking will become

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Managing Stage Fright
Less anxious when speaking about
a topic you understand well.
Take command of your topic
Choose a topic you’re passionate
about

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Understand Your Purpose
To Introduce
To Inform
To Persuade
To Give Honor
To Entertain

11. + Choosing a Topic
 Choosing/Narrowing Your Topic
 Researching Your Topic
 Organizing Your Speech
 Developing a Formal Outline
 Purpose
 Thesis
 Preview
 Introduction
 Body
 Main Point 1, Transition, Main Point 2, Transition,
Main Point 3, Transition
 Conclusion

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Effective Delivery
Visual elements of delivery
Facial Expressions
Eye Contact
Posture and Body Position
Gestures
Personal Appearance

13. + Effective Delivery
Facial expressions
Should match the tone of your voice
Should vary over the course of your speech
Eye Contact
Avoiding eye contact with your audience is a
response to fear that makes you feel hidden and
protected
Maintain eye contact with your audience –
imagine carrying a one-on-one conversation with
someone who never looks you in the eye. They
seem dishonest
Don’t stare – look at one person for a few
seconds, move on to next, etc.

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Effective Delivery
Posture and body position
Keep your back straight, head held up,
shoulders square – this posture makes your
appear strong
Face your listeners
You have the option of walking around the
room during your speech – if you do this,
movements should appear casual but
deliberate. A particularly good time to move
in your speech is during transitions within
your speech

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Effective Delivery
Gestures – Most of us gesture
naturally when conversing with others
Spontaneous, appropriate in number
(too many gestures can distract an
audience)
Appropriate in size for your proximity to the
audience (if audience is close to you, use
gestures similar to those you would use in
face-to-face conversation

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Effective Delivery
Personal Appearance
Appearance should be appropriate for your
audience and for the occasion for which you
are speaking.
The more your personal appearance reflects
theirs, the more your audience will perceive you
as similar to them
 Jewelry/accessories should complement your
clothing

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Effective Delivery
Vocal elements affect delivery
 Rate of speech – The speed at which you speak
 Volume – The loudness or softness of your voice
 Pitch – Measure of how high or how low the voice
is. Some voices have a naturally high pitch, others
have a medium pitch
 Articulation – The extent to which the speaker
pronounces words clearly. Enunciates each word
clearly and correctly
 Fluency – The smoothness of delivery.
 Uninterrupted flow of words and phrases

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Using Presentation Aids
Choosing and using
presentation aids
 Remember your goal
 Consider your context
 Size and arrangement of room
 Time available for speech
 Resources available
 Strive for simplicity
 Be ethical
 Practice with your presentation aids
 Have a backup plan

19. + REMEMBER!
Plan
Prepare
Practice
Deliver
Have Fun! Enjoy the Moment!
Speak with Confidence!
Smile!