andrew markworthy
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,762
Lecturing and radio and TV talks are my daily work. There's no magic to it, and it really isn't especially difficult. *Anyone* can be at least proficient as a public speaker. All you need to do is address the problems you have. Amonst the commonest worries I've found my students have are shyness, worries about their voice or the content of their talks:
(1) If it's basic lack of self-confidence/shyness, then get that sorted out and *then* worry about public speaking. All you're doing in concentrating on public speaking is looking at a symptom not the cause.
(2) If you feel you have a weak voice, a few lessons in voice projection will sort that out. Trust me, unless you have terminal asthma, you can get your voice across a large hall if you know what you're doing.
(3) If you're worried that people won't listen to you or find you boring, then take a close look at what you're going to say - the problem may be in your material, not the speaking per se.
In most cases, the problem when it comes down to it is that a person is simply unsure what is required and they manifest this uncertainty as a conviction that they can't possible do public speaking. In which case, the following should help:
(1) Remember you don't have to appeal to win the audience's attention. In giving a talk, the audience at least at the start will be prepared to listen, and chances are that they will stay to the end out of good manners if nothing else.
(2) The cardinal rule is KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid. Cover the basic facts (though don't try to talk down to people) and don't give unecessary information. Use examples only when they give greater understanding of a point you're trying to make. If you are giving out information only provide the key points. If people want the extra details, give them a reading list.
(3) Never *ever* read out a talk from a script unless you are a head of state or government leader with a teleprompter. If you can't talk 'off the cuff' then rote learn your talk and take some cue words or phrases on a sheet that you can refer to. If you have a lot of talks to give, you'll find that after rote learning the first few, you'll gain the skill necessary to give a talk without much rehearsal.
(4) Don't do jokes. It's better to give a straightforward talk which imparts the information required than try to liven it up with jokes that then fall flat on their face. Only start injecting humour when you are absolutely confident about yourself and the audience.
(5) Don't rush through your talk. One of the cardinal signs of a newbie speaker is racing through the talk through nerves and/or a worry that they won't finish in time. Rehearse the talk beforehand, preferrably trying it out on some of your more patient friends, and find the pace that best suits you and the material.
(1) If it's basic lack of self-confidence/shyness, then get that sorted out and *then* worry about public speaking. All you're doing in concentrating on public speaking is looking at a symptom not the cause.
(2) If you feel you have a weak voice, a few lessons in voice projection will sort that out. Trust me, unless you have terminal asthma, you can get your voice across a large hall if you know what you're doing.
(3) If you're worried that people won't listen to you or find you boring, then take a close look at what you're going to say - the problem may be in your material, not the speaking per se.
In most cases, the problem when it comes down to it is that a person is simply unsure what is required and they manifest this uncertainty as a conviction that they can't possible do public speaking. In which case, the following should help:
(1) Remember you don't have to appeal to win the audience's attention. In giving a talk, the audience at least at the start will be prepared to listen, and chances are that they will stay to the end out of good manners if nothing else.
(2) The cardinal rule is KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid. Cover the basic facts (though don't try to talk down to people) and don't give unecessary information. Use examples only when they give greater understanding of a point you're trying to make. If you are giving out information only provide the key points. If people want the extra details, give them a reading list.
(3) Never *ever* read out a talk from a script unless you are a head of state or government leader with a teleprompter. If you can't talk 'off the cuff' then rote learn your talk and take some cue words or phrases on a sheet that you can refer to. If you have a lot of talks to give, you'll find that after rote learning the first few, you'll gain the skill necessary to give a talk without much rehearsal.
(4) Don't do jokes. It's better to give a straightforward talk which imparts the information required than try to liven it up with jokes that then fall flat on their face. Only start injecting humour when you are absolutely confident about yourself and the audience.
(5) Don't rush through your talk. One of the cardinal signs of a newbie speaker is racing through the talk through nerves and/or a worry that they won't finish in time. Rehearse the talk beforehand, preferrably trying it out on some of your more patient friends, and find the pace that best suits you and the material.
