#1st matter for 8EC - speech

SPEECH

1.      Approach the podium confidently and put your notes in a place where you can see them easily.

2. Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Look at the audience, pause and begin speaking. If there is no microphone, project from your diaphragm, not your throat.
3. Set the tone in your introduction with appropriate facial expressions and diction, and a specific mood (such as folksy or hard-hitting).
4. Make eye contact with people in different parts of the audience, including the back row.
5. Pause briefly after you state key points to allow the audience time to absorb the information. Also, use natural and relaxed hand gestures and facial expressions to emphasize certain points.
6. Pronounce your words clearly and vary your rate, pitch and volume to keep the delivery lively.
7. Refresh your memory by periodically glancing at your notes, but avoid reading from your notes directly unless you are reading a long quotation.
8. Close your speech by thanking the audience and then confidently exiting the stage.

1. Prepare. Write your speech well in advance, and remember to shoot for your target audience. Make sure you get to the place where you are giving your speech with time to spare. A backup copy of your speech is useful, even if just for peace of mind.
2. Practice. Read your speech anytime you have the opportunity: to your friends, your family, or in the mirror. Try to memorize parts of your speech; this will leave you free to make eye contact.
3. Don't panic. Relax. Take a deep breath. Being nervous will not help your speech-giving ability any.
4. Voice is key. Keep your voice level and even. Don't go too fast or too slow. Enunciate clearly, and try to avoid having your voice crack. Drink a bit of water if you need to.
5. Make eye contact. Don't speak to your podium. Look at your audience. This will also help to project your voice.
6. Remember to smile! A smile will help put your audience - and you - at ease.

Tips

• Remember to project and enunciate clearly. Don't mumble.
• Don't get hung up on one little mistake. Relax, and remember: your audience is here to see you.
• A speech has three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. Your introduction should begin with a statement that gets the audience's attention, such as a shocking statistic (this works really well!) or a story. Your body should be organized into three main points.
• Maintain eye contact.

Warnings

• Don't practice inappropriate humor.