Public Speaking: Tips From the Toastmasters According

¶ … Public speaking: Tips from the Toastmasters

According to the Toastmasters International Website, visual aids are a key part of professional presentations. I have found this to be the case, given that visual aids give the speaker something to focus on rather than him or herself. They also draw the audience's attention away from the speaker and instead focus it on the subject the speaker is addressing. This is also why public speaking that is designed to inform can particularly benefit from visual aids. Visual aids reinforce the speaker's message, and even if the audience's recollection of what was said is somewhat shaky, they may be able to recall the striking visuals used by the speakers. Charts, graphs, videos, overheads, or models can all be used. The only important thing is that they are relevant, easy-to-understand, and not cumbersome for the speaker while he or she is addressing the audience.

Another important tip is the use of humor. Of course, not everyone can be a stand-up comedian. But a joke is an ideal way to put an audience at ease. It creates a sense of rapport between the speaker and his or her listeners. The humor must be appropriate and the speaker must judge his or her audience. Unless the speaker knows the audience well, keeping humor 'safe' is usually a good idea. But other than this caveat, it is hard to imagine an engaging speech without the use of humor.

Of the different types of speech delivery, identify which type or types you would feel most comfortable with and explain why

Of the different types of speech delivery, the kind I with which I am most comfortable is speaking to small groups. When I am speaking to a group of friends or even to a classroom during a presentation, I can make eye contact with all of the people I am speaking with and sense their reactions. I can get to know the people I am talking to, even if only through their body language. Unlike when I speaking to an auditorium, my listeners are not hidden in the harsh glare of an overhead spotlight. If I am lingering too long on a point, I know immediately because of the restlessness of the audience, as the audience members shift in their seats. If they find something humorous, I can hear the group laughing, and edit my comments accordingly. Small group presentations also tend to be more informal, so it is easy to take questions from the audience to clarify any points that may have been unclear. From a social standpoint, there is less pressure speaking to a small group, versus a one-on-one speaking situation, because an individual can always temporarily 'hide' in the group, until the conversation takes another turn in a direction he or she is more comfortable talking about.

Identify and explain which type of speech delivery with which you would feel most uncomfortable. Describe what you could to do overcome this.