public speaking

public speaking topic for child

Online resources for public speaking topic for child

Public speaking strikes fear into the hearts of many a grown man and woman.

But public speaking need not be so fearful. If you give me just 5 minutes to read the article below, you'll discover how you too can learn the basics of how to prepare and give a speech, and put yourself well on the way to becoming a polished public speaker.

Public speaking ranks right up there with public torture for most people - they�d rather die than get up in front of a room full of strangers and give a speech of some sort. That�s a pretty silly reaction, considering public speaking really isn�t all that difficult - but there you have it.

But props can also be a big disadvantage if you use them incorrectly. For example, if you use a pointer in your presentation, don�t stand up there and wave it around in mid-air aimlessly, because your audience may feel that they�re watching a swordfight with only one participant, and become so engrossed in that display that they stop listening to your words. Or if you plan a slide show or a PowerPoint presentation, don�t mix very bright slides with very dark ones, or else you may leave your audience unable to see either one.

Let your imagination run wild when trying to imagine props to use. Humor can be introduced into your presentation with some �wild and crazy� props � I�ve seen speakers bring mannequins on stage and throw them around to make a point, I�ve seen people use simple magic tricks and sound-effect machine that make noises like a crying baby or galloping horse to illustrate a point.

Your personal style and the subject matter of your speech should dictate the types of props you can use. For example, don�t use a humorous prop with a serious subject. Props can be simple or complex � they don�t have to be elaborate � the key to using an effective prop is that it should help convey your message � no more, no less.

Make a name for yourself � Everyone starts off small. Speak for free at service clubs like Rotary or Lion�s clubs; find a community event like a Chamber of Commerce mixer where you can make an appearance. The more often you give speeches in public, the better a speaker you�ll be.

Vary your presentation - use audio visual props such as flipcharts, PowerPoint presentations, pass out handouts for your audience to read, use different intonations of voice - speak louder or softer - don�t make the mistake of using a monotone. Move around the stage (within reason - you�re not up there to give a Chorus Line review.)

The word �props� actually derives from an old theatrical term � �property.� In public speaking terms it means any object or item that the speaker uses to help get their message across to the audience. That could mean anything from a podium to a laser pointer, a flipchart to a PowerPoint projector, handouts to a DVD player. Virtually anything can be used as a prop.

Some speakers find it easy to use props to help keep them on track with what they want to say during their presentation. For example, I know one man who wears a different hat for each segment of his speech � he changes the hat and replaces it with another when he goes to the next segment. The hats remind him of key points to cover in each portion of his speech.

Hone your speaking skills � someone needs to critique your presentation � a friend, colleague or spouse. Have you tried having someone coach you or received instruction on how to be a better speaker?

Not at all. But consider this - if your audience isn�t listening � if you�re boring them, you�re not delivering your message in an effective manner. And if you�re not getting through to them � you�re wasting your time and your message is being lost. You don�t have to become a comedian to be a good, but you do have to know when to use humor to get your message across.

Have you ever had the feeling when you get up in front of an audience to give a speech that you�re utterly and completely naked? Not in the real sense, of course, but in the sense that it�s just you, the microphone and the audience. You have no podium to hide behind � no slide projector or pointer � in other words, you have no props.

Identify your audience � who is your target audience? Who are your attempting to deliver your message to? Is it teachers? Drug addicts? Can you identify with your audience, and even more importantly, can they identify with you?

Props can be used very effectively to help draw attention to key points of your presentation � visual aids of any sort, such as slides or flipcharts - can deliver your message more effectively to the visual learners in your audience. They can also add variety and a great deal of additional dimension to your speech, and make your key points even more noticeable.

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