Any tips on preparing for a speech?
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Prepare your speech now, using an outline and practice practice practive. Use a mirror first and get used to seeing yourself in the mirror to critique yourself first. Then, find an audience---anyone, your dog, your family, your friend, even your plant for that matter. Maybe even set up a room similiar to the one you will be giving the speech using different items/people as your audience and practice eye contact ahead of time. The more you practice, the better prepared you will be. Just don't practice too much, or your presentation will appear just that and you want to look knowledgable, not rehearsed. \n\nGood luck.
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talk with an attitude.\ncreate a positive impact.\nhear before you speak !!
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1) Assess your audience\n2) Try to create 3 main points. Humans can remember things in 3s very easily\n3) Support your statements\n\nOH YEA, it helps to smile, and like the poster below me says, it doesnt hurt to tell a joke or life story related to the speech. give the audience something they can relate to.\n\nMost of all, practice, practice, practice.
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Public Speaking Terrifying?\n\nIn our Western culture we are so much used to criticism as kids that we believe we will be treated like this for the rest of our lives. This does not have to be that way.\n\nAs public speakers we have to prepare well for the presentation. We have to adapt the topic and the content of our presentation to the interest of our audience. Our first sentence has to get their attention.\n\nHo to get their attention?\n* We have to talk loud enough to he heard.\n* Our first sentence should be a bit provocative or funny to get the attention of our audience.\n\nExample\nFor retired people we may choose a topic like "How Can You Stretch your Retirement Income to Live in Luxury?" We can assume that there are quite a few retired people who would like to learn more how this can be done.\n\nThe first sentence after the greeting then may be, "How many of you are retired? How many of you would like to have more luxury in their life? Let's see how this could be done!" We can assume that now we have the attention of most in the audience. They want to know if and how they can live with more luxury! The speaker may give descriptions of what luxury means, a hot tub at home, cruises, vacations to the grandchildren etc.\n\nPreparations\n* I find it easiest to prepare a set of images, either slides or overhead transparencies. This way one can set up the entire presentation ahead, and when one gets distracted or is nervous, the images guide to the next sentences and what to say.\n\nPreparing details\n* I also prepare a list of the images I want to present (in case someone drops the box of slides or the stack of transparencies and thus disturbs their proper order). I make a simple sketch of each image so that I know ahead what the next image is and can state some guiding sentences. I add some key words to the list with each image so that I remember what to say under all circumstances. This makes presentations really easy!\n\nBeing on time\n* The speaker must be on time, best appear before the talk starts to make sure that everything is correctly set up and helpers know what is expected of them. Nothing is worse than keeping the audience waiting!\n\n* I take care not to go over the set time for the talk. Some people have made plans for the time after the talk and may want to leave. I want to honor their plans. A punctual ending prevents a breakup atmosphere at the end of the talk.\n\nExample\nWhen a famous speaker came to a certain city, I wanted to experience her style first hand. I traveled to the city for her evening talk and found my way to the hotel of the event. A huge room was prepared for hundreds of people to show up. I was early and sat down far in front. More and more people came finding places all over the large room. Finally it was starting time, yet, the room was only filled to a forth or fifth of its capacity. No appearance of the speaker, although it was known that she was in the hotel. A long time passed, nothing, more time passed, nothing. Finally, some helpers asked everybody in the back of the room to move to the front so that two thirds of the room could be closed off. This action took some time and when this was done there was more waiting. I wondered when I would be home having a 2-3 hour drive! Finally the "gracious lady" come fluttering in, sitting on a high chair on the stage, looking down at her audience. There was no apology for the delay! Some also knew that the one she treated as her "butler" was her partner in life and father of her son. It was known that she would appear late on purpose, as to make herself more important.\n\nWhat impression does one get from a speaker like this woman? That this speaker has a lot of issues to work out and she may not be the preferred advisor for one's own life as who she liked to represent herself. Honesty and humbleness are great virtues for a Speaker.\n\nNo absolutes\n* I see the audience as my friends and have l
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Here are some more thoughts ....\n\nMake sure you project your voice, and make your voice interesting and expressive. Speak clearly, and slower than you would if you were just chatting with friends. Don't move around while speaking - try to stand in one spot, which makes it easier for those listening. Don't fidget. Try to use some humor. Use an ice breaker for the beginning of your presentation. One good one is to get everyone to tell something they have done that they think no one else in the room has done. You find out lots of interesting stuff about the group. Start on time and finish on time. Get their attention - don't try to talk over a lot of noise. Find ways to involve them - try to plan some activity that will teach them something and that will fit well in your time frame. Dress in a manner that suits your topic.\n\nI hope this helps.
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Follow the following simple steps:\n1.Prepare a good story on the stuff that you wish to speak. Understand them well .\n2.Remember the story by heart.\n3.Stand in front of a mirror and repeat your story as many times as possible till you don't fumble and can speak continuously. Remember unless you can memorise and vomit wthout fumbling you can't deliver the results.\n4.After this make this presentation with your youger ones and with family and friends.\n5.Once you are confident jusk tell your friends to ask questions and start answering them. If you have problems then think of as many questions as possible and their best possible answers.\n6.Repaet the presentations with small groups of family and friends.\n7.IMPORTANT: WHILE MAKING THE PRESENTATION REMEMBER YOU HAVE MADE LOT OF EFFORTS AND YOU KNOW BETTER THAN YOUR AUDIENCES. HENCE  SPEAK CONFIDENTLY.\nIf you have any doubt in answering a question just answer and tell "This is what best I can think of. There may be better ways . "\nOr Just say" This is what I think. Correct me if I am wrong"\nHENCE THE KEY IS CONFIDENCE LEVEL. JUST MAKE THE PRESENTATION WITH FULL CONFIDENCE. THIS CAN BE DONE ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE PREPARED YOUR STORY WELL AND HAVE PRACTISED IT WELL.
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The best way to be confident about what you speak is knowledge and passion. Forget about planned speeches. Know the subject you're going to speak about, "do your homework" so to speak, and maybe make a few note cards. Find something about which you have to speak that you can feel passionate about. I used to be terribly shy as well, but after a while, it came into perspective: what does it matter how people think about your public speaking? Many of them are probably as nervous as you are. Just do it. Don't overthink it; you'll just make yourself panic.
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Writing or Oral?\n\nRegardless, set goals.  If writing, take the extra time to do it right.\n\nPractice- if you want better speaking skills, volunteer to do the next office presentation.  Take the time to toast at family gatherings and prepare.\n\nYou should see your change and be able to benchmark it based on your goals. Good luck!
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Start your speech out with something that makes you feel more comfortable.  If you can tell a joke, or if it's appropriate to sing a song, or just tell everybody that you're nervous, that can help you relax some.  \n\nThe more you do it, the better you get at it.  But sometimes the nervous anticipation is just what you need to do an excellent job.
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jus practice your speech so you know what your saying and make sure you understand it, that is the best advice to help nerves because if you do not understand what you are talking about then you are going to mess up. People say imagining the people in front of you naked is the best idea but that would just make me laugh so i suggest trying out your speech in front of friends or family first. Just don't worry to much, its only natural to be nervous. Good luck!
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I used to be afraid of public speaking, too, but I found that with practice and experience, I slowly overcame my fears and learned to enjoy public speaking. A few hints:\n\n1. Practice makes perfect: Practice speaking in front of a small, sympathetic crowd such as a group of friends or your family. Practice speaking extemporaneously (without a written speech) on a subject that you know well, such as personal beauty tips or a favorite activity, as well as working with a short, prepared speech using notes. Start off doing this in your own home, then start doing it in public places such as a park or office, but still just in front of friends or family. If you can get your friends to cooperate and support you emotionally, this can be quite helpful.\n\n2. Try to empathize rather than impress: Concentrate on slowing down your speech a little bit. Pick out a sympathetic face in the crowd and act like you're talking to him or her alone, then modulate your speech as if you're trying to impart some knowledge that he or she will benefit from. Try to play the role of a "caring mother" rather than a "knowledgeable professional" and you'll feel less pressure to perform to perfection.\n\n3. If you know you're going to be speaking publicly, prepare a few calming techniques to keep on hand: Bring along some lavender-scented lotion and apply it to your hands with gentle, calming strokes briefly before speaking or entering the meeting. Breathe in and out slowly while concentrating on a "mantra" or affirmative saying. Visualize yourself enjoying the company of your friends or coworkers at the lunch or party afterwards; remember that these people want to see you do well and will strive to receive your message no matter how imperfect the delivery.\n\n4. It's ok to admit you're nervous: Feel free to laugh at yourself a little and tell the crowd you're not a born public speaker. Thank them for their patience and ask them to bear with you. Acknowledging your fears to them and asking politely for their cooperation will win their sympathy and will buy you a little time to get your thoughts together. And remember, mistakes can always be corrected. If you misspeak, it's not against the rules to correct or restate something you said earlier.\n\nJust remember: public speaking is one of the most common phobias out there. Chances are good that the majority of the people you're speaking to are afraid of public speaking just like you! So don't sweat it; they understand what you're dealing with and will be more than willing to listen patiently so long as you try to handle your fears in a positive way rather than becoming negative or argumentative about it.\n\nBest of luck!
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Not sure if this will help but try looking at page below and then broswing the rest of the site for help on making a speech.
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1. Plan. For every presentation, plan well. Everything can be overcome with the right amount of planning. Including stage freights.\n2. Articulate well. Practice in front of the mirror. Think everytime before you speak. When you are making a speech or presentation, you are trying to deliver a message or information. Keep in mind: what is most important is not how you look or how interesting what you are saying is, but how you deliver the message so that everybody understands. Talk slowly, take your time. If you're loud and clear, everybody will listen.\n3. Put the spotlight on the audience. Do not imagine that all eyes are on you. Imagine that all eyes are on them, like they themselves are on the stage and you are in their seats telling them what to do like director.\n4. Practice proper posture and gestures. This helps, and allows you not to be too verbal and express yourself in another way. It adds in the overall positive effect too.\n5. Be objective. Say only what you need to say, no less and no more.\n6. Have enough rest before every presentation. It clears your mind and lets you muster the confidence factor.\n7. Smile. (You're on candid camera. =) )
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Since I don't know what your hobbies or interests are, my advice is to offer you a few suggestions to guide your thinking as to the choice of topics. In my experience, the best speech you can give is about a subject that: \n\na) you know very well, so that you will have some material to talk about for five minutes. Because this is a persuasive speech, you should think about at least three arguments that support your position on the subject. You may be able to come up with more than three but pick the three strongest ones and go with those. \n \nb) you feel passionately about, so that you will be persuasive. See a) above.  \n\nRemember, when you deliver your speech you become the expert on the subject. Your knowledge and passion about the subject are what will make you persuasive. \n\nSee if you can come up with a list of a few topics just by brainstorming about things that fulfill both criteria above. Then narrow it down to a subject that you feel you can write and talk about.\n   \nLastly, five minutes is not a very long time in terms of speeches, so you might want to practice your speech with a timer so that you can be sure to make it within the time limit. Practice also helps you memorize your speech so you won't need notes, in case you lose them.\n\nGood luck and have fun!
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Online Speech Bank\n\nIndex to and growing database of 5000+ full text, audio and video (streaming) versions of public speeches, sermons, legal proceedings, lectures, debates, interviews, other recorded media events, and a declaration or two.\n\nhttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/\n\nhttp://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm\n\nhttp://www.speech-topics-help.com/good-persuasive-speech-topics.html\n\nhttp://www.historyplace.com/speeches/previous.htm\n\nhttp://library.albany.edu/usered/dr/speech.html\n\nhttp://www.history.com/media.do\n\nhttp://yahooligans.yahoo.com/school_bell/social_studies/history/speeches/\n\nSpeechTips\n\nLooking for Good Persuasive Speech Topics?\n\nhttp://www.top101persuasivespeechtopics.com/\n\nhttp://www.speech-topics-help.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.goodpersuasivespeechtopics.com/persuasive.htm\n\nhttp://www.leeogle.org/byron/bhs/library/persuasion.htm\n\nThis is a very good site with very easy to follow step by step instructions.\n\nSpeechTips.com Your free guide to speech writing and public speaking for eulogies, graduations, best man, father of the bride and any other public speaking engagement.\n\nhttp://www.speechtips.com/index.html\n\nhttp://www.speechtips.com/preparation.html\n\nFREE Articles on Public Speaking\n\nThis site has so many tips that I was unable to pick any, you will need to see for yourself and see which, if any are useful to you.\n\nhttp://www.public-speaking.org/public-speaking-articles.htm\n\nThis site seems OK but once again see what is useful.\n\nhttp://members.shaw.ca/toasted/services.htm\n\nI liked this one.\n\nThe fear of speaking to a group of people is one of the most common forms of social phobia. Here are several suggestions for working with this fear.\n\nhttp://www.rpeurifoy.com/anxiety/pubspeak.htm\n\nPublic speaking do's and don't's\n\nhttp://www.lifehacker.com/software/feature/public-speaking-dos-and-donts-161531.php\n\nGood luck.\n\nKevin, Liverpool, UK.
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1) Don't read off your notes (or Powerpoint presentation or overhead transparency)\n2) Don't dance around or ring your hands or play with your hair\n3) Talk loudly and clearly (without shouting) and make sure your voice doesn't go too high-pitched\n4) Make sure you look left, right and straight ahead for about 3 seconds each (otherwise people won't feel included and will start chatting amongst themselves, which will make you even more nervous)\n\nThese are the basic guidelines I give my students.\n\nGood luck.
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You should make your speech more interesting like.. hard words in it, which you can understand. You should have a clear voice and not be afraid to say it, and you should make sure that it's right and understandable.