Public Speaking

[Shakalu M.D.]

I actually won 3 awards for public speaking while I was in high school. We had to do a 3.5-4 minute prepared speech along with a 1.5-2 minute improvised speech. The biggest tip I can give you is just rehearse it until you no longer need to think about the words. Do it so many times that it comes like second nature. That way you can focus on the actual delivery and not just trying to remember the words.

If for some reason you do forget what you wrote, don't worry. You know the material. You may not know exactly what you wrote, but you know the general points you were making. If you need to stretch time, tell a story. I would always start the improvised speech with a story before I dove into the actual material.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

Just some advice, practice practice practice! I just had to give a speech to a group of 100 people at a work trade show. It was my first time giving one outside of school and I was very nervous. It went great and I learned a lot. The key is to be prepared. I would record myself giving the speech, then listen and see where I should improve. The key to anything is to get off start. I like to write out the first few mins and almost memorize the first 3-4 lines. This allows you to get into a flow, and start slow and steady. Also youtube for tips. A lot of good ideas out there. I love to watch TED talks.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

The key to being truly effective is to overcome the primary objections to the other point of view. Think about what the most persuasive arguments are on the other side (even talk to the guy if you want), and make sure you address those arguments in your speech. Along with how much they should be paid, and by whom.

I think this is a great point. Think of biggest reason why they should, overcome that first then give your points to your view. Also the use of stats can be used to show you did your research and know about it. Example, out of the 1000's of student atletics, only x% make it to a pro level. The other % are using their college degree to make an earning.

 

[Kouki]

I got volunteered to deliver a presentation to hundreds of people at work (requesting funding for a project).

....damn

Once I get started I usually do okay, but my nerves leading up to speaking are massive, like, "I'm going to have a heart attack" massive, and that's only speaking for like 15-20 people.

I guess theoretically everything should be easier after this...

I really struggle with vocal variety but I can do okay with humor, humor is kind of my go-to for comfort zone.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Just some advice, practice practice practice! I just had to give a speech to a group of 100 people at a work trade show. It was my first time giving one outside of school and I was very nervous. It went great and I learned a lot. The key is to be prepared. I would record myself giving the speech, then listen and see where I should improve. The key to anything is to get off start. I like to write out the first few mins and almost memorize the first 3-4 lines. This allows you to get into a flow, and start slow and steady. Also youtube for tips. A lot of good ideas out there. I love to watch TED talks.

This is what I did when I was doing my student teaching, and I would recommend it as well...would create my lesson plan, then teach it to myself. Helped me prepare for anything unexpected, helped me gauge the time frame, and helped me remember more stuff than if I didn't practice it.

Probably my favorite thing to do with public speaking, having to do PTA stuff with a lot of parents in attendance or speaking at an assembly, is to pan across the room slowly with my head/eyes. A lot of people say stare at an object beyond the people you're speaking too, but doing that you can get too fixated on looking in one spot. Panning across makes it so you don't look at anyone in particular, just like staring at an object, but it also doesn't make it look like you've froze in place while speaking.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Probably my favorite thing to do with public speaking, having to do PTA stuff with a lot of parents in attendance or speaking at an assembly, is to pan across the room slowly with my head/eyes. A lot of people say stare at an object beyond the people you're speaking too, but doing that you can get too fixated on looking in one spot. Panning across makes it so you don't look at anyone in particular, just like staring at an object, but it also doesn't make it look like you've froze in place while speaking.

Good point. The next step from that is to actually speak to people in the room. Pick out some faces, make eye contact once in a while, and you can really get them. That takes a lot of confidence, though. But if you can do it, it gives you instance feedback on how you're doing. You can see when people are nodding or otherwise signaling it is a point they like, or when they're looking puzzled or confused and you know you may have to rephrase a bit on the fly.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Good point. The next step from that is to actually speak to people in the room. Pick out some faces, make eye contact once in a while, and you can really get them. That takes a lot of confidence, though. But if you can do it, it gives you instance feedback on how you're doing. You can see when people are nodding or otherwise signaling it is a point they like, or when they're looking puzzled or confused and you know you may have to rephrase a bit on the fly.

I mean nowadays I make eye contact while public speaking, but in the early stages when you are the new guy and have never done certain things its easier not to look directly in the faces of the people you are talking too. That's where the experience comes in. Public speaking is one of those things that gets easier and easier to do the more you do it. I've heard that's how your golf swing should go as well, but I find that to be BS.

 

[Kouki]

nailed my speech today

but no one laughed at my jokes

ugh

 

[Ruken]

Just starting our Moot court practices next week, competition is in one month. I get to stand in front of three judges and get grilled for twenty minutes.

 

[Ruken]

nailed my speech today

but no one laughed at my jokes

ugh

Just force them down their throats ala Dane Cook

 

[Simon]

So, my professor emailed me today saying my topics were great, but since there is possibly two other people doing the same topic and one person is for one side and the other person is for the other side.

So, now, I move to a more of a comedy persuasive speech, which might be good for the class being at 8:50 in the morning. My next topic is persuading to watch a certain show, and that show is Impractical Jokers. Now, I have no idea if I should focus on doing the whole show, or one of the people in it.

I'll be showing clips of the show in class too.

 

[Juice is Loose]

You also have to remember that if you're giving a speech in a college class, how many people are actually paying attention to what you're saying? Half the kids may be on their phone, some just day dreaming. I'd say about 10% of the kids are actually somewhat listening to what you're saying in case a professor asks them a question about it.

 

[Simon]

You also have to remember that if you're giving a speech in a college class, how many people are actually paying attention to what you're saying? Half the kids may be on their phone, some just day dreaming. I'd say about 10% of the kids are actually somewhat listening to what you're saying in case a professor asks them a question about it.

Yeah. Actually, pretty much everyone is listening. Maybe not the first time around for speeches as everyone is nervous as fuck. But, since everyone has gotten to know each other a little bit more, it'll be easier. Plus, were suppose to not have phones out during speeches, and for every speech, we have to write down one thing we learned and one criticism about the speech, it counts as participation points.

 

[Simon]

I'm actually not really dreading this speech next Wednesday. Its just something in the way, but anyways, here's my persuasion.
Note: I will be adding showing a clip as part of the persuasion.

Reasons to watch the show is that you will, at least I do, laugh almost throughout the show. The show will also give you guys ideas to prank your friends as well. Aside it from being funny, it has some value for people interested in sociology and psychology, it challenges social norms and makes you look at how many social interactions we make on a daily basis can be made awkward or uncomfortable by breaking the general rules and manners we have. Also on a psychology note, it tests the willingness of all the guys to break these rules. If they think its too immoral they can get a thumbs down/forfeit on that challenge. It’s interesting to examine how social rules and psychology influence out interactions with others.

Any recommendations? Anything I should add on or change?

 

[Simon]

Speech day this Wednesday and going second (thank goodness). Time to knock this fucker out.