Give a Speech in Front of Your Class

Speaking is a daily activity - but having to stand up in front of your whole class and give a speech can be daunting. We engage in internal self talk and external information sharing with others all the time - it's not so easy to confidently, clearly and comprehensively deliver a speech. Think of what it is that you want your classmates (or teachers) to understand from your talk. You will need to research your subject matter and organise the points you want to raise. Never take it more seriously than is required, and don't feel pressured, you may make mistakes, and that's ok, as long as you try. Read on from step number one below.

Steps

Speech Help

Doc:Class Speech

Preparing the topic

  1. Decide on a suitable topic, unless your teacher or other class leader has told you specifically what your speech should cover. Make sure it's something you are interested in and confident about. for most speeches you will be expected to do some amount of research. Interview other people you have identified to get their experiences.
  2. Research your topic thoroughly. Take detailed notes.

Writing the speech

  1. Sort your notes into categories. Decide which information is necessary, and what can be cut. A highlighter or a different colour pen can be very useful here.
  2. Make an outline. Start rough and general, then get specific.
  3. Familiarize yourself with your topic and write your speech as if it were an essay. Learn the content of the essay well.
  4. Choose what visual aids (if any) you will use to enhance your speech.

Rehearsing the speech

  1. Write or print notes on index cards. These should be key points in your outline (to keep you on topic) and details and statistics (that would be too difficult to remember).
  2. Practice your speech out loud until you are confident with it. It doesn't have to be identical to your essay in wording, but try to keep the content the same.
    • Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Do not rush through your presentation, or it will not be well understood by those listening.
    • Inject your presentation with suitable emotion. This helps you to connect with the audience.
  3. Try giving the speech to things around your room. A teddy-bear, a vase, or even the TV will be fine.
    • Look in the mirror as you give a speech. Check yourself if you have any bad habits such as fiddling, picking at fluff or twirling your hair.
  4. Once you have learned it well, practice your presentation in front of family members and/or friends. They can give you support, feedback, and help you improve your speech. They will also make you feel comfortable with speaking in front of people.
    • Ask your family and friends for feedback on the tone, voice level and speed of delivery.
    • Use good eye contact.
  5. Go to school and give your speech with confidence!

Tips

  • While you're up there, remember: everyone watching you is so nervous about their own speeches, they're probably not paying all that much attention to you!
  • Be confident! You know more about your topic than the other people in your class, so be proud of what you have to tell them and enjoy yourself.
  • Try to look at your audience, not the floor or the desk in front of you. If it makes you uncomfortable to make eye contact, look at people's foreheads or an object that's near a person, like a box on a shelf behind someone.
  • Don't look down at your feet! Looking at your feet shows that you don't feel confident and makes people want to just go to sleep. Your feet aren't that pretty.
  • If your voice is not loud or you are not confident--or if you're terrified--ask your teacher beforehand if you can go first or second. Ask immediately for going "as soon as possible" so you can get it done before you worry to much (note this works if you stay calm and breathe naturally).
  • Always speak in a loud, clear voice.
  • Practice standing still, not rocking back and forth, bouncing, and so forth.
  • When you are speaking and get nervous just focus on anything but the people. Look at a wall clock and focus on it. Look around occasionally or else you look like you are an unmoving picture with a mouth.
  • Be happy that you are able to give a speech. Some people probably haven't even practiced!

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