The Ice Breaker

• To begin speaking before an audience.

• To discover speaking skills you already have and skills that need some attention.

Organize Your Speech

• Select an appropriate outline which allows listeners to easily follow and understand your speech.

• Make your message clear, with supporting material directly contributing to that message.

• Use appropriate transitions when moving from one ideas to another.

• Create a strong opening and conclusion.

Get to the Point

• Select a speech topic and determine its general and specific purposes.

• Organize the speech in a manner that best achieves those purposes.

• Ensure the beginning, body and conclusion reinforce the purposes.

• Project sincerity and conviction and control any nervousness you may feel.

• Strive not to use notes.

How to Say It

• Select the right words and sentence structure to communicate your ideas clearly, accurately and vividly.

• Use rhetorical devices to enhance and emphasize ideas.

• Eliminate jargon and unnecessary words.  Use correct grammar.

Your Body Speaks

• Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech's purpose.

• Make your body language smooth and natural.

Vocal Variety

• Use voice volume, pitch, rate and quality to reflect and add interest to your message.

• Use pauses to enhance your message.

• Use vocal variety smoothly and naturally.

Research Your Topic

• Collect information about your topic from numerous sources.

• Carefully support your points and opinions with specific facts, examples and illustrations gathered through research.

Get Comfortable with Visual Aids

• Select visual aids that are appropriate for your message and the audience.

• Use visual aids correctly with ease and confidence.

Persuade with Power

• Persuade listeners to adopt your viewpoint or ideas or to take some action.

• Appeal to the audience's interests.

• Avoid using notes.

Inspire Your Audience

• To inspire the audience by appealing to noble motives and challenging the audience to achieve a higher level of beliefs or achievement.

• Appeal to the audience's needs and emotions, using stories, anecdotes and quotes to add drama.

• Avoid using notes.