Tips on preparing a public speech

 

Talks, presentations, lectures and speeches involve communicating your thoughts to an audience. Planning helps to structure your own thoughts.

 

Content

 

·        Find out who your audience will be, and their level of knowledge

·        Clarify your purpose: to inform, amuse, inspire, or persuade

·        Research the subject, but don’t include all your own material

 

Structure

 

  1. Introduction

 

    • Capture the audience’s attention within the first two minutes
    • State why the topic is important
    • For lectures or conference presentations, list all your main points.
    • For talks and speeches, a less detailed introduction allows you to sustain suspence
    • No more than 10% of the total time

 

  1. Development

 

    • About 3-5 headings
    • Maintain balance between facts and arguments
    • Plan transitional statements linking consecutive headings

 

  1. Conclusion

 

    • Keep it short
    • Refer to your original purpose
    • No more than 3 “take home” messages

 

Audio-visual aids

 

·        Find out what equipment is available and that you are familiar with it

·        Keep your slides simple for talks and speeches

·        Cluttered PowerPoint slides detract from what you have to say

 

Rehearsal

 

·        Rehearse on your own

·        Check your timing

·        Record it on tape and listen to yourself

·        Rehearse in front of friendly colleagues and ask for their constructive feedback

·        Rehearse in the room where you will be speaking if possible, in order to get accustomed to the acoustics

·        Make sure you arrive relaxed and in good time

 

Bibliography

 

Leung, WC:       “Tips on…preparing a public speech”, BMJ Careers, 20/4/2002, s127