McGraw-Hill Public Speaking

Speaking to an audience




Practicing your speech

After you have prepared your speaking outline and visual aids, you will need to practice your speech. Prepare your speech several times. Initially, use your practice outline. Once you are confident that you know your material, switch to your speaking outline. Always practice in the speaking voice you plan to use during your presentation rather than reading through your speech silently. Review your performance after practicing.

The section on focusing your delivery deals specifically with controlling your voice and non-verbal messages. This section discusses how you can structure your speech practice for improved results.

Begin with your preparation outline

Read your preparation outline aloud

Use a clock or stopwatch to time the presentation. Compare the time to the time you've been allotted (either in a speaker's schedule or as part of an assignment). Determine whether you need to shorten or lengthen your speech. Length is only one of the items you may discover needs editing. Spoken aloud, you may discover that your signposts do not adequately signal your main points or that your supporting evidence requires another visual. Refine the speech until you are satisfied with the content and length.

Convert your preparation outline to a speaker's outline

Use the same organization as your preparation outline, but reduce the outline to key points. Keep the speaker's outline as brief. Add delivery notes as you rehearse.

Practice from your speaking outline

Practice aloud and use your visual aids. If you forget a passage, continue with the next section. Try to focus on covering your main points, not on the exact wording of your preparation outline.

Focus on delivery

After you feel comfortable with the material, focus on improving your voice and non-verbal communication.

Conduct a dress rehearsal

If you have access to the room and equipment you will be using prior to the time of your speech, practice there. Request that a friend or relative listen to your presentation. Check that all of your visual aids are complete and ready to use.



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