Table 9.1 > Guidelines for Successful Speaking


Step 1: Clarify Your Objective	Begin by identifying the goals of your presentation: What do you want your listeners to know, believe, or do when you are finished?
Step 2: Understand Your Audience	In order to understand the people you'll be talking to, ask yourself the following questions: Who are my listeners? What do they already know about my topic? What do they want or need to know? What are their attitudes toward me, my ideas, and my topic?
Step 3: Organize Your Presentation	Build your presentation by selecting and arranging blocks of information to help your listeners connect the ideas they already have to the new knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs you are presenting. You can actually write an outline for your speech.
Step 4: Choose Appropriate Visual Aids	Use software programs, such as Prezi or PowerPoint, to prepare your presentations. When creating PowerPoint slides or using Prezi templates, you can insert images and videos to support your ideas while making your presentations animated, engaging, and interactive. You might also choose to prepare a chart, write on the board, or distribute handouts. Make visuals easy to follow. Use font colors to make your slides visually attractive. Explain each visual clearly. Give your listeners enough time to process visuals. Proofread carefully. Maintain eye contact with your listeners while you discuss the visuals. Don't turn around and address the screen. Remember that a fancy slideshow can't make up for lack of careful research or sound ideas.
Step 5: Prepare Your Notes	Memorize the introduction and conclusion of your speech, and then use a carefully prepared outline to guide you in between. Practice in advance. Because you are speaking mainly from an outline, your choice of words will be slightly different each time you give your presentation, with the result that you will sound prepared but natural. Try using note cards; number them in case you accidentally drop the stack on your way to the front of the room.
Step 6: Practice Your Delivery	Practice your delivery before an audience: a friend, your dog, even the mirror. If you ask a practice audience (friends or family) to give you feedback, you'll have some idea of what changes you might want to make. Practice your presentation aloud several times to control your anxiety. Consider making an audio or video recording of yourself on your cell phone or mobile device to hear or see your mistakes. Use eye contact and smile.
Step 7: Pay Attention to Word Choice and Pronunciation	As you reread your presentation, make sure that you have used the correct words to express your ideas. Get help ahead of time with words you aren't sure how to pronounce. Try your best to avoid like, um, uh, you know, and other fillers.
Step 8: Dress Appropriately	Dress appropriately. Leave the baseball cap, the T-shirt, and the tennis shoes at home. Don't overdress, but do look professional.
Step 9: Request Feedback from Someone in Your Audience	After you have completed your speech, ask a friend or your instructor to give you some honest feedback. Pay attention to suggestions for ways you can improve.