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The moment has come: you’re watching a classmate wrap up her speech, and you’re next in line. As you approach the lectern and start delivering your speech, keep the following guidelines in mind:
Project your voice. Speak loudly and slowly enough that your audience can easily hear what you are saying.
Maintain an even rate of speaking. Many speakers tend to rush through a speech, particularly if they are nervous. Speak at a rate that enables you to pronounce the words clearly, allowing the audience to follow your speech.
Convey interest in your topic. Maintain energy and variety in your speaking voice so that you build audience enthusiasm for your speech.
Maintain eye contact. Try to make eye contact with people in each section of the room during the course of your presentation.
Each speech you deliver is a learning experience. Your instructor (and perhaps your classmates) will offer feedback after your presentation. Use these suggestions to prepare future speeches; you’ll soon see your public speaking skills improve.
To analyze an example of student delivery in a classroom speech, try Video Activity 2.3, “Gentz, My Hero, Marilyn Hamilton.”