WHEN THE GALLUP POLL reports on what U.S. citizens say they fear most, the findings are always the same: public speaking is apparently even scarier than an attack from outer space. Nevertheless, many writing courses may require you not only to compose written texts but also to give presentations in front of an audience, and it’s safe to say that most jobs require you to present information orally in front of audiences of all kinds. People who are successful presenters point to four elements crucial to their effectiveness: a thorough knowledge of the subject at hand, careful attention to the interactive nature of speaking and thus to the needs of the audience, careful integration of verbal and visual information, and practice, practice, and more practice.