Public SpeakingPublic Speaking

How to prepare and give a talkHow to prepare and give a talk

What I want to say is, er…What I want to say is, er…

First task: decide what you want to First task: decide what you want to communicate, and to whom!communicate, and to whom!

What are your main points?What are your main points? To whom are you presenting?To whom are you presenting? What do you want people to remember after What do you want people to remember after

they hear you talk?they hear you talk?

Choosing your pointsChoosing your points

Sometimes less is betterSometimes less is better Be very clear and specific… “tobacco is Be very clear and specific… “tobacco is

bad” versus “tobacco kills thousands of bad” versus “tobacco kills thousands of Taiwanese and thus we need tobacco Taiwanese and thus we need tobacco control law”control law”

Use your speech to emphasize your main Use your speech to emphasize your main points, not to parade everything you know points, not to parade everything you know on the subject!on the subject!

Body of speechBody of speech

Introduction: the problem about which you Introduction: the problem about which you will talkwill talk

Body: main points, with explanation, Body: main points, with explanation, specifics, details, stories…specifics, details, stories…

Conclusion: highlight main points againConclusion: highlight main points again

Use (but don’t abuse) repetitionUse (but don’t abuse) repetition

Important to repeat your main pointsImportant to repeat your main points Better to restate them in slightly different Better to restate them in slightly different

termsterms Use the rest of your time to explain or Use the rest of your time to explain or

describe or highlight your main pointsdescribe or highlight your main points Return to main points at endReturn to main points at end

A few hintsA few hints

Prepare your speech in advance—Prepare your speech in advance—depending on your style, either the whole depending on your style, either the whole speech or just an outline (often best to speech or just an outline (often best to speak informally following an outline, rather speak informally following an outline, rather than reading or reciting a prepared speech)than reading or reciting a prepared speech)

Preparation!Preparation! Practice!Practice!

It’s not just what you say…It’s not just what you say…

Look at the audienceLook at the audience Speak slowly…but not sllllllllloooooooooowlySpeak slowly…but not sllllllllloooooooooowly Speak clearlySpeak clearly Use visualsUse visuals Try to tell (short and to the point) storiesTry to tell (short and to the point) stories If possible, engage your audience— If possible, engage your audience—

“remember when”, “have you ever…” etc.“remember when”, “have you ever…” etc.