COMM 1110Barbara B. Nixon

Decide on your central theme

Carefully select your main points

Prepare one 3" x 5" or 4" x 6" notecard.

Practice your speech three to six times.

Tape record and critique one practice.

Practice using your visual aid, if you'll have one.

Time your speech

Never write out your speech word for word.

Do not attempt to memorize your speech.

Breathe.

Primacy Effect

Recency Effect

DO approach the podium with confidence.

DO establish eye contact with the audience before you begin to speak.

DO something to get the attention of your audience before you begin to speak.

DO have your introduction fully thought out and well prepared.

DON'T apologize.

DON'T be long winded.

DON'T antagonize or offend your audience.

DON'T use irrelevant material.

DON'T start out with, “Today I'm going to talk to you about...”

DON'T practice your introduction more than you practice the rest of the speech.

DO keep the style of your conclusion consistent with the style of the rest of your speech.

DO write out the first sentence of your conclusion on your notecard.

DO be succinct and to the point.

DON'T merely stop at the end of your main points and say, “That's all I have to say.”

DON'T stretch it out. Summarize your main points, then finish with something the audience will remember.

DON'T apologize.

DON'T introduce new points or material in the conclusion.

DON'T pack up early.

DON'T continue to speak as you leave the podium.

DON'T forget to signal the end of your speech by saying, “Thank you.”