More than death and taxes, the thing people fear most is speaking in public.

Needless to say,
college students are not immune from this terror, which, for you psychology hounds, even has a
name: glossophobia. Unfortunately, in college, it's not always so easy to avoid public speaking.
Some schools have required courses in speech. And even in colleges where speech isn't a subject,
there often is a broad variety of courses that incorporate presentations or reports–and sometimes
full-length seminars–into the regular class activities. Still, there's no need to lose your breakfast
(or lunch or dinner) over your upcoming presentation. Our 15 tips for improving your public
speaking will make even a garden-variety speaker into a real Cicero:

1. Do your homework. Nobody can give a good presentation without putting in some serious
time preparing remarks. Many gifted speakers look as if they're just talking off the cuff, saying
whatever comes to mind. But, in truth, they've spent considerable time figuring out what they're
going to say. You should, too.

4-Star Tip. It's always a good idea to try out your presentation on your professor (or TA) before
giving it in class. Office hours work well for this.

2. Play the parts. Good presentations are structured in sections. Many presentations need only
two or three main points. Organizing your points into a few main parts and telling your audience
what these parts are–both before and as you go through your presentation–can be the difference
between a winning presentation and a loser.

3. Do a dry run. It's always good to do a run-through (or even a couple of run-throughs) the
night before the presentation. This can help with both your timing and your manner of
presentation. Be sure to make mental notes if you went on too long or got nervous or stuck.
Some people find it useful to have a friend pretend to be the audience: He or she can build up
your confidence and maybe even ask a question or two.

4. Look presentable. No need to wear a suit, but it's hard for people to take a presentation
seriously when you look like someone who just rolled out of bed.

5. Talk; don't read. Nobody enjoys seeing a speaker burying his or her face in a script, reading
stiffly from a piece of paper. Try to talk from notes, or, if you use a written-out text, try to look
down at it only occasionally. It's less important that you capture the text word for word than that
you present the main ideas in a natural and relaxed way. (Your practice sessions should help you
here, since they enable you to better remember what you want to say.)

6. Take it slow. The single biggest mistake inexperienced speakers make is going too fast.
Remember that your audience is hearing the material for the first time and isn't nearly as familiar
with the topic as you are.

Extra Pointer. If you find yourself running out of time, either drop or briefly summarize any
leftover material. If your presentation includes a discussion period, gesture at the points you
haven't fully covered and suggest them as things that could be discussed later.
7. Use aids. For certain sorts of presentations, visual aids–such as PowerPoints, handouts, even
things written on the board–can help your audience locate and grasp the main points. Just be sure
to explain these materials fully in your presentation: No one is happy to see an outline that can't
be made heads or tails of.

Extra Pointer. Some presenters find the "speaker notes" feature useful in PowerPoint (you see a
pane with your notes that the audience doesn't see). It sure beats flashcards.

8. Don't bury the crowd. Including massive numbers of quotations or unfathomable amounts of
data can overwhelm even the most attentive audience.

9. Be yourself. As important as the content you present is your authenticity in presenting it, so
don't try to be someone you're not. You'll never succeed.

10. Play it straight. There's no harm in including a little humor in your presentations, especially

if you can carry it off well. But in most college presentations, clowns will get C's.

11. Circle the crowd. A very important part of public speaking is to make eye contact with
people seated in all parts of the room–even those nodding off in the back. That shows people that
you're interested in communicating with them–not just getting through this experience as quickly
as possible. And it wouldn't hurt to go out from in back of the podium or desk and walk around
the room a little. Sharing space with the audience can also communicate your interest in sharing
your results with them, something you surely want to do.

12. Appear relaxed. You don't have to actually be relaxed–few speakers are–but at least try to
appear as relaxed as possible. Bring along some water or a drink, take short breaks from time to
time, and think pleasant thoughts. No one enjoys speakers who are trembling and sweating
bullets.

Professors' Perspective. Some professors throw up before having to lecture. It doesn't happen
often–thankfully–but take consolation in knowing that even very experienced speakers find it
tense to give a lecture.

13. Finish strong. Always be sure to have a satisfying conclusion to your presentation in which
you make clear to the listeners what they now know. It creates a warm feeling in the minds of
your listeners and shows them that they've really learned something from your talk—which they
probably have.

14. Welcome interruptions. Some speakers are terrified that someone will interrupt them with a
question or comment. Actually, this is one of the best things that can happen, because it shows
that someone in the audience has engaged with what you're saying, and, if you have the time to
offer a brief response, it can actually lead to genuine progress on the point you were making.
And two-way conversation (assuming you're minimally good at it) is always a tension-reducer.
15. Know when to stop lecturing. Certain presentations–especially in advanced or upper-
division classes or seminars–can require you to present some material, then lead a discussion. Be
sure to attentively listen to any comments or questions your classmates might raise before
starting on your answer. And in a discussion period, never lecture (only discuss), and be sure to
answer exactly the question asked (don't offer up more canned–but irrelevant–material). In many
classes, how you discuss is as important as how you present.

© Copyright 2010 Professors' Guide LLC. All rights reserved.

Tags: students, education

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______ Speaker approaches the podium with an air of confidence, sets position, makes eye
contact with audience, and pauses appropriately before beginning to speak.

This includes the speaker approaching the podium with good posture and traveling the distance
to the podium at a brisk but controlled speed. The speaker settles in and gives the audience time
to settle down and focus their attention. The speaker greets the audience with his/her eyes,
generally looking at three different fixed points in the audience before beginning to speak. The
speaker does this in a relaxed fashion without rushing.

______Speaker's posture is both professional and relaxed.

If speaking from a podium, the speaker's body position is professional, steady poised, but
relaxed. The position is deliberate. If the speaker is not using a podium and is moving on stage
or in the front of the room, the speaker should stop and set his/her position when making a
specific point during the presentation. Movement should not be random.

______ Speaker makes good eye contact with audience during the presentation.

A speaker should make as much natural eye contact with the audience as he/ she can. For some
speakers this will mean almost continuous eye contact and for some it will mean looking up
frequently enough to stay in contact with the audience. As a general rule, periods of eye contact
should last for at least two to three seconds.

_____ Speaker uses clear and appropriate language.

The speaker must keep in mind that with an oral presentation the listener has no text to refer
back to for clarification of points. Use of simple and clear language is always preferable in an
oral presentation. If the speaker uses "lofty" words and "talks over their audience's head" the
speaker will have failed in his/her effort.

______ Speaker uses appropriate rate of speech and volume.

A speaker's rate of speech should be at a speed and volume that is comfortable for the audience
to listen to. Speaking at a rate that is a bit slower than that of a normal conversational rate is a
good general rule. Also, the volume must be loud enough for the audience to easily hear, but not
so loud that the audience experiences the speaker as shouting. One of the most common mistakes
in oral presentations is for the speaker's rate of speech to be too rapid.

______ Speaker words flow with few verbal distractions.

This includes a presentation with few "ahs" and "ums" and little or no jargon. In addition, clear
annunciation and correct word pronunciation are fundamental.

______ Speaker uses gestures and non-verbal behavior appropriate for the presentation.

Speaker conveys enthusiasm, uses body language that supports the content of the presentation,
and gestures that emphasize main points. The body language is congruent with what is being
said. In addition, the presentation is absent of unconscious movements including touching one's
face, scratching one's head, leaning on the podium, swaying, bouncing or standing on one leg.

______ Speaker respects the time allotted for the presentation and manages the time well.

Speaker does not run too long or too short with the presentation given the assignment and
allotted time. The speaker devotes enough time to each key point and section throughout the
entire presentation. The end of the presentation is not rushed due to poor time management.
STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

______The beginning of the presentation is engaging and clearly signals the start of the
presentation.

The opening should capture the audience's interest and clearly convey the topic or subject of the
presentation.

______The theme, thesis, purpose or central question of the talk is clearly stated.

The audience must clearly understand the subject and purpose of the talk before the end of the
introduction.

______ Necessary background or other information is given to the audience during the
introduction to assist the audience with clarity.

Special terms or vocabulary specific to the subject mater and necessary to understand the topic
area must be clarified during the introduction.

______A clear preview of the presentations' structure and content is incorporated into the
introduction.

The introduction gives the audience an adequate sense of what to expect and where the
presentation is going.

BODY OF THE PRESENTATION

The two most important aspects of the body of a presentation are the content, and the
organization of that content.

______The content material is relevant, clear, up-to-date, varied and sufficient to support the
thesis.
The content must support the speaker's thesis. The speaker's choice of supporting material
should be adequate in quantity and of good quality. The sources cited are correctly cited. The
resource materials used are credible, current, and sufficient in number for the scope of the
presentation.

______The resource materials are incorporated into the content of the presentation in a creative
and logical way in order to make the material that supports the thesis clear and accessible to the
audience.

Specific examples are used to clarify points and to support the thesis. The key points are well
supported by the resources used and there is a logical progression in the building of the
argument.

______The content of the presentation reflects the speaker's high level of knowledge of the
subject area.

Command of the subject area is reflected throughout the presentation.

______The organization of the presentation is clear and points are presented in a logical order.
The organization of the presentation signals clear and smooth transitions between key points.

The audience must be able to easily follow the presentation. The audience for an oral
presentation does not have the advantage of a person reading a paper with a thesis and
argument. The speaker must keep in mind that with an oral presentation the listener has no text
to refer back to for clarification of points. The listener at an oral presentation must be able to
follow the logic and the points easily as the presentation progresses. If the audience can not
follow, the presenter will lose the audience and fail at the presentation.

CONCLUSION

______The conclusion provides a clear summary of the key content points and reinforces the
thesis or main purpose of the presentation.
The audience is refocused on the key points, thesis and purpose of the presentation. The
audience's attention is galvanized on the main points and purpose of the presentation.

______The conclusion is engaging and clearly signals the end of the presentation.

The speaker restates and reinforces the position he/she has taken. The audience experiences a
sense of closure and (if appropriate) a call to action.

QUESTIONS

_______Questions are clearly and correctly answered by the speaker.

Speaker demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the material and answers the audience's questions
directly.

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