Verbal and Written

Communication

Lecture 30
Practice Public Speaking
Lesson Objective

■ Types of public speaking

■ Tips to improve public speaking

■ Do’s and Don’ts

■ How to be confident

■ What to know about audience

■ Working on fillers and Voice modulation

■ Practice
Public Speaking
■ Public speaking is the process of
communicating information to an audience.

■ It is usually done before a large audience, like

in school, the workplace and even in our
personal lives.
Types of Public Speaking

1. Speaking to Inform
When you give a speech before an audience to impart information on a particular topic or issue, it is said to be an
informative speech. Business presentations, seminars in colleges, class presentations in schools are some examples of
informative speeches.

2. Speaking to Persuade
Persuasive speeches are those where you try to change the way your audience views an idea or product or person and so
on. These speeches aim to influence and change their opinions to either favour or disfavour the subject matter.

3. Speaking to Actuate
Speaking to actuate is a higher level of persuasive speaking. Here, the speaker goes a step beyond persuasion and
convincing. The aim is to motivate people enough to take a specific step—to act. This is a powerful level of speaking.
Very few people have achieved this level of mastery of the art of persuasion where they could so deeply convince
people to move into action.

4. Speaking to Entertain
Ceremonial speeches are another form of public speaking usually given at weddings, funerals, graduation parties,
retirement parties etc. One very important factor to make these speeches effective is to add a personal touch.
Tips to Improve Public Speaking
1. Nervousness Is Normal. Practice and Prepare!
2. Know Your Audience
3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.
4. Keep the focus on the audience and gauge their reactions.
5. Let Your Personality Come Through.
6. Use Effective Language.
7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to.
8. Proper use of non-verbal communication.
9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.
10.Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.
Do’s and Don’ts
The Do’s
1. Grab your audience’s attention starting with your first sentence.
2. Pick the right words to impart your message.
3. Maintain positive eye contact.
4. Use props when appropriate.
5. Practice.
The Don’ts
1. Talk too fast or too slow.
2. Read from your slides.
3. Use “um” or other filler words.
4. Fidget.
5. Pace.
How to be Confident

■ Maintain eye contact with the audience.

■ Use gestures to emphasise points.

■ Move around the stage.

■ Match facial expressions with what you're saying.

■ Reduce nervous habits.

■ Slowly and steadily breathe.

■ Use your voice aptly.

What to know about Audience

Knowing your audience —their general age,

gender, education level, religion, language,
culture, and group membership—is the
single most important aspect of developing
your speech
Working on Fillers and Voice Modulation
Filler Sounds, Filler Words, and Filler Phrases
● Filler Sounds — e.g. um, uh, ah, mm
● Filler Words – e.g. basically, actually, literally
● Filler Phrases – e.g. “I think that”, “you know”, “what I’m trying to say is” All of these — and
there are more in each category — contribute nothing and could be completely wiped from
your vocal patterns without any loss in meaning.
Step 1 — Assess how often you are using filler words.
Step 2 — Understand why you are doing it, and why it is unnecessary.
Step 3 — Raise your level of preparation.
Step 5 — Monitor your progress, and be patient.
Activity

Practice