Speaking to the Group
As well as taking part in everyday class discussions, you may have to present a report or speech to your group or another audience. You will only have one chance to get your message across. The success of your talk depends on how thoroughly you have prepared.
AUDIENCE
- Who is your audience?
- What do they already know?
- How interested are they?
- What do they expect of you?
- Do you need to take into account their age, sex, level of education, level of experience, linguistic ability or values?
CHOOSING YOUR TOPIC
Do:
- Choose a topic carefully, and choose it early so that you have time to think about it.
- Consider how appropriate the topic is for the audience and the occasion.
- Have a clear idea as to how you will present the topic.
- Have confidence in your own knowledge and ability.
- Use your own experience to help you examine your own thoughts and feelings.
Don't:
- Be afraid of choosing a topic you know nothing about. If you are interested, you will find the facts.
KEY POINTS
- Identify key points and write them down as you think of them.
- List them on separate pieces of paper so that you can play around with their order and put them in logical sequence more easily.
As you start to think about these points you will come up with extra information to add to them.
RESEARCH THE TOPIC
Both you and your audience need to be clear about what sort of talk you are going to give. Will you inform, convince, entertain, impress, or do any combination of these?
- What information do you already know?
- What information do you need to find out?
- Where will you find it? For example, will you look at libraries, videos, magazines, people, newspapers, radio, television or the internet?
- How much information does your audience want/need?
ORGANISE CONTENT
All talks should be broken down into these basic parts:
Introduction: First of all, introduce yourself, get the audience's interest, describe your topic and make clear your objectives and approach.
Body: This is where you discuss and debate your key points, in logical order.
Conclusion: Finally, recall your main points, emphasise your message and present your summary.
Plan your outline considering the subject, definitions, scope, limitations, time restrictions and purpose of talk. Asking yourself who, what, where, how, which, why and when questions can be a useful starting point to organising your information.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Before you give your talk, practice it. It is a good idea at this stage to write down in full what you want to say so that you can practice your delivery. You'll need your first draft, a tape recorder, a large mirror, a stop watch and a time when no one is around.
Record yourself and look for how animated you are, any gestures or mannerisms you use, and eye contact. Time yourself.
Then, ask yourself:
- Is the talk logical and relevant?
- Is the level of material appropriate to the audience?
- Are jargon and technical words kept to a minimum?
- Are there appropriate illustrations and examples?
- Is there evidence to support the talk?
- Does it make sense?
Cue cards: Do not read your talk word-for-word or try to memorise it. When you have prepared the complete version of your talk, set out your key points on cue cards. Cue cards are small, blank cards (which should fit in your hand). In logical order, write down your key points, any aids or activities you will use to illustrate your key points, and timing details.
GIVING THE TALK
Setting up
Preview the venue if possible and arrive before your audience to check that the facilities and equipment are in working order.
Getting audience attention
Your first two sentences should be creative, informative and interesting.
Keeping your audience
People's ability to listen and retain information decreases over time. The longest uninterrupted concentration span is on average only about 20 minutes. You can break up your talk with the use of aids to amplify your message and make it more interesting.
Commonly used aids are:
- Blackboards and whiteboards
- Overhead projectors
- Films and videos
- Charts and handouts.
You can involve your audience by asking them questions and encouraging discussion. If being asked questions by the audience makes you nervous, use the trick of repeating the question to give yourself more time to think of an answer.
It is natural to feel anxious or nervous before speaking to a group. You want to speak well. Take slow, deep breaths, stand behind or near a desk and have a glass of water handy. Remember to speak slowly and clearly, use eye contact, use pauses and aids purposefully and conclude firmly and confidently.
SEARCH THE CATALOGUE
The Online catalogue is available via the LLC website. To find LLC resources on public speaking use these key terms:
- Public speaking
- Public speaking - technique
If you need extra help, ask a librarian! You can do this in person, over the phone (9279 2428), or send email to LLC.
