checklist for a good speaker prof. monllor english 112
DESCRIPTION
Preparation Select the main points you are going to discuss Look for appropriate information to support each point Think about the questions you may be asked Look up any words you might need to explain your points Prepare your visual materialsTRANSCRIPT
Checklist for a Good Speaker
Prof. MonllorEnglish 112
Attention GetterSome studies have shown that fear of public speaking ranks up there with the fear of death.
Preparation
The Presentation:The attention getter
THINK of an attention catching OPENING, and impact-making, memorable CLOSING.
The Attention Getter
Quotes-Statistics-Anecdote-Picture-Short Video
Pronunciation and Editing Use a dictionary like the
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary to check for pronunciation of difficult words
http://www.m-w.com/http://www.howjsay.com/
Record your speech
AUDIO-EDIT Replace difficult words andphrases with simpler ones.
Rehearsing
• REHEARSE , check your timing
• Know when to STOP talking. Use a timer or the microwave oven clock to time your presentation when preparing it at home.
•Make a list of key words/concepts for each slide •Read through the list before you begin•Don't memorize your text. Think about the ideas, and your words will follow naturally.
Rehearsing
• SPEECH should be not too long nor too short. It is always a good policy to prepare more but speak less
• Speak as it comes to you naturally
• Have few close friends who give you frank & true feedback about your performance.
The Power Point Presentation
• Should have a clear beginning, body, and conclusion
• should have no mistakes• should use parallel structures
– Words– Phrases (usually beginning with a verb)– sentences
Rules 7 x 7
7words per line 7 thoughts per slide
Use appropriate font size
no more than three slides of the same "look-and-feel" in a row
Include a slide with a photograph or graphic to break up a series of bulleted slides.
• Should be Readable– Recommended
• Arial • Tahoma • Veranda
• Use the same font throughout the presentation
Fonts
• Title size 40 point• Subtitle or bullet point size 32
point• Content text should be no smaller than
24 point• Less than 12 point not recommended
Font SizeThe larger, the better
Use of Capital Letters and Italics
• USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in titles or for emphasis, but do not use them throughout the presentation
• Use Italics for– “quotes”– to highlight thoughts or ideas– book, journal, or magazine titles
The Look of your Presentation
• Don’t overload your slides with too much text or data.
• Let the picture or graphic tell the story. Avoid text.
• Number your slides and give them a title.
• Proof read everything, including visuals and numbers
Good, Better, Best
Taken from http://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/slides.html
Use Charts
Taken from http://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/slides.html
The Slide Background
• Using a slide theme is recommended for professional presentations
• Backgrounds should never distract from the presentation
• At a distance a very light color looks like white • Change the background design to attract attention when your
presentation is long or when changing to a new topic
Clothing and appearance•should be comfortable, but appropriate for the occasion
•Avoid very short skirts, shorts, blouses or shirts which show too much skin
POSTURE
• Straight and poised
• Don't Swing, Shift or Jump
• Don't lean on the podium, or put your weight on the podium, board or a table
4 GESTURES
• Start your speech with hands held lightly in front (to avoid nervous gestures). Once you are comfortable allow them freedom.
• Gestures add effect to your speech
• Smile
Don’t Finger tap
Crack your knuckles
Bite or lick your lips
Play with cards, papers or jewelry
Touch or twist your hair
Adjust hair or clothing
EYE CONTACT
Look at the audience
Look at friendly people in the audience
VOICE• Vary your tone of voice
according to what you are saying
• Use your voice to add emphasis, it gives life to your speech
• Speak slowly, enunciate clearly
• Speak to the person farthest away from you to ensure your voice is loud enough to project to the back of the room.
Introduction
• Greet the audience
• State your topic
• Use an attention getter to introduce your topic
Body
• Limit yourself to 3 or 4 main points
• Provide enough support for your main points
• Demonstrate that you have researched your topic through the examples that you provide
Conclusion• Provide an indication that your speech is finished
• Use phrases like– In conclusion– Finally
• Ask if anybody has questions
• If you can’t answer a question, don’t apologize. Say “I don’t have that information. I’ll try to find out for you.”
• Thank the audience
Other
• If you make a mistake and no one notices, continue your speech as if nothing had happened
• If someone points out a mistake ADMIT & correct it
• Do not read from notes
• Speak slowly
• Visualize success
To Control Stage Fright
breathe in and out deeply and slowly
know the pressure points on the body that correspond to relieving anxiety and nervous energy
The center of your upturned palms The center of your chin
Physical Exercises
Hold your fingers tightly in a fist for 10 to 15 seconds
Lower your head, roll it around slowly
Lift and lower your shoulders
• Art of Speaking in Publichttp://www.angelfire.com/ab/speakers/main.htm
• Ten Tips for Public Speakinghttp://www.dentontoastmasters.org/files/
Top10TipsPublicSpeaking.jpg
• Top Ten Slide Tipshttp://www.garrreynolds.com/Presentation/
slides.html
• http://www.cob.sjsu.edu/splane_m/presentationtips.htm