Talking to a group
Mr O’Meara

Do: Make Eye Contact
• You don’t have to look at everyone.
• But, you should be looking at someone when
you are speaking.
• Don’t just stare at your notes.
• Don’t just stare at the floor.

Do: Speak Clearly
• Make sure you open your mouth when you
are speaking.
• Project your voice.
– Everyone needs to hear you clearly.
• Don’t mumble.
• Don’t put your hand or a pen in your mouth.

Do: Put Some Life into Your Voice
• Allow yourself to talk more softly at times.
• Allow yourself a louder voice at times.
• Sound confident and interested.
– If you sound bored, your audience will be
bored.

Do: Maintain a Good Pace
• Don’t good too fast or too slow.
– You will probably talk faster when you are
nervous.
– Take a deep breath and slow down.
• Use silence to separate your points.
• Use silence to let information sink in.

Do: Know Your Material
• Expand on what it says in your presentation.
• Don’t just read it word for word.
• Be interesting.

Do: Allow Yourself to Move
• Keep your body moving.
• If you can, walk a little while facing your
audience.
• Use your arms and face to accentuate your
points.
• Don’t just stand there looking scared.
• Don’t turn your back on your audience.

Don’t: Read Your Presentation
• Public speaking is not public reading.
• You should know what you are talking about.
• Practice at home at least three times.
– Better to feel foolish in private than to actually
look foolish in front of people.
• You can have notes, of course.
– But there are there as a backup, not the main
plan.

Don’t: Give Up
• You might feel nervous.
• You might forget something.
• You might forget a few things.
• Keep going.
– You will get to the end soon enough.

Good Luck
• You will be just fine.