Prof. Barbara Nixon shares advice on preparing for a speech.

1. PUBLIC SPEAKING
TIPS
Barbara B. Nixon

2. Speech preparation
 Decide on your central theme

3. Speech preparation
 Carefully select your main points

4. Speech preparation
 Prepare one 3" x 5" or 4" x 6" notecard.

5. Speech preparation
 Practice your speech three to six times.
 Record and critique one practice.

6. Speech preparation
 Practice using your visual aid, if you'll have one.

7. Speech preparation
 Time your speech

8. Speech preparation
 Never write out your speech word for word.
 Do not attempt to memorize your speech.

9. Speech preparation
 Breathe.

10. Beginnings & endings
 Primacy Effect
 Recency Effect

11.  DO approach the podium with confidence.

12.  DO establish eye contact with the audience before you
begin to speak.

13.  DO something to get the attention of your audience
before you begin to speak.

14.  DO have your introduction fully thought out and well
prepared.

15.  DON'T apologize.

16.  DON'T be long winded.

17.  DON'T antagonize or offend your audience.

18.  DON'T use irrelevant material.

19.  DON'T start out with, “Today I'm going to talk to you
about...”

20.  DON'T practice your introduction more than you
practice the rest of the speech.

21. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DO keep the style of your conclusion consistent with the
style of the rest of your speech.

22. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DO write out the first
sentence of your conclusion
on your notecard.

23. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DO be succinct and to the point.

24. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T merely stop at the end of your main points and
say, “That's all I have to say.”

25. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T stretch it out. Summarize your main points, then
finish with something the audience will remember.

26. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T apologize.

27. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T introduce new points or material in the
conclusion.

28. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T pack up early.

29. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T continue to speak as you leave the podium.

30. CONCLUSIONS - DO AND
DON'T
 DON'T forget to signal the end of your speech by saying,
“Thank you.”

31. Contact Me
Barbara B. Nixon, Ph.D. (ABD)
 Business Faculty :: Ashworth College
 Life Member & Past President
of the International Listening Association (listen.org)
 E-mail: bnixon@ashworthcollege.edu
 Blog: publicrelationsmatters.com