The document provides tips for speaking confidently in public. It recommends establishing eye contact with the audience as a sign of politeness and education that helps the audience listen attentively and the speaker express their message clearly. It also suggests preparing, practicing, focusing on the audience rather than oneself, simplifying the message, visualizing success, connecting with individuals in the audience, and acting confidently through posture and facial expressions to appear self-assured even when nervous.

2. By
Farooq Ahmad Khan
Lecturer in English Department, KKKUK
Farooq.ahmad@kkkuk.edu.pk

6.  Speaking with confidence means expressing your
opinions with conviction.
 Before speaking, it’s important we make sure we
actually believe what we’re saying.
 Instead, we must show ourselves as firm believers of
our ideas and as people who want others to
participate in them.

7.  First off, eye contact is a sign of good education and
politeness.
 On the other hand, it allows others to listen to what
we say in a more attentive way, which makes them
immerse themselves into our speech.
 Additionally, it helps us express our message more
clearly and boost our confidence.
 Looking down to the floor, up to the ceiling, or at
anyone in particular can make us feel more insecure
and the audience can perceive it, even if you think
they can’t.

8. “Eye contact is way more intimate than words
will ever be.”
-Faraaz Kazi-

9. 1. Expect to be nervous.
 Even experienced speakers get nervous. Don’t try to eliminate your
jitters. Turn them into energy you can use to boost your delivery.
2. Prepare.
 Know what you are going to say – and why you want to say it.
3. Practice.
 Speak to supportive audiences in small forums where less is at
stake – at a staff meeting or a PTA meeting. Join Toastmasters or
take a Dale Carnegie course. Work with a coach.
4. Breathe.
 In the thirty seconds before you begin speaking, take three slow,
deep breaths through your nose, filling your belly. As you breathe
out, say silently to yourself, “Relax.”

10.  5. Rehearse.
 Stand up and walk around as you practice out loud.
Don’t memorize your speech or practice it word for
word. Talk it through, point by point. Imagine you’re
explaining your main ideas to a friend.
 6. Focus on your audience.
 Stage fright is rooted in self-preoccupation. (“How am I
doing?” “Am I making any sense?”) Stop focusing on
yourself. Focus, instead, on your audience. (“How are
you?” “Are you getting this?” “Can you hear me?”)
 7. Simplify.
 Most speakers try to do too much in a speech. Then they
worry about leaving something out or losing their train
of thought. Aim, instead, to communicate one basic idea.
Keep it short and simple.

11.  8. Visualize success.
 Practice relaxation techniques in the days before your
presentation. Lie down or sit comfortably in a quiet place.
Breathe slowly. Close your eyes. Imagine your upcoming
speaking engagement. Picture yourself speaking with
confidence.
 9. Connect with your audience.
 Make the audience your allies. Talk to individuals before your
presentation to get to know them. Look them in the eye as
you speak to them, one person at a time. When your audience
sides with you, your job as a speaker becomes easier.
 10. Act confident.
 People won’t see how nervous you are. (They can’t tell if your
palms are sweating or your knees are knocking or your heart
is pounding.) So don’t tell them. Smile. Stick your chest out.
Look confident, even if you don’t feel it.

12. To appear 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
 It’s also important not to be arrogant when we
express ourselves.