be a better public speaker

although i am not the best public speaker i really improved because I used to be really shy and now i have more self-confidence. I am not afraid to express my opinion

I want to be able to get up in front of large groups of people and deliver an effective and powerful speech. Right now, I am only concerned with a prepared speech but would like to work on impromptu. Anyone advice is appreciated. Thanks.

I’m making attempts! Especially at Aiesec meetings, and through my presentations at college.

So, I think that I can label myself as a good public speaker and presenter. The majority of my college classes required me to speak in front of 200-300 people and I’ve always done it without….any problems.

I think having confidence is really what makes the whole “becoming a better public speaker” thing easier. Going up to a podium thinking you don’t have your shit together, well…it makes it tougher.

I’ve also learned that saying a cute comment like, “You’ll have to bear with me….I have a case of stage fright.” or something like that creates a better mood for you and your audience. Not that they won’t expect more from you….but they’ll know that you, too….are human.

Peace.

I am happy to report that on a scale of 1-10, my public speaking skill now ranges between 4-7, rather than the 2-4 that it was ranging before. (Yes I know 4 thru 7 is a big range, but this seems to be the case right now… a little inconsistent…)

Today was the Senior Colloquium. Every senior graduating from the Africana Studies Department is required to partake in this ceremonial presentation. I spent several nights in the library until 2am preparing for my 12-page research paper in which I had to present to fellow students in the department as well as my professors and other monumental people. I was EXTREMELY nervous. I was ill-prepared to the max. So much that I didn’t even go over my paper or what I was going to say until ten minutes BEFORE presenting.

Well, to make a long story short….I did well! I spoke with clarity, coherence and didn’t go off on tangents. I didn’t stutter, loose my place or pass out like I thought I was going to. I am very proud of myself and well on my way to becoming more confident in my public speaking. Thank you, God!

I find that I speak so much better and more coherent when I am speaking about….MYSELF! I know, I know….excuse my conceit for a moment, but it’s true. I tend to have a great deal of logorrhea when it comes to speaking about me. But anything else—-I struggle to find the right words and how to formulate them so that it makes sense. I am, by no means shy….but I just can’t get it together. I mean, I can…but not as good as I can.

Today I had a public speaking practice session in my Leadership Academy training. I had to get up and give a presentation for which I only had 45 minutes to prepare and practice for. It went really well. I was nervous beforehand, but when I stood up front, and began to talk about music, my passion for it took over and I was able to deliver the presentation easily and with impact. Now I just have to work on getting even better at this before I have to make a bigger presentation in July to our board, and speak before 160 people at Staff Day! Eek!

This is getting easier. I’ve joined Africana Studies Club and am always raising my hand when questions are posed. Although there aren’t many people in the meetings, it still gives me the opportunity to speak my mind. Same thing with the Black Student Union. There are a lot of folx in those meetings so it can be intimidating but I rehearse what I’m going to say in my head and deliever it slowly without saying “um”....I’ve still got some work to do. My thoughts get so jumbled up so quickly and I often get to the point where I start stuttering or not making sense.

Ummmm….that’s not good!

This mostly applies to my classes. A lot of my professors are the type to want to get feedback from the class. Now, I have no problem getting up and talking to people. Often times I want to raise my hand in reference to the questions that are being asked. But a lot of times, I can’t get my thoughts together. And then when I do, I don’t know how to present them to where they make sense. I gotta work on that..